Historical regions in Spain
Encyclopedia
Nationalities or historical nationalities , in Spain
, is the term used to refer to specific regions that were granted by the 1978 Constitution
a special status as Autonomous Communities.
While the Constitution was being drafted, the term made reference to the three specific regions that had approved or were about to approve a Statute of Autonomy
during the Second Spanish Republic
—Catalonia
, the Basque country
and Galicia—which were to be granted self-government through a fast and simplified process. Because of this, there were mass demonstrations in Andalusia
, in southern Spain, for its recognition as a nationality as well, and its right to self-government. In the final version of the constitution, all nationalities and regions of Spain were to be devolved autonomy, albeit asymmetrically, under very specific stipulations, and if their provinces requested so. The three historical nationalities acceded to autonomy almost automatically or fast-track, whereas the rest of the regions, Andalusia included, received autonomy in compliance with the 152nd and 153rd articles of the Constitution.
The Spanish Constitution
(Preliminary Title, Section 2) states the following:
The term nationality was a consensus solution trying to conciliate the centralist and old-regime positions, who consider these regions part of the indivisible unity of Spain, with the nationalists from the Basque Country, Catalonia etc., who consider those territories as nations (see also nationality vs. nation).
Actually, only the Catalan statute was active before the Spanish Civil War
. Andalusia statute of autonomy
was drawn and submitted by Blas Infante
at the same time, then approved by parliament in June 1936, to be voted in referendum in September 1936. However the start of the Civil War in July and the assassination of Infante by Franco's rebels in August of the same year put an end to the autonomic project for Andalusia. The Basque statute was approved during the war and was effective only on the limited part of the region under the control of the Basque Government.
The current Spanish Constitution—as the keystone of the troubled yet successful Spanish transition to democracy
—is a compromise of diverse and often opposing views. As such, it has been open to interpretation, especially in the dispositions regarding the territorial organization of the country. While it has been argued that the term nationality made reference to the three historic ones, these are not explicitly mentioned in the constitution. Moreover, the constitution established that the internal organization of the states was built upon the "municipalities, the provinces, and the autonomous communities that may be constituted", thus being ambiguous as to which entity was considered the building block of the administrative organization. Arguably, the so-called autonomous communities, as political bodies, where meant for the historic nationalities while the rest of the regions could have taken on another organizational structure, including a centralized one. Nonetheless, after the Andalusian Statute of Autonomy was passed, all the regions opted for the Autonomous Community decentralized model. This opened the phase dubbed in Spanish with the expression café para todos or coffee for all, which means that all regions would be served the same—that is, all regions could accede to self-government in the same degree— regardless of any given nationality or region status.
In practical terms, the extension of the descentralized model, though still retaining an asymmetrical form, opened a source of complaint in the nationalities, especially in Catalonia. Both Andalusia and Galicia are among the biggest net beneficiaries of inter-community state-sponsored economic funding while the Basque Country and Navarra secured its own finances apart from the state-wide ones based on their historical charter
system. Thus, Catalan parties have been the most vocal in their dissatisfaction with the generalization of this autonomic model, especially in the financial chapter (only the two chartered communities enjoy financial autonomy, while the rest are common-regime communities, which administer a share of the taxes they collect for the central government). In their pursue for a more asymmetric
, extended and customized devolution of power, the Generalitat of Catalonia has tried to distinguish itself from common-regime autonomous communities searching for more regional empowerment and aiming to retain and administer the taxes collected locally, as it is currently done in the chartered communities (Navarre, and the Basque Country). Moreover, the extended use of the term nationality aside of the three historic ones, has led to political movements in the latter—and in Andalusia as well—to move a step higher in being recognized as nations within the Spanish State. In the new Catalan Statute of Autonomy
, the term was introduced in the draft by the Catalan Parliament, but later removed in the final version approved by the Spanish Parliament.
On the face of a Constitution which remains open and vague about these topics, practice has become that the rest of common regime autonomous communities typically follow wherever Catalonia leads, thus vanishing whatever practical distinction between nationality and region, (the distinction factor being the degree of devolution of power) regardless of how the autonomous community identifies itself. Accordingly, in the 2006-2007 period a number of autonomies, including some originally slow-track ones (Andalusia, the Valencian Community, Balearics) also self-styled themselves as nationalities at the time of amending their respective statutes of autonomy, and this list is likely to grow in future amendments of other statutes of autonomy.
, since, to stay in control of the whole country, those will need the votes of regional nationalist parties whose agendas are typically at odds with the Spanish national one.
Similarly, on the face of the extra bureaucracy imposed by the regional governments and mounting regional demands asking for additional funds, it has been argued by media such as the Financial Times
that "café para todos is a stimulating brew no one wants to forgo. When the waiter comes, however, no one wants to pay the bill."
s of autonomy as nationalities, therefore legally recognized as such are: Andalusia
(1981 and 2006 statutes), Aragon
(1996), Balearic Islands
(1983 and 2007), Canary Islands
(1996), Catalonia
(1979 and 2006), Valencia
(1982 and 2006), Galicia (1981) and Basque Country
(1979). The rest chose diverse names to identify themselves such as regions or having historical regional identity (Murcia
, Extremadura
, Castile-La Mancha
), historical communities (Asturias
, Cantabria
, Castile and León
), having historical identity (La Rioja
) and as a chartered community (Navarre
). The Community of Madrid, on the other hand, was constituted as an autonomous community in the nation's interest by a prerogative of the Cortes Generales
despite being part of the historical region of Castile-La Mancha.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, is the term used to refer to specific regions that were granted by the 1978 Constitution
Spanish Constitution of 1978
-Structure of the State:The Constitution recognizes the existence of nationalities and regions . Preliminary Title As a result, Spain is now composed entirely of 17 Autonomous Communities and two autonomous cities with varying degrees of autonomy, to the extent that, even though the Constitution...
a special status as Autonomous Communities.
While the Constitution was being drafted, the term made reference to the three specific regions that had approved or were about to approve a Statute of Autonomy
Statute of Autonomy
Nominally, a Statute of Autonomy is a law hierarchically located under the constitution of a country, and over any other form of legislation...
during the Second Spanish Republic
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
—Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, the Basque country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
and Galicia—which were to be granted self-government through a fast and simplified process. Because of this, there were mass demonstrations in Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, in southern Spain, for its recognition as a nationality as well, and its right to self-government. In the final version of the constitution, all nationalities and regions of Spain were to be devolved autonomy, albeit asymmetrically, under very specific stipulations, and if their provinces requested so. The three historical nationalities acceded to autonomy almost automatically or fast-track, whereas the rest of the regions, Andalusia included, received autonomy in compliance with the 152nd and 153rd articles of the Constitution.
The Spanish Constitution
Spanish Constitution of 1978
-Structure of the State:The Constitution recognizes the existence of nationalities and regions . Preliminary Title As a result, Spain is now composed entirely of 17 Autonomous Communities and two autonomous cities with varying degrees of autonomy, to the extent that, even though the Constitution...
(Preliminary Title, Section 2) states the following:
- "The Constitution is based on the indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards; it recognizes and guarantees the right to self-government of the nationalities and regions of which it is composed and the solidarity among them all." (emphasis added)
The term nationality was a consensus solution trying to conciliate the centralist and old-regime positions, who consider these regions part of the indivisible unity of Spain, with the nationalists from the Basque Country, Catalonia etc., who consider those territories as nations (see also nationality vs. nation).
Actually, only the Catalan statute was active before the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
. Andalusia statute of autonomy
Andalusian nationalism
Andalusian nationalism or Andalusian regionalism, sometimes referred as Andalucismo in Spanish, is the name given to the political movement in Spain advocating the recognition of Andalusian people as a "nation". It is considered to be represented primarily by the Andalusian Party but there are also...
was drawn and submitted by Blas Infante
Blas Infante
Blas Infante Pérez de Vargas . Blas Infante was an andalusist politician, writer, historian and musicologist, known as the "Father" of Andalusian fatherland ....
at the same time, then approved by parliament in June 1936, to be voted in referendum in September 1936. However the start of the Civil War in July and the assassination of Infante by Franco's rebels in August of the same year put an end to the autonomic project for Andalusia. The Basque statute was approved during the war and was effective only on the limited part of the region under the control of the Basque Government.
Café para todos
Spanish transition to democracy
The Spanish transition to democracy was the era when Spain moved from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco to a liberal democratic state. The transition is usually said to have begun with Franco’s death on 20 November 1975, while its completion has been variously said to be marked by the Spanish...
—is a compromise of diverse and often opposing views. As such, it has been open to interpretation, especially in the dispositions regarding the territorial organization of the country. While it has been argued that the term nationality made reference to the three historic ones, these are not explicitly mentioned in the constitution. Moreover, the constitution established that the internal organization of the states was built upon the "municipalities, the provinces, and the autonomous communities that may be constituted", thus being ambiguous as to which entity was considered the building block of the administrative organization. Arguably, the so-called autonomous communities, as political bodies, where meant for the historic nationalities while the rest of the regions could have taken on another organizational structure, including a centralized one. Nonetheless, after the Andalusian Statute of Autonomy was passed, all the regions opted for the Autonomous Community decentralized model. This opened the phase dubbed in Spanish with the expression café para todos or coffee for all, which means that all regions would be served the same—that is, all regions could accede to self-government in the same degree— regardless of any given nationality or region status.
In practical terms, the extension of the descentralized model, though still retaining an asymmetrical form, opened a source of complaint in the nationalities, especially in Catalonia. Both Andalusia and Galicia are among the biggest net beneficiaries of inter-community state-sponsored economic funding while the Basque Country and Navarra secured its own finances apart from the state-wide ones based on their historical charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
system. Thus, Catalan parties have been the most vocal in their dissatisfaction with the generalization of this autonomic model, especially in the financial chapter (only the two chartered communities enjoy financial autonomy, while the rest are common-regime communities, which administer a share of the taxes they collect for the central government). In their pursue for a more asymmetric
Asymmetric federalism
Asymmetric federalism or asymmetrical federalism is found in a federation or confederation in which different constituent states possess different powers: one or more of the states has considerably more autonomy than the other substates, although they have the same constitutional status. The...
, extended and customized devolution of power, the Generalitat of Catalonia has tried to distinguish itself from common-regime autonomous communities searching for more regional empowerment and aiming to retain and administer the taxes collected locally, as it is currently done in the chartered communities (Navarre, and the Basque Country). Moreover, the extended use of the term nationality aside of the three historic ones, has led to political movements in the latter—and in Andalusia as well—to move a step higher in being recognized as nations within the Spanish State. In the new Catalan Statute of Autonomy
Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia
The Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia provides Catalonia's basic institutional regulations. It defines the rights and obligations of the citizens of Catalonia , the political institutions of the Catalan nationality, their competences and relations with the rest of Spain, and the financing of the...
, the term was introduced in the draft by the Catalan Parliament, but later removed in the final version approved by the Spanish Parliament.
On the face of a Constitution which remains open and vague about these topics, practice has become that the rest of common regime autonomous communities typically follow wherever Catalonia leads, thus vanishing whatever practical distinction between nationality and region, (the distinction factor being the degree of devolution of power) regardless of how the autonomous community identifies itself. Accordingly, in the 2006-2007 period a number of autonomies, including some originally slow-track ones (Andalusia, the Valencian Community, Balearics) also self-styled themselves as nationalities at the time of amending their respective statutes of autonomy, and this list is likely to grow in future amendments of other statutes of autonomy.
Political consequences
The current system established by the Spanish Constitution sets what some observers have defined as a trap for governments without an absolute majority in the Cortes GeneralesCortes Generales
The Cortes Generales is the legislature of Spain. It is a bicameral parliament, composed of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate . The Cortes has power to enact any law and to amend the constitution...
, since, to stay in control of the whole country, those will need the votes of regional nationalist parties whose agendas are typically at odds with the Spanish national one.
Similarly, on the face of the extra bureaucracy imposed by the regional governments and mounting regional demands asking for additional funds, it has been argued by media such as the Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
that "café para todos is a stimulating brew no one wants to forgo. When the waiter comes, however, no one wants to pay the bill."
Current situation
As of 2007, the autonomous communities which are defined in their statuteStatute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
s of autonomy as nationalities, therefore legally recognized as such are: Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
(1981 and 2006 statutes), Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
(1996), Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
(1983 and 2007), Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
(1996), Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
(1979 and 2006), Valencia
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
(1982 and 2006), Galicia (1981) and Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
(1979). The rest chose diverse names to identify themselves such as regions or having historical regional identity (Murcia
Murcia
-History:It is widely believed that Murcia's name is derived from the Latin words of Myrtea or Murtea, meaning land of Myrtle , although it may also be a derivation of the word Murtia, which would mean Murtius Village...
, Extremadura
Extremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
, Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha is an autonomous community of Spain. Castile-La Mancha is bordered by Castile and León, Madrid, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, and Extremadura. It is one of the most sparsely populated of Spain's autonomous communities...
), historical communities (Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
, Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
, Castile and León
Castile and León
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
), having historical identity (La Rioja
La Rioja (Spain)
La Rioja is an autonomous community and a province of northern Spain. Its capital is Logroño. Other cities and towns in the province include Calahorra, Arnedo, Alfaro, Haro, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and Nájera.-History:...
) and as a chartered community (Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
). The Community of Madrid, on the other hand, was constituted as an autonomous community in the nation's interest by a prerogative of the Cortes Generales
Cortes Generales
The Cortes Generales is the legislature of Spain. It is a bicameral parliament, composed of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate . The Cortes has power to enact any law and to amend the constitution...
despite being part of the historical region of Castile-La Mancha.
See also
- Historical regions of Spain (desambiguation)Historical regions of SpainHistorical regions of Spain can refer to:*"Nationalities" or "historical nationalities" , a constitutional term used to refer to autonomous communities in Spain that are granted special status .*The "historical regions" identified in the text of the 1833...
- Nationalisms and regionalisms of Spain
- Politics of Spain: The nationality debate