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A Rational Choice Examination of Basque National Identity

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A Rational Choice Examination of Basque National Identity 1 Changing Structures, Changing Identities: A Rational Choice Examination of Basque National Identity A dissertation presented by Alison Uzdella to The Department of Political Science In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Political Science Northeastern University Boston, MA December 2014 2 Changing Structures, Changing Identities: A Rational Choice Examination of Basque National Identity by Alison Uzdella ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities of Northeastern University December, 2014 3 Abstract This study examines the impact of changes in political structures on the articulation of national identity by Basque elites in Spain. Rational choice variants of constructivist theories of identity suggest that elites create identities according to rational calculations, as they attempt to maintain or elevate their group’s status vis-à-vis other groups, as well as their own status within the in-group. Changes in the structures within which elites operate, however, will alter the available choices for the pursuit of goals and rearrange elite preferences. With the introduction of new opportunity structures in the political environment, nationalist elites can be expected to exploit these variables to their advantage. Using primary school textbooks, this investigation traces the articulation of Basque identity from the Franco regime through the democratic transition and Spain’s accession into the European Union in order to demonstrate the changes that have taken place over time. These changes correspond to structural breaks that resulted in an altered political environment. Thus, it is argued that the observed changes in the articulation of Basque national identity are a result of reordered nationalist preferences. 4 Acknowledgements I did not realize it at the time, but this research began in many small ways when I was an undergraduate at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA. It was there, in the Spanish classes that I took with Professor Iglesias, where I first learned about the Basques. Professor Iglesias believed in teaching more than just vocabulary and grammar; her courses were an immersive experience in food, literature, dance and yes, language. She made Spain seem like the most fascinating country in the world and for me, the Basques were a major source of that fascination. It should have been no surprise to me, then, that when I wrote my very first paper in graduate school at Northeastern University, that I opted to research the Basques. That small spark which started in rural Pennsylvania followed me to Boston, Massachusetts and finally, to Madrid, San Sebastian and Bilbao, Spain. A dissertation is a daunting thing. I was fortunate to have been shepherded through this process by my incredibly dedicated committee. My sincerest thanks must first go to my advisor, Professor Amílcar Barreto. Not only has he been instrumental in shaping my thoughts on nations and national identity, he was a significant source of moral and emotional support throughout this trying process. He believed in me when I found it difficult to believe in myself. I am not sure that even he realizes the dramatic impact that he has on the lives of his graduate students, but I am certain that this work 5 would not have come to fruition without his expertise and his encouragement. I would also like to thank Professor Ronald Hedlund, who swooped in to rescue this project and as a result, saved it from catastrophe. Though he was under no obligation to jump onto my committee, he did so enthusiastically and for that I am incredibly grateful. Finally, I would also like to thank Professor Natalie Bormann. Her courses on Europe and on the European Union were instrumental in how I thought about the organization and how I came to conceptualize its possible impact on national identity. Moreover, she helped me to grapple with the dissertation and doctoral process by sharing with me a piece of wisdom that carried me through the difficult last months of this effort: “A PhD is something that you do for yourself.” Those words helped to spur me on when I thought I could not possible write another word or work another moment. At an institution as large as Northeastern, it is rare that administrators are able to connect directly with students; a small number, however, go out of their way to do so. I was fortunate to have had wonderful interactions with a number of administrators who were instrumental in providing support and guidance throughout my time at Northeastern. Amy Killeen, the Director of Graduate Studies for the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, is by far one of the most dedicated administrators with whom I have ever had the pleasure of working. She was not only helpful, she was also incredibly kind. Logan Wangsgard, the Administrative Coordinator of Graduate Programs, wrote an egregious number of emails on my behalf and stayed on top of details that many lesser 6 administrators might have allowed to fall through the cracks. The graduate students of the Political Science Department are incredibly lucky to have him at the helm. Barbara Chin, the administrative assistant for the Department of Political Science, is so much more than an administrator. She is an encyclopedia of information, a wickedly funny friend, and a warm, caring mom for stressed graduate and undergraduate students alike. Barbara made Northeastern feel like home and spending time with her in the office remains one of the fondest memories of my graduate experience. I am deeply indebted to all of the people in Madrid, San Sebastian and Bilbao who were instrumental in my field work and who made the summer that I spent in Spain even better than I ever could have hoped; though I travelled alone, I was never lonely. I am grateful to the staff at the Biblioteca Nacional de España for fulfilling my endless requests for materials and for very patiently answering all of my questions. In San Sebastian, I must recognize the wonderful and dedicated staff at HABE (Instituto Vasco De Alfabetizacion Y Reeuskaldunizacion De Adultos), who were incredibly accommodating of me. Moreover, I must thank the Basques who took an interest in the blonde stranger surrounded by books in the cafes and bars of San Sebastian and Bilbao, taking the time to share some pintxos and talk to me about their lives. They made this research come alive. In particular, I must thank Amaya Carricaburu who unflinchingly invited me into her home and into her family’s history, offering to show me items from the early ikastolas. At the time of our serendipitous meeting in Bilbao, I had been 7 struggling to find those materials and was considering revising my planned course; her kindness made this work, in this form, possible. There is nothing that I have accomplished in my life that I have done without the support of my family and friends. I want to extend my sincerest thanks to Stefanie Skoniecki Crouse. She is proof that every person should be so lucky to have an old friend who can help them not just to get where they are going, but to remind them of where they have been. To the Flying Buttresses—Sarah O’Connell Kline, Rebecca Grudzina, Amy Wagner Mintz, Lauren Gabler Freeman, Katie DeProphetis Bramble and Maria Perozzi Weirschke—who are the very definition of the family that I chose: thank you for making me laugh, for inspiring me and for riding to my rescue whenever the situation called for it. Each of you has given me an example of how to live my life with grace, guts and an incredible sense of humor. I am so honored to call myself one of you. When I moved to Boston nearly a decade ago, I did not know a single soul. However, I was fortunate to have met more than a few individuals who helped to make this city my home. Alisa Houghton Dunlap was the very first friend that I made at Northeastern and without her, I am not sure I would have survived my first year of graduate school. Chris Chanyasulkit and Emily Neal served as constant sources of support and information at Northeastern, sharing their experiences, their wisdom and their lecture notes. I am also grateful to Peter Richardson whose advice and support made 8 the impossible seem possible. I must thank Lacey Bradley-Storey, Diane Bulpett, Christopher Cunningham, Julie Garey, Adam Mosher, and Kristen Hudak Rosero—more famously (or perhaps infamously) known as Tolstoy Reader—with whom I debated politics, teaching philosophies and which band topped Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Each of you has been a fixture of my life in Boston and your influence has made me a better student, teacher, researcher and person. I now also possess more useless trivia than any one person could ever use. To Diane Bulpett, Emily Sypole and M.C. Bulpett: thank you for making my house a home all of these years. Coming home to the three of you was always my favorite part of the day. I have been incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with a family that wholeheartedly supports whatever crazy thing I decide to try, whether it was moving to London, moving to Boston or finishing a dissertation. The Lanes have been a constant source of support, comfort and humor. I am incredibly grateful to my Aunt Char and Uncle Dave for being like a second set of parents to me. I could never thank the two of you enough for making your home mine.
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