Political Dimension of Welsh Identity after Devolution: Fact or Fiction?

• Authors: Toszek Bartłomiej H.
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The Welsh identity is undisputable in national (i.e. ethnic), social, cultural and even economic dimensions however it is doubtful in political sphere because vast majority of the Welsh still cannot decide if they are more Welsh or British. The ’double identity’ dilemma was visible especially during devolution referendums voting in 1979, 1997 and 2011 when non–political motives were often much more determinative then the factor of belonging to the Welsh community in political meaning. Thus, answering to the question about devolution referendum role in shaping political dimension of Welshness requires thoroughly analyse of the mentioned referendums results as an evident figures of public support for establishing legal and institutional guarantees of maintaining and developing all aspects of national identity. In the article has been contained description how the Welsh relations to the idea of self–determination (in frames of the wide internal autonomy) have changed by last 35 years. An author shows also barriers and factors fostering this process.

Keywords

EN

Wales; United Kingdom; national identity; Welshness; devolution; Welsh language

• Publisher: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek
• Journal: Polish Political Science Yearbook
• Year: 2016
• Volume: 45
• Pages: 353–366

Contributors

author

Toszek Bartłomiej H.

• University of Szczecin

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Identifiers

DOI

10.15804/ppsy2016026