El Estado de las autonomías en la opinión pública: preferencias, conocimiento y voto.

Abstract

This dissertation deals with citizens’ attitudes towards the State of autonomies and regional_x000D_ politics, examining how these attitudes influence voting patterns in Spanish regional elections._x000D_ The study is divided in two sections._x000D_ The first part analyses constitutional preferences regarding the territorial organization of_x000D_ the State. Here we describe citizens’ preferences and their variations, and then look for the_x000D_ individual causes of the different choices. We draw two main conclusions. First, individual_x000D_ preferences depend fundamentally (but not exclusively) on political predispositions, namely,_x000D_ national identity and ideology. Second, the changing positions of the parties adjust very well to_x000D_ the changes in the relationship between individual political predispositions and preferences over_x000D_ time. This is the case because the regional question is a contentious issue in Spanish politics,_x000D_ and because the devolution process is in flux and its development depends heavily on_x000D_ arrangements between parties. Thus, political elites seem to play a pivotal role in the changing_x000D_ relationship between political predispositions and constitutional preferences in Spain._x000D_ The second part focuses on citizens’ awareness and involvement in regional politics and_x000D_ elections. Although regional elections are used to elect parliaments and governments with_x000D_ significant powers, there is some doubt as to whether voters base their decisions in these_x000D_ elections on considerations related to the regional or the national political arena. Thus, two_x000D_ theoretical questions emerge. In regional elections, do voters take the performance of_x000D_ governments and regional leaders into account, or are their choices instead driven by national_x000D_ considerations? Are there any variations in how voters approach regional elections depending_x000D_ on their individual characteristics or the context in which they make their choices? In order to_x000D_ answer these questions I have analysed different aspects of regional politics: citizens’ level of_x000D_ interest in regional politics and their knowledge of the distribution of powers and the regional_x000D_ political figures; voters’ ability to maintain separate evaluations of regional and national_x000D_ political actors; and the factors considered by voters in regional elections._x000D_ The evidence suggests that the most characteristic element of Spanish regional politics is_x000D_ national identity, which has profound implications for how public opinion relates to the regional_x000D_ institutions. Those with a stronger sense of identification with their region tend to more strongly_x000D_ favour political decentralization, which makes them more aware of and informed about regional_x000D_ politics; consequently, they give more weight to regional politics in their voting decisions. In_x000D_ any case, this is not an exclusive feature of regions where national alternative projects exist_x000D_ (mainly Catalonia and the Basque Country), but rather a characteristic element of Spanish_x000D_ regional politics in general. However, affective predispositions are not the only source of_x000D_ variance. Cognitive and contextual differences also emerge. Thus, those with higher levels of_x000D_ education and those who vote in regions where the incumbent party is different from the party_x000D_ in national office also focus more strongly on regional considerations in their voting choices.

Date of Award	12 Jul 2012
Original language	Spanish
Supervisor	Joan Botella Corral (Director)