Providing a valuable overview of regionalism throughout the entire continent, Regionalism in Modern Europe combines both geographical and thematic approaches to examine the origins and development of regional movements and identities in Europe from 1890 to the present.
A wide range of internationally renowned scholars from the USA, the UK and mainland Europe are brought together here in one volume to examine the historical roots of the current regional movements, and to explain why some of them - Scotland, Catalonia and Flanders, among others - evolve into nationalist movements and even strive for independence, while others - Brittany, Bavaria - do not. They look at how regional identities - through regional folklore, language, crafts, dishes, beverages and tourist attractions - were constructed during the 20th century and explore the relationship between national and subnational identities, as well as regional and local identities. The book also includes 7 images, 7 maps and useful end-of-chapter further reading lists.
This is a crucial text for anyone keen to know more about the history of the topical - and at times controversial - subject of regionalism in modern Europe.
This comprehensive and well-structured volume is a must read for anybody interested in the political, social and cultural history of regionalism in Europe. By covering all parts of Europe from North to South and West to East, it also greatly advances the state of research in comparative nationalism studies. The volume studies regionalism from various disciplinary angles, from below and from above, from the Left and the Right, and it shows that regional movements have been a pillar of democracy.