Electoral performance of regionalist parties and perspectives on regional identity in France

Abstract:

Often, the existence and strength of regional identities is regarded as a foundation for the thriving of regionalist political parties. Apart from a subjective and an objective dimension of the concept of regional identity, a connecting dimension expressing the perception and recognition of characteristics of the region can be distinguished. This article describes the various regionalist parties in different regions in France AND compares differences found between regions in terms of electoral success of regionalist parties with regional variations in subjective notions of regional identity. The aim of this approach is to determine whether the degree to which different perspectives on the concept of regional identity are relevant determinants of the spread and election results of regionalism in France.