The Decentralization of Spain as a Political Nation

This chapter enquires into the rival views about the structure of the state, the concept of ‘nationalities’ and the very idea of Spain as a nation in the constituent assembly of 1977–1978. In the first part, the conflicting understandings of regional autonomy as self-rule are discussed. In the second part, disagreements around the concept of ‘nationalities’ are surveyed to understand why that concept was eminently controversial. In the third part, ethnic and institutional interpretations about Spain as a political nation are contrasted with each other. To nationalist parties state decentralization was regarded as an instrument to hinder the unity of the Spanish nation in the long run.