Political Coexistence in the Basque Case: Institutional Action on Violence, Pluralism and Agreements

27 Pages Posted: 14 Sep 2018 Last revised: 19 Dec 2018

See all articles by Valeria Vázquez Guevara

Valeria Vázquez Guevara

The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law

Date Written: July 26, 2018

Abstract

English abstract: After more than forty years of violent conflict, ETA announced in 2011 the definitive cessation of armed activity in the Basque Country and Spain. The announcement raised questions about how to address the violent legacy of the past in a society characterized by pluralism with a history of opposed political sensibilities, and simultaneously, work towards peaceful coexistence. This article examines how the institutional action of, and in, the Basque regional Government and Parliament shaped ‘political coexistence’ between 2011 and 2015. It uses a content/discourse analysis of three institutional initiatives: Working Group for Peace and Coexistence, Ethical Minimum Agreement, and Plan for Peace and Coexistence. These initiatives formed an institutional framework that opened a small but meaningful public space in Basque political institutions and discourse. The article shows how ‘political coexistence’ within Basque institutions is informed by political parties and groups’ experiences, perspectives and positions on violence, pluralism, and agreement/consensus.

Spanish abstract: ETA anunció en 2011 el cese definitivo de su actividad armada. Surgieron preguntas sobre cómo abordar el legado del pasado violento en una sociedad caracterizada por la pluralidad, con sensibilidades políticas opuestas, y simultáneamente trabajar por la convivencia pacífica. Este artículo examina cómo la acción institucional del Gobierno Vasco y del Parlamento Vasco dio forma a la ‘convivencia política’ entre 2011 y 2015. Se examinan tres iniciativas institucionales: Grupo de Trabajo de Paz y Convivencia, Suelo Ético y Plan de Paz y Convivencia. Dichas iniciativas abrieron un pequeño pero significativo espacio público en las en las instituciones y el discurso político vasco. Este artículo demuestra como la ‘convivencia política’ en las instituciones vascas toma forma según la experiencia, perspectiva y posiciones de los partidos y grupos políticos sobre violencia, pluralismo y acuerdos/consensos.

Keywords: Basque Country, political coexistence, pluralism, political institutions, ETA, peace agreements, Euskadi, convivencia política, pluralismo, instituciones políticas, acuerdos de paz

Suggested Citation

Vázquez Guevara, Valeria, Political Coexistence in the Basque Case: Institutional Action on Violence, Pluralism and Agreements (July 26, 2018). Oñati Socio-Legal Series, vol. 8, n. 7 (2018), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3220276

Valeria Vázquez Guevara (Contact Author)

The University of Hong Kong - Faculty of Law ( email )

Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
China

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