When national symbols divide: the case of pan-Catalanism and the Països Catalans

ABSTRACT

Shared symbols are an essential element in nationalist mobilisation. National symbols provide perhaps the strongest, clearest statement of national identity and are socially constructed. The effectiveness of these symbols will determine the success or failure of a political and cultural project. The effectiveness of cultural and political symbols can be seen through examination of the project of pan-Catalanism, the Països Catalans (the Catalan-speaking countries). This political project is rather unusual in the nationalist literature in being unable to advance beyond an embryonic stage. While cultural affinity can be determined within the Catalan-speaking territories, a wider claim to pan-Catalan political identity has foundered. This article argues that the absence of a shared attachment to national symbols in Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearics and other Catalan-speaking areas, provides the principal explanation why successful nation building has not been achieved.

KEYWORDS:

• Catalanism
• nationalism
• cultural movements
• Valencia
• Balearics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. This term applies to the intense political conflict within Valencian society between 1976 and 1981.