Regional state and autonomy: The cases of the Kingdom of Spain and the Basque autonomous community

In terms of structure, state forms can be classified into two types. On the one hand, there is the model of unitary state that is based on the unity and indivisibility of state sovereignty, territory, and nation. On the other hand, there is the model of composite state that comes into being with the unification of more than one state and in which the components of sovereignty, territory, and nation are shared between the constituted state and the constituent states. Unitary state has different types, one of which is the model of regional state. The model of regional state is based on the unity and indivisibility of state, and recognizes the right of autonomy to its regions. Consequently, regional state is closely related to the concept of regional autonomy. The Kingdom of Spain can be classified as regional state, because she carries the characteristics of the model of regional state. In the 1978 Spanish Constitution, the unity and indivisibility of Spanish nation, Spanish country, and Spanish sovereignty, and the right of autonomy for the regions are emphasized. Spain is a state consisting of seventeen autonomous communities today. The presence of these autonomous communities does not change the unitary feature of Spain. The Basque Autonomous Community is one of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Basque Autonomous Community uses the competences transferred by the central administration. The Basque Autonomous Community can be described as a regional autonomy. In this study, the state forms, especially regional state, and the concept of autonomy are examined through the case studies of the Kingdom of Spain and the Basque Autonomous Community.