all decision that regard their polity.Applicable DefinitionBefore establishing whether the Basque are, by definition, a nation or not; other ideas must also be considered. It has already been established that the Basques are, above all, an ethnic group that is looking to validate its identity as such in respect to that of the identity of a Spaniard, or a Frenchman. Geertz defines ethnicity as the “commitment to primordial loyalties which give people distinct identity”. Therefore, given Geertz definition of ethnicity we can observe that they are indeed a cohesive ethnic group seeking to maintain their culture, or Euskaldun as it is called in Basque. In their case, language has been, aside from the primary element of their culture, the vehicle that has kept and fostered their unity . The preservation and revival of the Basque’s primordial ties within countries that have long emphasized the concept of national oneness has given the Basque community the motivation and the strength necessary to revive old values in order to fight to be recognized as an independent state. There are some political scientists that would not consider ethnicity, as the only factor needed to define nationhood. According to Max Webber, “…the sentiment of ethnic solidarity does not by itself make a nation”. Nevertheless, according to Weber as well, “a nation is a group of people that share a common past and hold a common vision of the future”. Consequently, Weber’s definition of a nation is the most suitable choice in this case. Competing Identities In Spain, as well as in France, there is the sense of oneness that makes a nation, a nation, the common state of mind of a people engaging in a daily plebiscite, if you will. However, within these two countries a number of ethnic groups have lived and co-existed under the same flag, constitution and values. Nevertheless, one national identity has prevailed over the o...
