Diversity and nationalism in the Basque Country and Flanders: understanding immigrants as fellow minorities

Abstract

Why have immigrant integration policies in the Basque Country and Flanders been framed according to multicultural principles? This paper offers an addendum to rationalist and institutionalist approaches, arguing that we cannot make sense of multicultural policies in these two cases without considering the interplay between historical narratives that undergird the nation and elite decision-making. Narratives of cultural oppression have been essential for nationalist mobilization in the Basque Country and Flanders. In turn, the choice of multiculturalism over assimilation by sub-state elites made sense because it fits with their understanding of the nation as an oppressed group.

Keywords:

• nationalism
• immigration
• Basque Country
• Flanders
• multiculturalism

Notes on contributors

Sanjay Jeram earned his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and is currently Assistant Professor at Brock University. His research explores the relationship between national identity and immigration in Spain and other contexts. He is currently working on a book manuscript entitled Newcomers to the Basque Country: Multiculturalism in a Divided Society. He has recently published articles in Ethnic and Racial Studies, Ethnopolitics, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science.

Ilke Adam is a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute for European Studies of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and a part-time lecturer at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. She holds a Ph.D. in social and political science from the Université Libre de Bruxelles and recently published a book based on her doctoral dissertation entitled Les entités fédérées belges et l'intégration des immigres. Politiques publiques comparée.

Notes

1. PNV formed a tripartite government with Ezker Batua-Berdeak (EBB) and Eusko Alkartasuna during the period in which the first two immigration plans were drawn up. Members of EBB held the key posts in the Ministry of Housing and Social Affairs and Immigration Directorate from 2001 to 2009.

2. This percentage would be even higher if those who recently obtained Spanish citizenship are included in the statistic.

3. Statistical Overview of Belgium: Key Figures 2011, http://statbel.fgov.be/en/binaries/Key%20figures2011_en_tcm327-148284.pdf (accessed 21 May 2013).

4. Vlaamse Raad [Flemish Council], Proceedings, 20 April 1983, p. 656.

5. Vlaams Parlement [Flemish Parliament] (1988–1989), Document, 193, nr 1, Immigration Policy Note proposed by J. Lenssens (Flemish Community Minister for Wellbeing and Family), pp. 5–6.

6. Vlaams Parlement [Flemish Parliament] (1997–1998), Proceedings, nr 37, p. 30 and x.

7. Vlaams Parlement [Flemish Parliament] (1997–1998), Proceedings, nr 37, p. 30 and x.

8. Regulation of the Flemish Government, 21 March 2003.