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Between Movement and Party in Ireland and the Basque Country: Social Movements and Electoral Politics in Conflict-Ridden Societies

Chris Coleman

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Published in Militant Nationalism: Between Movement And Party In Ireland And The Basque Country (Social Movements Protest And Contention 9)

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Social movements have played a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes in Ireland and the Basque Country, two conflict-ridden societies. In Ireland, social movements have been successful in influencing electoral outcomes through their ability to mobilize voters and shape public opinion. In the Basque Country, social movements have been less successful in influencing electoral outcomes, but they have been able to maintain a degree of autonomy from electoral politics.

Militant Nationalism: Between Movement and Party in Ireland and the Basque Country (Social Movements Protest and Contention 9)

Militant Nationalism: Between Movement and Party in Ireland and the Basque Country (Social Movements, Protest and Contention Book 9)

by Cynthia L. Irvin

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The relationship between social movements and electoral politics is complex and varies depending on the specific context. In Ireland, the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s played a major role in shaping the political landscape. The movement's demands for an end to discrimination against Catholics in Northern Ireland led to the creation of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP),which has since become the main nationalist party in Northern Ireland.

In the Basque Country, the Basque nationalist movement has also played a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes. The movement's demands for independence from Spain have led to the creation of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV),which has been the dominant party in the Basque Country since the 1970s.

However, the relationship between social movements and electoral politics is not always straightforward. In some cases, social movements have been able to successfully influence electoral outcomes, while in other cases they have been less successful. The success or failure of social movements in influencing electoral outcomes depends on a number of factors, including the strength of the movement, the nature of the demands being made, and the political context.

In Ireland, social movements have been able to successfully influence electoral outcomes because they have been able to mobilize voters and shape public opinion. The civil rights movement, for example, was able to mobilize a large number of people and put pressure on the British government to make concessions. The movement's demands for an end to discrimination against Catholics were popular with the majority of the population, and this helped to influence the outcome of the 1973 general election, which resulted in a victory for the SDLP.

In the Basque Country, social movements have been less successful in influencing electoral outcomes. The Basque nationalist movement, for example, has been unable to achieve its goal of independence from Spain. This is due in part to the fact that the movement is divided into a number of different factions, and this has made it difficult to build a consensus on a common strategy. Additionally, the Spanish government has been unwilling to grant independence to the Basque Country, and this has made it difficult for the movement to achieve its goals.

Despite these challenges, social movements have been able to maintain a degree of autonomy from electoral politics in the Basque Country. This is due in part to the fact that the movement has a strong base of support in the Basque Country, and this has made it difficult for political parties to ignore the movement's demands. Additionally, the movement has been able to maintain a degree of independence from electoral politics by focusing on cultural and social issues rather than on electoral politics.

The relationship between social movements and electoral politics is a dynamic one that is constantly evolving. The success or failure of social movements in influencing electoral outcomes depends on a number of factors, including the strength of the movement, the nature of the demands being made, and the political context. In Ireland, social movements have been able to successfully influence electoral outcomes through their ability to mobilize voters and shape public opinion. In the Basque Country, social movements have been less successful in influencing electoral outcomes, but they have been able to maintain a degree of autonomy from electoral politics.

Militant Nationalism: Between Movement and Party in Ireland and the Basque Country (Social Movements, Protest and Contention Book 9)

by Cynthia L. Irvin

4.7 out of 5