Sabino Arana: Architect of Modern Basque Nationalism

The Genesis of Basque Nationalism: Sabino Arana's Vision

The foundational text of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) was penned by Sabino Arana, articulating his distinct political ideology. His core tenets included:

• Bizkaia's Catholic Identity: A vision for Bizkaia as a Catholic, Roman Apostolic state.
• Bizkaia's Independence: Advocacy for Bizkaia as an independent state.
• Church-State Relationship: While acknowledging the state's belonging to the church, Arana proposed a separation between state and church, yet believed laws should align with Catholic doctrine.
• Federal Basque State: A unified, independent federal state comprising three Basque provinces, bound by shared race, faith, personality, and customs.

Historical Context: Post-Carlist War Bizkaia and Social Change

The defeat of the Carlist army by liberal forces on February 28, 1876, marked a pivotal moment. This event facilitated the reduction of Basque privileges and solidified the unity of the Spanish state. Following the end of the Carlist War, Bizkaia underwent profound economic transformation. The exploitation of its iron mines commenced, and the profits from the iron trade fueled Bizkaia's industrialization.

However, the rapid development of Basque industry also brought significant social tensions and conflicts. Immigrants from other Spanish regions flocked into the Basque Country, leading to a strong, often "virulent," reaction in traditional Basque cities. It was amidst this backdrop that Sabino Arana, the founder of the Basque Nationalist Party, synthesized these ideas and sentiments, organizing them into a coherent political movement.

Pillars of Sabino Arana's Nationalist Ideology

The Primacy of God and Catholic Religion

Catholic religion was a cornerstone of Arana's nationalist party. One of his primary aims was the salvation of Basque souls. He viewed immigrants as a detrimental influence on Basques, believing they introduced immorality and opposed traditional religion, especially as many began affiliating with the PSOE-UGT, a non-Catholic political party.

The "Old Law" and Basque Independence

Sabino Arana justified the independence of the Basque Country through the concept of "ancient charters" or fueros. He contended that the Basque Country had been an independent entity when these fueros were in force. Consequently, he preferred the term "Old Law" over "privileges," as he believed these charters represented inherent rights that the Basque people had enjoyed for ages, even before the formation of Spain.

Arana envisioned an independent Basque Country as a peasant society, free from immigrants, and unified by a single language: Basque.

The Interplay of God and Old Law: Church and State

Arana defined the relationship between church and state. While he opposed the church's direct involvement in politics, he firmly believed that laws should be formulated in accordance with Catholic religious principles.

Evolution of Arana's Political Project

Initially, Arana's political project focused solely on Bizkaia. However, his vision later expanded to encompass a federal state for all Basque provinces, united by shared race, language, religion, customs, and distinct personalities.

Legacy of Arana's Ideology and the PNV

Sabino Arana's ideology, conceived over a century ago, remains foundational to the Basque Nationalist Party. While the PNV has evolved and has not adopted some of Arana's more controversial or unacceptable ideas, the party has held power for many years. It is notable that many of the specific, more extreme tenets of his original vision, such as a peasant society without immigrants or a state where laws are strictly based on Catholic religion, have not been implemented in practice.