The Politics of Victimhood in Contemporary Spain.

The Politics of Victimhood in Contemporary Spain.

Wednesday, 25 February 2015 - 12:30pm
Venue: 
Seminar Room, European Studies Centre, 70 Woodstock Road
Speaker(s): 
Vincent Druliolle (Santander Fellow at ESC and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)
Chair: 
Paola Mattei (St Antony's College)
Series: 
Visiting Fellows Series

According to Crumbaugh (2007), 'in current Spanish political discourse, claims to victim status are uniquely persuasive'. Indeed, an increasing number of actors see themselves and want to be recognized as victims. The visibility and legal recognition of these various groups varies greatly, which has generated an alleged competition between victims. Analyzing the claims and struggle of these groups, what I call the politics of victimhood, is essential to understand Spanish politics and society. The paper outlines the theory and methodology used to design the research project on the politics of victimhood. It also focuses on the claim made by various groups that they are "second-class victims" and highlights some of its political consequences.