A Europe of Regionalists: How Has European Integration Impacted Regionalist Political Parties’ Electoral Support?

This study investigates the question: How has European integration impacted regionalist political parties’ electoral support? European integration and regionalism are theoretically connected by Seth Jolly’s viability theory which explains that supranational organizations, such as the European Union (and precursor organizations), make small countries more viable. Using the regions of Flanders, Corsica, Sardinia, Padania, Galicia, and Catalonia as case studies, this thesis identifies moments of European integration and then examines if regionalist electoral results match the expectations of viability theory. This thesis found support for the idea that European integration is positively affecting regionalist political parties in elections; however, there often exists other contextual factors that can modify or negate this effect. European integration is just one of the many issues that regionalists must address, but, as this thesis shows, it is an issue that deserves their attention and, if used wisely, their support. I conclude the thesis by considering the implications of the viability theory for different decision-makers within the European Union and its member countries, and I explore how regionalism needs a solution from supranational organizations because, as more countries join and spend longer in supranational organizations, regionalism should be expected become more widespread