The following thesis defines regional identity and describes the historical development of regional identity in Italy and the United Kingdom. Case studies of those nations (Piedmont, Calabria, Scotland, and England) are used to illustrate different components of regional identity and compared. This study is guided by how the concepts of regional identity challenge their nation's political-administrative and socio-economic centrality as relating to factors including history of both the nation and region, religious affiliation and importance, and politics. This research synthesizes information to ultimately contribute to constructivist analyses of international politics.