What is at stake?

It seems that the problem that Catalonia currently faces concerns her financing. And this is true. But it is not solely this question. Catalonia is facing many more challenges. Some of these challenges are of a general nature that is affecting Spain as a whole, Europe as a whole, and the entire world. And they are quite recent, some date back only seven or eight years ago.

1.    The new technologies and, simultaneously, extremely profound changes occurring at an accelerated pace. In many fields: telecommunications, information technology, transport, production, etc.

2.    Globalisation, which affects everything from the economy to culture. This first became noticeable fifteen years ago, but its impact has intensified far more rapidly since the year 2000.

3.    The most recent challenge is the deep economic crisis in which we are immersed.

We believe that Catalonia is in a good position to tackle these three challenges if she has adequate economic resources, competent self-government and her people adopt a positive attitude. However, the following challenges may prove more difficult to respond to:

4.    Mass immigration of the last 8-10 years. Catalonia is an acute case, probably Europe’s most acute. And immigration poses a challenge to our identity as a people.

5.    All this is taking place within the highly negative atmosphere of the Catalonia’s relationship with the rest of Spain. This is hindering the indispensable, substantial and fair improvement of our mechanisms of financing. And also makes the implementation of our Statue of Autonomy more uncertain.

6.    These circumstances may give rise to a serious threat to Catalonia’s continuity as a people.

                                                           
This is not exaggerated alarmism. It is simply a warning cry. And we are not the only ones to say it.

In a recent article published in l'Avui (9-IX-08), the historian Ferran Mascarell writes that it is not only the question of financing that is at stake, but also the validity of the constitutional agreement and the model of the State. One sentence sums it up very aptly: “Spain needs to be aware that the Catalans demanding a fair system of financing and the comprehensive application of their national rights”. This is exactly so. And the first right of a country is TO BE.


It is not exaggerated to speak of aggression and of serious threats as a highly realistic possibility. Imagine the following scenario:

The Constitutional Court reduces further the powers of the Statute:

a)    In language regulations (for example, language immersion or the right to be attended to in Catalan);
b)    In the possibility to act linguistically, administratively and socially on immigration with an integrating objective;
c)    On the Generalitat’s capacity to implement a policy of social cohesion that takes into consideration the Catalan reality.

To this we should add the risk, already mentioned, of maintaining an oppressive  economic policy. As things stand, it is a very possible scenario. All this represents a very extreme threat to Catalonia.

And this may happen. It would not displease in the least political leaders, opinion makers and the Spanish legal system; on the contrary, they would be delighted.

Were this to happen, Catalonia would have to take serious and concerted action. With or without unity, yet a sufficiently far-reaching and tough action. Directed, firstly, at the citizens of Catalonia. At least to those who value Catalonia and take pride in being Catalan. And subsequently, as a united and energetic action to confront the State policies of language, cultural, political and social homogenisation.

We are not seeking to dramatise the situation. Things are as they are, and they are like this. Naturally we need to tackle the oppressive economic and identity policy with serenity. And this we can do, with serenity. And we can do it. Because we have a long tradition of responsible attitudes and actions. And we have already defeated all attempts at assimilation and of weakening Catalonia. With serenity, as we said. But without allowing ourselves to be sweet-talked with deceitful reasoning, with appeals for reason made by people who have often misled and acted irresponsibly. If anyone can give lessons on responsibility and fair play, it is us.

If we do it this way, we will win the great battle. We will improve sufficiently or insufficiently our self-government, but we will not yield. And we will bolster our self-esteem, our consciousness of a country and boost our capacity to improve the lot of our society. At the service of all the citizens of Catalonia.

And the crisis will have helped us to make headway


Note: It is not the first time we have warned of the current dangers. For example, we referred to it in our editorial of 1 July l (What’s going on?), available on this website and which we recommend you read.