Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

The rise of secessionism in Catalonia: A study of the shift in nationalist discourse from an identity perspective

Karlsson, Hilma LU (2019) STVK02 20191
Department of Political Science
Abstract
In 2017 Catalonia held a referendum for independence, after years with an increasingly pro-independence social and political climate. The shift in the nationalist discourse from devolution to secession and increasing support for independence inspired this thesis where the aim is to explore the dynamics behind the change from an identity perspective. With a framework of social identity theory and social representations of history, a critical discourse analytical method is used. Presidential speeches have been studied in order to understand strategies of mobilization in the name of nation and national identity. Guided by the strategies of “Identity Entrepreneurs” the findings show that widespread support could be gained by the inclusionary... (More)
In 2017 Catalonia held a referendum for independence, after years with an increasingly pro-independence social and political climate. The shift in the nationalist discourse from devolution to secession and increasing support for independence inspired this thesis where the aim is to explore the dynamics behind the change from an identity perspective. With a framework of social identity theory and social representations of history, a critical discourse analytical method is used. Presidential speeches have been studied in order to understand strategies of mobilization in the name of nation and national identity. Guided by the strategies of “Identity Entrepreneurs” the findings show that widespread support could be gained by the inclusionary profile of the nationalist movement, maximising mobilisation in a diverse society. Furthermore, that the actualization of historical narratives, both by circumstances and political elite, awakened the sense of threat from Spanish repression and activated conflict and contestation between the Catalan and Spanish identities. Finally, the consequent process of “Othering” the Spanish state and communicating a preferred Catalan identity, led to dual identification becoming increasingly difficult. Providing understanding as to why there was an increasing amount of individuals identifying as exclusively Catalan and supporting independence. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Karlsson, Hilma LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK02 20191
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
catalonia, nationalism, secession, social identity, social representations of history
language
English
id
8975987
date added to LUP
2019-09-06 09:43:28
date last changed
2019-09-06 09:43:28
@misc{8975987,
  abstract     = {{In 2017 Catalonia held a referendum for independence, after years with an increasingly pro-independence social and political climate. The shift in the nationalist discourse from devolution to secession and increasing support for independence inspired this thesis where the aim is to explore the dynamics behind the change from an identity perspective. With a framework of social identity theory and social representations of history, a critical discourse analytical method is used. Presidential speeches have been studied in order to understand strategies of mobilization in the name of nation and national identity. Guided by the strategies of “Identity Entrepreneurs” the findings show that widespread support could be gained by the inclusionary profile of the nationalist movement, maximising mobilisation in a diverse society. Furthermore, that the actualization of historical narratives, both by circumstances and political elite, awakened the sense of threat from Spanish repression and activated conflict and contestation between the Catalan and Spanish identities. Finally, the consequent process of “Othering” the Spanish state and communicating a preferred Catalan identity, led to dual identification becoming increasingly difficult. Providing understanding as to why there was an increasing amount of individuals identifying as exclusively Catalan and supporting independence.}},
  author       = {{Karlsson, Hilma}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The rise of secessionism in Catalonia: A study of the shift in nationalist discourse from an identity perspective}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}