Responsiveness and nationalist extremism in the Basque Country (1977-2007): a multivariate appraisa

Abstract

Nationalist extremism in the Basque Country, the main manifestation of which is ETA terrorism, has been the target of a wide array of constitutional and ordinary public policies. Together with different forms and degrees of repression, these include the substantial restructuring of the State and the broad reallocation of public resources, which are derived from a responsive approach to conflict resolution. Through a multivariate research design, this study evaluates the outcomes of the main responsive policies that have been implemented. In particular, the analysis shows that the establishment of Basque self-governing institutions has substantially mitigated political extremism, both with respect to the attitudes people and terrorism.