Teaching the Region: How Decentralized Education Shapes Territorial Identity in Spain

Abstract This article examines how the decentralization of primary and secondary education policy shapes citizens’ sense of territorial identity. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, it analyzes the incorporation of region-centered narratives in regional curricula and uses survey data (2005–2023) to demonstrate that exposure to decentralized education increases regional identity in Spain. The findings show that decentralized education fosters regional identities while legitimizing Spain’s territorial organization. This study contributes to the literature on nation-building and decentralization.