Nationalism, Liberalism and Language in Catalonia and Flanders

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Daniel Cetrà

   Pages 1-9

3. Revisiting Liberal Nationalism

   • Daniel Cetrà

   Pages 11-30

4. The Politics of Language and Nationalism

   • Daniel Cetrà

   Pages 31-54

5. Nationalism in Catalonia and Flanders

   • Daniel Cetrà

   Pages 55-86

6. The Catalan Linguistic Dispute

   • Daniel Cetrà

   Pages 87-123

7. The Flemish Linguistic Dispute

   • Daniel Cetrà

   Pages 125-167

8. Debating within Liberal Nationalism

   • Daniel Cetrà

   Pages 169-191

9. Conclusion: Speaking for the Nation

   • Daniel Cetrà

   Pages 193-204

10. Back Matter

    Pages 205-210

    PDF

Is liberalism really compatible with nationalism? Are there limits to linguistic nation-building policies? What arguments justify the imposition of national languages? This book addresses these questions by examining the linguistic disputes in Catalonia and Flanders, two major cases of sub-state nationalism. The book connects two strands of arguments: the political arguments around contested linguistic policies, drawing on a rich set of primary and secondary sources, and the theoretical arguments around liberalism and nationalism. The study also compares the historical trajectory and political dynamics of Catalan and Flemish nationalism. It shows that the relationship between language and nationhood is politically constructed through state nation-building and minority activism. The findings highlight the relevance and pervasiveness of nationalism in contemporary social and political life. This book will appeal to scholars and upper-level students interested in nationalism, contemporarypolitical theory, the politics of language, and comparative territorial politics.

• political theory
• nationalism
• liberalism
• communitarianism
• Will Kymlicka
• Charles Taylor
• Brian Barry
• linguistic justice
• language rights
• ethnolinguistic mobilization
• Catalan nationalism
• Flemish nationalism
• Nation-building
• immersion system
• territoriality
• Flemish Periphery
• liberal nationalism
• language debates
• Contextual Analysis
• facility communes

“This is a most timely book. It is about more than linguistic rights in Catalonia and Flanders; it is about the nature of nationalism itself. Elegantly argued, it shows how language debates are, at core, about nationalism and national identity.” (David McCrone, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Edinburgh, UK)

“We owe much to Daniel Cetrà for this especially rich comparative account of Catalonia and Flanders. The book is inspiring, accessible and makes a major contribution to the scholarly literature on nationalism and multinational democracies. Cetrà urges us to recognize the relevance of cultures, identities and territories in the management of diversity and contributes to rethink power dynamics in the search for equality and fairness.” (Alain-G. Gagnon, Canada Research Chair in Quebec and Canadian Studies, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada)

“Cetrà’s book is an incisive and timely examination of language battles in multi-ethnic states. It is especially welcome for its thoughtful integration of theory and comparative analysis.” (Bernard Yack, Lerman Neubauer Professor of Democracy and Public Policy, Brandeis University, USA)

• University of Aberdeen and Centre on Constitutional Change, Edinburgh, UK

  Daniel Cetrà

​Daniel Cetrà is Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen and the Centre on Constitutional Change, Edinburgh, UK. He specialises in nationalism, independence movements and minority rights.

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