Review by Choice Review
This is an original, provocative approach to the study of minority nationalist movements. Challenging the conventional secessionist/non-secessionist dichotomy, Lluch (Univ. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras) argues that national parties tend to pursue either "independentist," "autonomist," or "federalist" agendas. Furthermore, there are significant subtypes within these categories. Examining the historical evolution of national parties, he argues that four political factors converge to explain their radicalization. According to his "moral polity thesis," parties that demand greater autonomy or actual independence are driven by the central state's perceived violations of norms of reciprocity. This book's focus is stateless nations' movements within established, socioeconomically developed democracies. The primary cases are Catalan and Québécois parties, although Lluch draws on numerous additional examples. One of the most impressive features of this project is the depth of field research, including interviews and surveys of hundreds of party leaders and militants and primary party documents going back several decades. Also especially useful are the classifications of various forms of independence, autonomy, and federation. This two-case study cannot be the final word on the subject; however, it offers the possibility of exploring many similar cases to further test and refine its arguments. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. --Philip J. Howe, Adrian College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
