Generations and Nationalism: Comparing Catalonia, Quebec, and Scotland

by Alain-G Gagnon (Editor), Luc Turgeon (Editor)

Overview

Generations and Nationalism breaks new ground by placing the impact of generation and generational changes at the forefront of an investigation on the transformation of nationalist movements and the evolution of support for independence in Catalonia, Quebec and Scotland.

The main objective of the book is to explore how a focus on generations and generational change can add, first, to the theoretical toolkit used in the study of nationalism and, second, can lead to a better understanding of the recent evolution of nationalism in three internal nations: Catalonia, Quebec and Scotland. The book is also an occasion to revisit the distinct evolution of nationalism in these three internal nations that have been the object of important comparative studies in the past and frequent comparisons in public discourses, but which nationalist movements has gone through relatively distinct transformations over the past decade. The different chapters tackle nationbuilding, autonomy and self-determination; ethnic identity, conflict and accommodation; ethnonationalism, irredentism and separatism; and Immigration, naturalization and citizenship. The book also is unique to the extent that it establishes a dialogue between scholars who are specialists of public opinion drawing on quantitative methods and scholars drawing on different comparative historical perspectives in sociology and political science.

Containing both theoretical discussions of nationalism as well as case studies and comparative analyses of nationalist movements, Generations and Nationalism will be of great interest to students and scholars researching nationalism, public opinion, youth politics, political theory, and quantitative and historical methods.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032979182
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Series:	Routledge Studies in Nationalism and Ethnicity
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alain-G Gagnon is Professor of political science and the Canada Research Chair of Quebec and Canadian Studies at the Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada.

Luc Turgeon is Professor of political science at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Table of Contents

Introduction  1. Introduction: Understanding Nationalism Through a Generational Lens  Section 1: Theoretical Perspectives  2. The Nation as Intergenerational Artifact  3. Grievances and Nationalism  4. Nationalism, Diversity, and Generations  Section 2: Nationalist Movements and Generational Change
/5. The (Re)emergence of Catalan Secessionism through a Generational Lens  6. Generational Tensions, Social Conflicts, and the National Question in Quebec  7. From “Macaroni for your Sunday Joint” to the EU Love-In: Scottish Nationalism's Generational Shift in Framing Europe  Section 3: Public Opinion, Nationalism and Generational Change  8. Openness to Secession: An Age–Period–Cohort Analysis of Support for Secession in Catalonia, 1991–2019  9. Nationalist Attitudes and Nationalist Party Support through a Generational Lens: The Case of Quebec  10. Disentangling the Relationship Between Age and Support for Independence in Scotland  11. Immigrants’ Relationship with Quebec: Does the Context of Arrival have a Formative Effect?  Conclusion  12. Conclusion: The Quebec/Scotland/Catalonia Triad Revisited  Index

Editorial Reviews

This unique volume brings together leading scholars to tackle the underexamined question of generational change and nationalism, with a focus on the “small nations” of Catalonia, Scotland Quebec that are internal to states. What emerges is a gripping comparative account of how, as a result of generations, nationalist movements may shift in orientation, and support for nationalist projects like independence may ebb and flow. In providing new pathways and theoretical anchors for explaining continuity and change, this collection is essential reading for understanding nationalism as a force shaping the 21st century.”
Yasmeen Abu-Laban, Professor of Political Science and Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Citizenship and Human Rights, The University of Alberta

“Studies of nationalism frequently refer to differences amongst generations but this is the first truly comparative, conceptually sophisticated and thoroughly researched study of the phenomenon. It will be essential reading for those interested in Quebec Catalonia and Scotland for students of nationalism in general.”
Michael Keating, Emeritus Professor of politics, Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh

“This collective work focuses on an interesting and renewed analytical subject: the role played by different generations or citizens’ cohorts in nationalist and secessionist movements in current liberal democracies. The approach includes cohort, life-cycle and period effects through a critical conceptual framework and a comparative analysis between three empirical cases: Quebec, Scotland and Catalonia. In continuity with the Mannheim classical seminal work on “The Problem of Generations” and the post-war scholar literature on recognition and political accommodation of minority nations in plurinational states, this book accurately highlights how generational changes influence national and secessionist movements. This work may acquire a special relevance for other minority nations that share with the analysed cases the support of liberal democratic values, the rejection of violence, inclusive conceptions of national membership, as well as specific failures in their respective constitutional states at the moment of achieving political recognition and a just and workable constitutional accommodation.”
Ferran Requejo, Professor of Political Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona)

From the Publisher