The London School of Economics and Political Science The Impact of European Integration on Minority Nationalist Mobilisation in France Emelyne Cheney A thesis submitted to the European Institute of the London School of Economics and Political Science for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, September 2009 UMI Number: U615B09 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U615B09 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 TfteSe-5 F w<\ rI \ Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the London School of Economics and Political Science is my own work. 2 Abstract The EU provides a new context for minority nationalist parties, not only to conceive their long-term political project, but also to organise their mobilisation. New institutional and representational opportunities have emerged from multi-level European politics, through the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the EU Regional Policy, etc. This thesis looks at the impact of European integration on minority nationalist mobilisation in France. The French position on internal diversity-still largely influenced by Jacobinism - is emblematic of the tensions existing between minority nationalism and the concept of nation-state. This makes it a valuable “hard” case to assess the significance of the EU for minority nationalist contestation in member states. Evidence gathered from three parties in Brittany (UDB), Corsica (UPC) and the Northern Basque Country (AB) shows that minority nationalists have found it hard to participate in European politics and to access the European political space. As a result of a lack of institutional recognition and parliamentary representation, minority nationalists in France are constrained to operate exclusively at the local level. Consequently, and unlike many minority nationalists in Europe, none of these parties have conceived the EU as an alternative to their relations with the French state and/or fully reformulated their demands in accordance with the European level. European integration has nevertheless entered the strategic considerations of minority nationalists in France, albeit to different degrees. Unlike what could be expected from their trans-border identity, Northern Basque nationalists have perceived the least opportunity in Europe for their mobilisation. It is argued that this is because AB does not mobilise in an institutionalised region. The regional status of Brittany and Corsica has involved both regions in the European policy-making process and this is why European resources have proved valuable to the UDB and the UPC. In the end, though, the comparison of the Breton and Corsican cases shows that the value of Europe as a strategy is contingent on the level of exclusivity that minority nationalists can claim on the European issue within their local political spheres. 3 Acknowledgements Many persons have helped me through the long and difficult journey that is a PhD, but none of it would have been possible without my supervisors, Dr. Gwen Sasse and Dr. Jennifer Jackson-Preece. I am still not sure of what Gwen and Jennifer saw in the confused research proposal they received nearly five years ago! Their supervision has turned it into a thesis that not only fits with the rigour of academia, but also feels like my own piece of work. Gwen has been a constant source of encouragement, patiently guiding me through my research while also providing the freedom to develop my ideas at my own pace. Jennifer’s enthusiasm and advice have also been key to this project. I cannot thank them enough for all the time and support they have given me and I am indebted to their immense help in carrying out what feels like a great personal achievement. Studying at the LSE has given me the opportunity to meet extraordinarily gifted individuals. Ronan and Tine have been by my side from the very first day, often showing me the way into the ups and downs of PhD life. I could not have hoped for better companions to embark on this adventure. Mariana’s conviviality has also been one of the highlights of my time at the LSE, while Katjana has brought fun to countless lunch, coffee and cigarette breaks. Raya’s aerobics class, heated discussions with Kyriakos, drinks at the George with the J14 crew-Alison, Bryon, Costi, Lior, Maria, Matthias, Max, Nadine, Niclas, Sofia, Valentina, Zsofi and the others - have also contributed to the completion of this research. Last but not least, Ryan and his inspired email banter were the only things putting a smile on my face during the long writing days. My friends and family have never let me forget who I was independently of the huge task ahead of me. This has been more precious and important than they could imagine. Adrienne, Charlotte, Marina and Pauline have accompanied me throughout this experience, each of them supporting me in a unique and irreplaceable way. A lot of credit goes to them for bearing with my doubts, informing my decisions, celebrating the good times and comforting me when life seemed harder. This is my occasion to thank them for being such great friends. Alex has, in more ways than one, given me the confidence to start this project and, since then, he has never missed a chance to say how proud he was of me! I am also grateful to Sylvain for broadening my horizons and challenging my deepest assumptions, among the many things he has taught me. Mia, Natalia, Rebecca and Sarah have played a big part, inspiring me to reach the academic excellence that comes to them so naturally. Through all weathers, Antoine has been the perfect accomplice to unwind over a cheeky pint at the pub, merci! My housemates, Julian & Ish, Damion and especially Cat also deserve a mention for putting up with my moods and making our home so friendly. My last thanks go to Vincent, Isabelle, Marion and Alexandre who have always believed in me, for this is what kept me going until the end. 4 This PhD would not have been the same without the insights provided by passionate individuals from the Basque Country, Brittany and Corsica. I thank more particularly Menane Oxandabaratz, Max Simeoni, Herri Gourmelen and Nicole Logeaisfor their help during my fieldwork. I also want to acknowledge the funding I received from the European Institute of the LSE and the Central Research Fund of the University of London, as well as the help of scholars who have read and commented on my work at different stages of this research: Prof. Michael Keating, Prof. John Loughlin, Prof. Christian Lequesne, Prof. Alistair Cole, Prof. Helen Wallace, Dr. Simon Glendenning and Dr. Bob Hancke. Finally, I would like to dedicate this thesis to my grand-father, Bernard Cheney, with all my love. 5 Table of Contents Declaration ................. 2 Abstract ....................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements.................................................................................................... 4 Table of Contents .................................................. 6 Chapter 1 - Introduction ............................................................................................ 8 1.1. Studying the impact of European integration 10 1.2. Shortcomings of the literature on minority nationalist parties 13 1.3. Factors influencing party responses to Europe 17 1.3.1. Trans-border identity 18 1.3.2. Regional institutionalisation 19 1.3.3. Dynamics of party competition 20 1.4. Comparative case study approach 21 1.4.1. Trans-border identity 25 1.4.2. Regional institutionalisation 25 1.4.3. Dynamics of party competition 26 1.5. Time period and sources 27 1.6. Thesis organisation 28 Chapter 2 - Minority nationalist parties and European integration ......................30 2.1. Defining the object of this research: minority nationalist parties 30 2.1.1. What is minority nationalism? 30 2.1.2. Minority nationalists as political parties 36 2.1.3. The impact of minority nationalist parties 40 2.2. European integration and minority nationalist parties 43 2.2.1. The EU: A new framework for minority demands? 43 2.2.2. European developments affecting minority nationalist mobilisation 46 2.3. Conclusion 50 Chapter 3 - France as a context for minority nationalist mobilisation ................51 3.1. Jacobinism and French nation 51 3.1.1. The legacy of the French Revolution 52 3.1.2. Refusal of minority and group rights 53 3.1.3. Limited accommodation of regional diversity 54 3.2. The French unitary state 57 3.2.1. The decentralisation reforms. 57 3.2.2. The limited political assertiveness of regions 60 3.2.3. The 2003-2004 reforms 62 3.2.4. EU regional policy 64 3.3. Corsica 66 3.3.1. An exception in the French Republic 66 3.3.2. No official recognition of the Corsican people 68 3.3.3. The Matignon Process 69 3.4. France as a context for minority nationalist mobilisation 70 Chapter 4 - The Unione di U Populu Corsu ............................................................72 6 4.1. The Corsican nationalist movement 72 4.2. The Unione di U Populu Corsu 77 4.2.1. Before 1989 77 4.2.2. The UPC in the European Parliament (1989-1994) 80 4.2.3. Europe and the "legal action” rhetoric 85 4.2.4. A new strategy of internationalisation 90 4.3. Summary of European responses 95 Chapter 5 - Abertzaleen Batasuna .......................................................................... 97 5.1.