Journey to the Centre of the State: Catalans in Madrid and Scots in London

Abstract

In recent years, comparative studies between Scotland and Catalonia have grown substantially, especially those dealing with theterritorial embeddedness of these territories in the United Kingdom and Spain. Despite this, comparative research on the inte-gration of Catalans and Scots in the decision-making of central state institutions is underdeveloped. In this article, based on a setof comparative indicators applied to these two case studies, we will carry out an investigation that allows us to observe the levelof inclusion of Catalonia and Scotland in the main political positions of the central government of the State, as well as in otherstate political institutions of singular importance. To this end, we will analyse quantitatively and qualitatively the participationof Catalans and Scots in the head of government, ministerial portfolios, parliamentary presiding officers and general secretariesof the main state-level parties.