Catalonia have always wanted to be independent as long as I can remember for various economic and social reasons. Catalonia is a Spanish region located in the north of the Spain at the French border; Catalan peoples have a strong cultural identity and they not only live in the Spanish territory, according to them Catalonia have a part in France, it does not only stop at the Spanish border, with city like Perpignan for example where many people in plus of speaking French speak Catalan and identify themselves as such. For Catalan they believe that their real capital city is Barcelona and not the Official Spanish one Madrid; Catalonia want the independence because they feel they are not treated correctly from Madrid, Catalonia is the most prosperous and touristic region of Spain and feel like they should have more recognition from Madrid and feel left out. They think the independence would help them economically but Spain refuse to let go the wealthiest region of the country.
I’ve had the opportunity to discuss a lot about the independence of Catalonia during my Spanish classes in France and also with Spanish and Catalan friends. Therefore, I will try to explain my point of view about this issue. Catalonia has a strong cultural identity that makes its people want to be independent from the rest of Spain. First Catalonia has its own language (Catalan), which is also spoken in Andorra and in some cities of the South of France. Moreover, Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, is the second biggest city of Spain and attracts a lot of tourists. Catalonia has a great economy: it is the richest region of Spain and has a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the country. Barcelona also counts with an international airport and one of the most important ports of the country. All of this would be good reasons for the region to become independent.
However, I don’t think that Catalonia should become independent. First, when becoming independent, Catalonia will become a new country and therefore it will not be able to use the euro anymore. The new country will then need to create a new currency which will be very expensive to implement. Moreover, the country will also need to renegotiate its membership to the European Union and as Spain is against the independence, it is very likely that it will be against Catalonia entering the EU, therefore the process might be very long. Then, if it is not part of the European Union the country will have more difficulties to export and import in Spain and abroad as new taxes will be applicated to its products. The independence of Catalonia could have negative effects on the region but also on Spain. The independence of one region may give the idea to other regions to do the same. Moreover, as Catalonia is very important for the Spanish economy, its independence will probably generate a crisis in Spain.
The rift between the Catalans and Castillan Spain shows that efforts from numerous Spanish rulers across history fail to unify the nation under one identity. The Catalans consider themselves different from the rest of Spain due to the differences in language and culture, and this soon became the grounds for their attempted secession. During the early 20th century after the fall of the Spanish Empire, the parliament of the newly founded republican Spain became an outlet for the disillusioned Catalans to voice their aspirations. The Catalan independence movement from the Spanish Republic was spearheaded by Francesc Macia and his ERC party, managing to win a privileged status of autonomy in 1932 after negotiations with the leftist government, then battered by the political advances of the political right. After the conclusion of the Spanish civil war in 1938 and the victory of the nationalist Francisco Franco, Catalan autonomy was revoked, and all aspects of public life that was even slightly associated with Catalan identity were repressed. Hence, the Catalan independence hawks of today desire independence from Spain as they see the current government of Spain (the constitutional monarchy of Felipe VI) as an indirect continuation of Franco’s rule.
I once discussed this issue with my Catalan friend who actually voted Catalonia to leave Spain. I remember he was quite furious when his university was included in his certificate, it was written in "Spain" instead of "Catalonia" although he studied in Barcelona.
A little overview about Catalonia; it is a region located in northeastern Spain with Barcelona as its capital. It has its own language and culture which is different from Spanish (although quite similar) and the Catalans always defined themselves as a nation. Since it is considered a rich region, Spain collects a huge amount of taxes towards Catalonia yet what they give back is much less than the amount of money the region paid. Hence, if they leave Spain and the taxes they paid will actually be used Catalonia alone, it can be utilized to develop the region in order to advance its economy. However, leaving Spain means re-negotiating its deals towards the world in terms of trade as well as registering to become the EU member since there are certain requirements that needs to be fulfilled.
Catalonia have always wanted to be independent as long as I can remember for various economic and social reasons.
ReplyDeleteCatalonia is a Spanish region located in the north of the Spain at the French border; Catalan peoples have a strong cultural identity and they not only live in the Spanish territory, according to them Catalonia have a part in France, it does not only stop at the Spanish border, with city like Perpignan for example where many people in plus of speaking French speak Catalan and identify themselves as such.
For Catalan they believe that their real capital city is Barcelona and not the Official Spanish one Madrid; Catalonia want the independence because they feel they are not treated correctly from Madrid, Catalonia is the most prosperous and touristic region of Spain and feel like they should have more recognition from Madrid and feel left out. They think the independence would help them economically but Spain refuse to let go the wealthiest region of the country.
I’ve had the opportunity to discuss a lot about the independence of Catalonia during my Spanish classes in France and also with Spanish and Catalan friends. Therefore, I will try to explain my point of view about this issue.
ReplyDeleteCatalonia has a strong cultural identity that makes its people want to be independent from the rest of Spain. First Catalonia has its own language (Catalan), which is also spoken in Andorra and in some cities of the South of France. Moreover, Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, is the second biggest city of Spain and attracts a lot of tourists. Catalonia has a great economy: it is the richest region of Spain and has a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the country. Barcelona also counts with an international airport and one of the most important ports of the country. All of this would be good reasons for the region to become independent.
However, I don’t think that Catalonia should become independent. First, when becoming independent, Catalonia will become a new country and therefore it will not be able to use the euro anymore. The new country will then need to create a new currency which will be very expensive to implement. Moreover, the country will also need to renegotiate its membership to the European Union and as Spain is against the independence, it is very likely that it will be against Catalonia entering the EU, therefore the process might be very long. Then, if it is not part of the European Union the country will have more difficulties to export and import in Spain and abroad as new taxes will be applicated to its products.
ReplyDeleteThe independence of Catalonia could have negative effects on the region but also on Spain. The independence of one region may give the idea to other regions to do the same. Moreover, as Catalonia is very important for the Spanish economy, its independence will probably generate a crisis in Spain.
The rift between the Catalans and Castillan Spain shows that efforts from numerous Spanish rulers across history fail to unify the nation under one identity. The Catalans consider themselves different from the rest of Spain due to the differences in language and culture, and this soon became the grounds for their attempted secession. During the early 20th century after the fall of the Spanish Empire, the parliament of the newly founded republican Spain became an outlet for the disillusioned Catalans to voice their aspirations. The Catalan independence movement from the Spanish Republic was spearheaded by Francesc Macia and his ERC party, managing to win a privileged status of autonomy in 1932 after negotiations with the leftist government, then battered by the political advances of the political right. After the conclusion of the Spanish civil war in 1938 and the victory of the nationalist Francisco Franco, Catalan autonomy was revoked, and all aspects of public life that was even slightly associated with Catalan identity were repressed. Hence, the Catalan independence hawks of today desire independence from Spain as they see the current government of Spain (the constitutional monarchy of Felipe VI) as an indirect continuation of Franco’s rule.
ReplyDeleteI once discussed this issue with my Catalan friend who actually voted Catalonia to leave Spain. I remember he was quite furious when his university was included in his certificate, it was written in "Spain" instead of "Catalonia" although he studied in Barcelona.
ReplyDeleteA little overview about Catalonia; it is a region located in northeastern Spain with Barcelona as its capital. It has its own language and culture which is different from Spanish (although quite similar) and the Catalans always defined themselves as a nation. Since it is considered a rich region, Spain collects a huge amount of taxes towards Catalonia yet what they give back is much less than the amount of money the region paid. Hence, if they leave Spain and the taxes they paid will actually be used Catalonia alone, it can be utilized to develop the region in order to advance its economy. However, leaving Spain means re-negotiating its deals towards the world in terms of trade as well as registering to become the EU member since there are certain requirements that needs to be fulfilled.