The political role of the monarchy as a catalyst for contemporary Spanish nationalism

Abstract

This article examines the elements—primarily those related to the monarchy—that help explain Spanish nationalism. The central hypothesis is based on the relevant role of this institution in predicting it. Accordingly, the study aims to identify the variables that influence the degree of Spanish nationalism, highlight how this approach differs from previous research, and assess the explanatory power of monarchical variables. Through a survey, three research questions are addressed: What is the social and political profile of the Spanish nationalist? Do political variables account for differences in the degree of Spanish nationalism? Is it the monarchy—and its more political dimensions—that intensifies Spanish nationalist sentiment? A nationalist profile is drawn in which the factors that explain it have an important anchorage in the monarchy, mainly as a political fact and taking as a reference the actions and acts of Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI.