Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Catalonia: nationalism or regionalism?

The Catalonia issue burns hotter. Recently, adoptive Catalonian Simon Harris argued here the economic and historical-cultural case for independence. Even a proposed proto-referendum run by volunteers has been suspended by the Spanish Government's Constitutional Court.

It's clear that identity is a powerful driver in these matters. Yet, as "JD" counter-argues today - in a way that certainly won't please Catalans, but the substantive point has to be addressed - breaking up Spain (there's more than one region that has separatist movements) into cantons makes the whole country easier to swallow. This is, after all, the EU's plan for the UK, with its "regions" including a trans-Channel "Arc Manche".

As with the Scots, the question has to be asked, what is the point of gaining national independence only to be ruled by an even remoter and less responsive power in the form of the European Union? Does this not play into the hands of those who divide in order to rule?


READER: PLEASE CLICK THE REACTION BELOW - THANKS!

All original material is copyright of its author. Fair use permitted. Contact via comment. Unless indicated otherwise, all internet links accessed at time of writing. Nothing here should be taken as personal advice, financial or otherwise. No liability is accepted for third-party content, whether incorporated in or linked to this blog; or for unintentional error and inaccuracy. The blog author may have, or intend to change, a personal position in any stock or other kind of investment mentioned.

1 comment:

Sackerson said...

JD comments:

It is not a 'quasi-referendum' but more like an opinion poll and, if this report is any guide, it looks like a bit of a shambles:

http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/25098/catalunya-casts-its-ballot-on-independence

According to El Mundo, Josep Antoni Duran Lleida, the leader of Unió Democràtica de Catalunya has already voted yes and no! Like most people there he doesn't really know what he wants; their only commonality is knowing what they don't want - 'Cataluña is not Spain' is their sole belief: i.e. it is not a positive belief in their 'identity' but a negative one.