Matteo Monti
In comparative federalism studies, the category of asymmetry is being explored more and more. However, the traditional category of asymmetry, developed for federal states, does not seem to frame all the facets of the asymmetrical demands of national minorities in those federalising processes called ‘regional states’. This article introduces the concept of ‘spearheaded asymmetry’ to explain the asymmetric claims of autonomist and ethno-regionalist parties in some European regional states, notably in Italy and Spain. The asymmetrical demands of political movements representing national minorities are enriched by the aspiration to acquire the highest self-government possible within regional states (as a transitional asymmetry) and, simultaneously, to see their differential status recognised (as a permanent asymmetry). Spearheaded asymmetry holds these two aspects together. Four sub-national units are studied in analysing this concept: South Tyrol and the Aosta Valley for Italy, Catalonia and the Basque Country for Spain.
