What is Autonomy?

Autonomy means self-government, that is, the capacity of being governed by oneself. Although not in terms of full sovereignty, as an Independent State, but with the recognition of the existence of a collective subject with the capacity  to take initiatives in essential aspects such as the preservation and promotion of its own personality, with the capacity to draw up and implement its own plan. This collective subject would be a part of the broader framework of a State, yet blessed with political and symbolic recognition and with the powers and financing that allow it to undertake its collective task.

So Autonomy is not on a par with independence and therefore does not grant powers to make decisions in all areas. Nor is autonomy equal to decentralisation, which is a strictly administrative process. In a decentralised system the autonomous region applies the only real existing political power, imposed by the central government, which passes and enforces the law. This, together with its financial dependence to central power, often impedes the autonomy from taking important initiatives. Yet to have its own project – compatible with the ruling State, but without the State’s interference in everything that falls within autonomous powers - is one of the raisons d’être of Autonomy.

We refer to collectives that have a true vocation for self-government and for the fulfilment, conservation and development of its own personality. And which are consequently willing to assume the responsibility this entails.

The authenticity of a feeling and yearning for autonomy is gauged by the degree of responsibility that the autonomy is willing to assume. True autonomy not only accepts responsibility but embraces it. Namely, because it aspires to take its own important initiatives neither delegated nor conditioned. And if necessary, to take on difficult responsibilities. In any case, it aspires to take on the maximum possible responsibility in everything that affects the people of its own country.

Let us provide some examples of what we have said thus far.

Catalonia almost immediately requested the transfer of jurisdiction over prisons, which no other autonomous region wanted and, consequently, none has to date. It is a rather conflictive competence that earns neither prestige nor votes and is easily vulnerable to deficits. This is proof that the new Catalonia seeks not autonomy for questions of prestige or to gain administrative power that is unrelated to self-government, but that is rewarding in terms of local political influence. A true vocation for self-government means taking the rough with the smooth, being useful to its people with the maximum possible responsibility. It does not seek to devote itself solely or above all to cutting ribbons.

Another example is policing. One of the highest and most risky of competencies that – aside from the Basque Country – only Catalonia has requested and exercised. The other Spanish Autonomous Communities do not want this precisely for the reasons mentioned. Surprising as it may seem, it was equally hard for some Autonomous Communities to take on the competencies of Healthcare and even Education, because these are areas that easily produce the highest deficits and the biggest headaches.

Indeed, Healthcare offers a good example of what Autonomy can or cannot be. The ministers de la Vega and Solbes appear to agree on overseeing Healthcare in the Autonomous Communities. This may signify a reduction in the capacity for Catalonia to create its own model of health system. As an example, in the mid 80s the Generalitat and the Central Government discussed in depth the healthcare model and hospital policy. The Generalitat planned to set up a network of county hospitals, in accordance with its policy of regional balance and proximity, while in contrast the Ministry of Health proposed only a few very large hospitals.  And it wanted to set it as a condition to reach an agreement on the financing of Healthcare. But autonomy meant and means that the Generalitat receives the money it is due without conditions, leaving it free to implement its own model. As it was eventually allowed to do with Healthcare.

One other example. Two years ago the Spanish Parliament passed the Dependency Law, which incomprehensibly the Government of the Generalitat did not appeal against even when it flagrantly encroaches on the Generalitat’s powers. This is serious, as it implies renouncing decisions on very important aspects of assistance to people and their wellbeing. It is a fact that astounds and scandalises, because one of the things that gives most meaning to autonomy is to offer the best possible treatment to the people of the country. And this cannot be achieved through administrative directives from a Law made in Madrid that disregards Catalonia’s social reality and project, but through a Law that contemplates this autonomy’s own reality and projects. This has happened in many areas (we have already mentioned healthcare), and self-governing criteria have yielded good results.
 
Although Autonomy is not equal to independence, full respect for everything that by law corresponds to the autonomous institutions is essential. It is indispensable that State powers respect the autonomous institutions and, naturally, it is also essential, that these be worthy of respect. Autonomous Communities must exercise their rights, which are also their duties, something that not always happens, either for convenience or because they are reluctant to assume risks.

Central Governments often (very often in Spain) apply political and financial funding pressure on autonomous institutions with the aim of interfering and conditioning their initiatives, above all in the social and cultural areas. The moment the autonomous government cedes or finds itself in economic difficulties, the Central Government steps in on initiatives that logically should solely correspond to Catalan society – with support, if necessary, of our institutions. Madrid should not impose itself on us.

This happens with economic issues and also and especially with cultural and social activities, that is, with initiatives that help to promote a country’s image. The image that the citizens make of their own country that defines their adhesion to it. In other words, these are no chance intromissions.

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It is worth recalling this now as we await the outcome of the new Statute. To see whether it will be good enough for us.

It is yet to be seen whether the final result will give us the green light to proceed with our own project for a country that will allow us to achieve what is essential for Catalonia:

- Preservation of our identity, with special emphasis on language, culture and everything related to integration.
- Economic development. Capacity to create wealth and to innovate.
- Social cohesion and cohabitation of the citizenry, and as such, capacity to create a just and equal society.
- Adequate funding. Insufficient financing prevents the Generalitat from meeting its commitments with its citizens’ needs, and hinders the country’s own initiatives.