Una democracia mística y excluyente. El concepto de democracia en el nacionalismo radical vasco

Abstract

This article analyses the way in which radical Basque nationalism, led since 1958 by ETA, has understood and used the concept of democracy. In spite of the different historical phases through which it has passed, the constant has always been that a true democracy assumes the existence of a Basque people, as a unitary subject, with the capacity to make decisions in all spheres. Moreover, this subject would not express itself in a liberal way, by means of a representative system. To the extent that it constitutes a “community of life” among nationalists, it would require a type of mystical participation where the brotherhood and unity of “the people”, and its link with the land and the language, could be manifested. By definition, those who, by virtue of their Spanish or French identity, are considered enemies and a disintegrating factor, should be completely excluded. The “power of the people” would thus require the segregation of the “sick” part of society.