Can subaltern states speak? The case of the Basque Political Agreement

Abstract

Contemporary evolution of the concept of sovereignty posits a post-Westphalian scenario in which statehood is conceived in a relational, strategic way. Firstly, this article raises the possibility of applying the concept of subaltern statehood to certain nations which do not have official statehood, but which have strong state institutions. Secondly, by considering the Basque Country a subaltern state, we analyse the recent proposal for a Political Agreement that outlines a model of confederate sovereignty of pre-Westphalian inspiration. This proposal would make it possible to overcome the subaltern character of Basque statehood in the current post-Westphalian context.