Ethnic parties as agents of ethno-political mobilization in the states of Western Europe

Abstract

   The article is concerned with the study of the ethnic parties influence on the political mobilization processes in the states of Western Europe. Ethnic parties are often viewed as institutions that increase ethnic tensions and conflicts, but still such parties function in many European countries. In political science, there is a discussion about how and under what conditions ethnic parties really pose a danger to the political stability. Ethno-political conflicts presuppose the presence of mobilization of ethnic groups. The article proves that ethnic parties drastically increase ethno-political mobilization. Ethnic parties are interested in such mobilization and form the mobilization infrastructure. A comparative analysis of ethno-political parties of Belgium, Great Britain and Spain showed that ethno-political mobilization in them differs significantly. If in Spain the protests in Catalonia threatened not only national political stability, but also the security of citizens, then in Belgium and the UK, ethnic parties limited themselves to mobilizing citizens for electoral political participation.