Period 4: Catalonia Independence

Catalans are trying to make a step towards their independence and have been for 80 years. Already, they are almost a different nation as they have their own language, culture, and education system (https://www.vox.com/world/2017/10/2/16393956/catalonia-catalan-independence-crackdown-vote-referendum). I agree with the article when it states, “To some degree, the one who lost most on Sunday was Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, whose efforts to block the referendum, paired with his police force’s violent response to it, risks pushing more Catalans into the pro-independence camp.” Clearly, the brutality used to fight back against the Catalans only strengthens their want for independence. The Spanish government could be going about things differently. Spanish Prime Minister, Rajoy, was ready to use any measurement possible, no matter how extreme to stop vote from occurring. Rojoy also refuses to acknowledge that anything had happened in Catalonia. The main reason Spain is so against succession seems to be the fact that Catalonia is responsible for 20% of Spain's economic output and with about 2 million votes being counted almost 90% had all voted for independence. Some believe though that this is more of a fight of Rajoy and his government against Catalonia. Do you think Rajoy’s actions had a positive or negative effect on his end goal of stopping succession?

There are multiple reasons why Spain would want to keep Catalonia from becoming an independent nation. One being that Catalonia is one of the wealthiest and most productive provinces of Spain. Catalonia accounts for roughly 20% of all of Spain's economy. Also, Catalonia is the 34th wealthiest "country". Catalonia's GDP per capita is roughly 35,000, this makes them wealthier than Hong Kong. Another reason mentioned in Vox is that Catalonias push for independence could cause a disturbance in other EU countries. If Catalonia calls for independence, what is to stop other provinces from countries like France to do the same. This would cause a disruption in the EU, which has already refused to aid and support Catalonia because if this reason. Although there are cultural differences between the heart if Spain and Catalonia (different languages, different education system) there is a greater need for Spain to keep Catalonia from becoming an independent nation because of their economic importance to Spain and also to keep stability in the EU.

@chase wilkerson
I do in fact believe that if Catalonia becomes independent that they will be able to have success on their own. Mainly because their central economy is already exceptionally powerful in terms of the rest of the world. I believe that other countries would recognize them without issue because of the reputation they already have as an economic power

@rachel

Because independence-seeking Catalonians have already started denouncing and degrading some of their own political officials for not supporting their ideas, I believe that Rajoy's actions will continue to fuel the movement towards secession. As for those in the 9% of surveyed individuals that expressed no definitive opinion about secession, I foresee them leaning towards a want for independence because of Rajoy's brutality at the poles towards citizens of his own country. In addition to this, he refuses to negotiate with a Catalonian party which means that Catalonia will receive no tax break as a province in return for the revenue that they provide for Spain, which is something that would be helpful to them as they provide 20.9% of Spain's GDP. At the very least, I suspect that Rajoy has damaged his own reputation as a respected prime minister through his actions.

Looking at the context from all three given sources, the motive for secession becomes clearer. Catalonia feels separate from Spain, with a different dialect, culture, and perspective. From 1714 to 1931, the Spanish government attempted to control the region, with attempts to change their chosen language to Spanish, and follow Spanish laws. In 1977 the region was granted a degree of autonomy (not complete). This separation continued until July 2010, when the Constitutional Court of Madrid stated that there was NO reason(s) to declare Catalonia “a nation within Spain”. Granting Catalonia such freedom and then taking it away did nothing but fuel the need for independence. Nevertheless, Catalonia is very economically stable, with more net worth than the majority of other cities in Spain. Due to this, they are constantly supporting the poorer parts of Spain.

Why would a region such as Catalonia wish to remain a part of Spain when all throughout history, they have been singled out and kept separate from the rest of the country? What would be the benefits, if any, of remaining part of Spain and the EU?

In response to Olivia Kocuba, the pros of gaining independence from Spain would definitely be worth the outcry it might bring (from Spain), at least from the Catalonian perspective. The people of this region likely feel more than oppressed, with laws imposed on them by people they do not view as their government, who choose not to communicate in their language. We can only infer that based on the drive for secession, there are extremely negative feelings towards Spain, powerful enough to unite a nation together in order to achieve national identity.

An already fragile Spain faces the very realistic possibility of losing Catalonia. Catalonia reasons their desire for independence on economic and cultural strains between it and Spain. Economically, Catalonia fees like they give Spain more than Spain gives them. They are financially stable with production and exports, accounting for nearly 20% of the country's GDP. They rescued Madrid during a recession by funneling tax money to relieve the city.

One article mentioned that succession of Catalonia could cause other countries to follow, like Corsica from France. Although provinces like Corsica or the Flemish from Belgium would need to develop sentiments for independence, the succession of Catalonia could introduce such possibilities. Another thing to consider is the European Union's refusal to recognize Catalonia. If it becomes independent, we will have another country not part of the European Union. How will this affect travel in Europe? The FC Barcelona team is renowned for its excellence and attracts many soccer fans. Will a succession discourage attendance of these games, or will it make a newly independent Catalonia even more successful? It is easy to believe that the Europe we know now is the Europe that will stay for decades, maybe centuries, to come. This sentiment is inherent in the nature of living in the present. I'm sure people living in the Middle Ages had no doubt that that was what society was going to look live forevermore, until the Renaissance where they thought that society was set in stone. Although we consider modern western Europe to be fully developed, does that mean it has finished changing (territorially speaking)?

So what is Spain doing? Using militaristic force against a thus-far peaceful process? Refusing to consider dialogue with Catalonia? If they suppress the rebellion, what next? How can they expect relations with Catalonia to return to normal after this? This is a turning point, and one for the worse. Whether Catalonia stays with or succeeds from Spain, the atmosphere between the two will be changed-- maybe permanently. How far is Spain willing to go to keep Catalonia at bay? Consider that Spain has only been a democracy for 4 decades, and the methods they used to shut down the vote seemed against the ideals of a democracy. Spain used militaristic methods of suppression in response to the vote, refusing to conduct diplomatic negotiations with Catalonia. If nothing else, this approach might strengthen the resolve of those wishing for independence, and even give the movement more support with a position to rally behind.

What I am very interested in is the sports aspect of this. FC Barcelona is an extremely popular team, one of my favorites. We have seen sports and politics clash in the United States, could something similar happen in Catalonia? Or will the two remain, for the most part, separate?

I find it largely difficult to hold any extremely dedicated support toward either side. In one hand, Catalonia has characteristics homogeneous within its boundaries, leaning toward a necessary division and secession. On the other hand, Catalonia is a significant piece contributing to the whole of Spain, leaning towards remaining with the whole of Spain. This characteristic is evident in that Catalonia accounts for "almost 20 per cent of its {Spain} economic output" (www.telegraph.co.uk). However, this statistic is a double edged sword as Catalonia could be described as having the economic capability to stand alone as an independent nation. This also leads to Catalonians feeling as if they are largely carrying the economic stability of other regions of Spain who don't contribute as much. As described in the first document, the region DOES have characteristics separate from all of Spain yet the US also has individual characteristics found only in certain states and regions. Regardless of stance, I believe the Spanish Government's actions of violence were largely uncalled for and will only yield an increased sentiment to succession, AKA, what the Spanish Government is trying to destroy. The EU refuses to help for fear of dissolving itself through consequent acts of succession in other countries and regions.

Would Catalonian independence really lead to other successions?
Will debate be used or only violence? - Is it too late to talk now that violence has already happened?