Distance, Regional Identities and Parties: A Comparative Analysis of Castilla-La Mancha, Andalusia and the Canary Islands

Abstract

Abstract This article examines how geographical distance affects how political parties articulate regional identities at the subnational level. This is done by applying construal-level theory, hypothesizing that the further away a region is from the center, the more distinct and unique peripheral identities will tend to be framed by these political actors. Qualitatively analyzing regional party manifestos issued for the regional elections held during 1999–2015 in the Spanish regions of Castilla–La Mancha, Andalusia, and the Canary Islands, the results show that regional identities are formulated in a more distinct and unique way as distance from the center increases.