Durham E-Theses Challenging Rules: A study of minority nationalist party rhetoric and strategy in Catalonia, Corsica and Scotland WALKER, EDWARD How to cite: WALKER, EDWARD (2019) Challenging Rules: A study of minority nationalist party rhetoric and strategy in Catalonia, Corsica and Scotland , Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/13131/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 CHALLENGING RULES A study of minority nationalist party rhetoric and strategy in Catalonia, Corsica and Scotland Edward Walker, Durham University Political norms and rules, whether discursive or formally embodied in constitutions and laws, regulate and constrain the spectrum of legitimate political action for political actors. In the case of major political principles and constitutional law, these norms and rules are particularly difficult to challenge and change. For most political parties operating broadly within the boundaries of their respective domestic political system, this is seldom an issue. In recent years however, several countries across Europe have faced a significant challenge from minority nationalist parties seeking recognition, major constitutional reforms and, in some cases, political independence for the territory they claim to represent. In this thesis, I analyse the various ways in which minority nationalist parties seek to challenge the rules and norms that prevent the legitimate realisation of their political goals. Simultaneously, I also analyse the ways in which the normative framework within which these parties operate domestically affects the nature of their political discourse and demands, with various parties adopting different discourses and emphasising different demands depending on the nature of the political system within which they operate. To successfully challenge established norms and rules, minority nationalist parties have also drawn upon different tools to legitimate their demands, ranging from the pursuit of political recognition to domestic electoral success and international lobbying within European institutions. Looking at these various elements, and drawing on three major European case studies (Catalonia, Corsica and Scotland), I develop a framework to analyse and understand why minority nationalist parties ‘speak’ and ‘act’ the way they do, providing a starting point for further, norm-focused comparative research on the fundamental challenge brought forward by minority nationalist parties in Europe and in other regions of the world. Edward Walker School of Government and International Affairs 0 | P a g e Edward Walker – School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University Challenging Rules A study of minority nationalist party rhetoric and strategy in Catalonia, Corsica and Scotland. Edward Walker A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University Submitted in 2018. 1 | P a g e Edward Walker – School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University Contents Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................... 4 Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................. 5 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 7 Minority Nationalism .......................................................................................................................... 8 Purpose of the study, conceptual tools and methodological approach. .......................................... 10 Case Selection ................................................................................................................................... 17 Thesis structure ................................................................................................................................. 25 1. Constructivism: agency, rules, structure, mutual constitution. ............................................. 28 Constructivism: agency, rules, structure, mutual constitution. ........................................................ 31 Agency ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Rules and/or norms? ..................................................................................................................... 34 Are norms and rules the same? .................................................................................................... 40 Structure ....................................................................................................................................... 43 The concept of ‘mutual constitution’. .......................................................................................... 46 Identities and interests ................................................................................................................. 51 Inequality and change ....................................................................................................................... 54 Rules yield rule .............................................................................................................................. 54 Change in constructivism .............................................................................................................. 56 Norm diffusion: norm entrepreneurs, norm life cycle and change. ............................................. 60 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 63 2. Methodological Considerations ........................................................................................... 65 The data collection process: social media, interviews, analysis ....................................................... 66 Social media collection.................................................................................................................. 68 The interview process ................................................................................................................... 73 Data analysis ................................................................................................................................. 76 Case selection – Catalonia, Corsica and Scotland ............................................................................. 82 Party size ....................................................................................................................................... 82 Key Electoral Contests ................................................................................................................... 83 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 85 3. Self-determination and minority nationalist identity and interests....................................... 88 Self-determination – definitions, history. ......................................................................................... 89 ‘Peopleness’ and territory ............................................................................................................. 92 External vs internal self-determination ........................................................................................ 94 2 | P a g e Edward Walker – School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University Establishing ‘peopleness’ .................................................................................................................. 95 ‘Internal self-determination’ and minority nationalist grievances ................................................. 102 Scotland....................................................................................................................................... 103 Catalonia ..................................................................................................................................... 117 Corsica ......................................................................................................................................... 125 Common normative challenges, common solutions, common difficulties: self-determination, and the rhetoric of minority nationalist parties. ................................................................................... 132 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................