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| Source: bloomber.com |
In October 2017, the Catalan government conducted an independence referendum and declared independence from Spain. In response, the Spanish Central Government dubbed this referendum as illegal, then partially suspended Catalonia’s autonomy. The international community has not recognized Catalonia's unilateral declaration of independence.[1] Why does Catalonia want independence? How did it begin?
Catalonia was formerly a principality of the crown of Aragon, and it has played an important role in the history of the Iberian Peninsula.[2] Situated between the Iberian Peninsula and the Pyrenees mountains, the Catalan culture receives both influences from the Spanish and French culture. Unlike the rest of Spain, Catalonia is distinct enough to have its own language (Catalan), tradition, cuisine, literature in which these form a sense of national identity.
These differences were oppressed during 1939 – 1975 under the rule of a fascist dictatorship, Francisco Franco, who imposed a single national identity which is suppressing the diversity of Spain as well as the Catalan culture. When Spain transitioned into democracy, following the death of Franco in 1975, a new constitution called ‘Constitucion Espanola’ emerged and grant Catalonia’s self-governance. This constitution helped the Catalan culture to develop but did not lessen Catalonia’s desire for autonomy. In fact, the movement grew even bigger.
The economy plays as an important motive in Catalonia’s independence. Catalans are dissatisfied with the management of the Spanish economy during the European economic crisis in 2009.2 They are pushing for more economic and fiscal independence from the Spanish government. In 2016, nearly 21 percent of Spain’s tax revenue came from Catalonia. The pro-independence Catalans believe that Catalonia pays too much tax and gets less in return for infrastructure and living conditions. Furthermore, during the European economic crisis, the unemployment rate increased in Spain as well affected Catalonia.
On the contrary, the separatist movement is also opposed by a large amount of Catalan. They claimed that it is an unproductivity and therefore has no urgency. First of all, Catalonia has gained autonomy in political, environmental, educational, and cultural affairs which proved the good intention of Spain’s central government. Then, there are no human rights abuse and cultural oppression in the present day. Moreover, the issues addressed by the pro-independence are not so solid. The Spanish government recognized the diversity of Spanish culture as well the Catalan culture proven by their recognition of Catalan as the official language of Catalonia. In economy, the referendum has made a lot of companies move outside of Catalonia. Not to mention the inevitable transition cost if that ever happened. Spain would have boycotted trade with Catalonia and the new government needs to invest on new infrastructures such as railways or ports.
Furthermore, Catalonia’s independence will be a threat to the unification process in Europe. Tensions will heat in the Iberian peninsula. Not to mention the foreseen growing separatist movement in Scotland, Transnistria, and the Caucasus countries that will put the stability of Europe in danger. Domino effect: One successful separatist attempt will always trigger the other separatist movement to take place.
The sovereignty of Catalonia remains to be seen in the future. With the denial of Spain, the process of recognition would take decades. Since most of the European leaders sided with the Spanish government, the integration of Catalonia with Europe will be hard if not impossible in the upcoming years.
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