Istrian regionalism, Croatian nationalism, and EU accession -- History and historical analysis of Istria and Istrianity -- The use of history in justification and polemics -- Political belonging and identity politicization -- Theoretical perspectives on Western European "othering" -- The economy and the expression of identity -- The historiography of Istria and ethnic politics -- Italian historiography -- Yugoslav and Croatian historiography -- A new school of thought in Istrian historiography -- The politicization of national and regional identities in Istria -- Establishing the IDS and forming its platform -- Politicization of regional identity : the role of the opposition -- Politicization of regional identity : the role of the regionalists -- Elections and IDS victories -- The decline in IDS popularity and its future