Articles by Jordi Pujol
Once again, “the three Catalanisms”
July 14, 2011
Four years ago, on 20 March 2007, we published an editorial with this same title, which largely reproduced a clandestine article from 1964, later published in 1978, during the transition to democracy. That is, it’s a text and an argument that we have used in times of changes in direction.
A reflection and a review that can no longer be postponed
July 06, 2011
We have remarked on one occasion that after years of unrestrained euphoria, we should reflect on how to save our Welfare State. It would be exaggerated and misleading to say that this crisis may destroy this system. But it does compel us to review it and make changes. And probably lower its ceiling in more than more way. If it is approached sensibly, as some European countries have done, this reform – whether total or partial – will not affect the substantial lines and levels of our Welfare State.
One year ago today...
June 28, 2011
One year ago today we received the ruling on the Statute for autonomy. A date that cannot be forgotten, as if nothing had happened. Because the ruling marked the culmination of a deeply negative process: the entire debate over the Statute – also with Catalan failures, it should be pointed out – but with superlatively negative attitudes and actions by virtually all the Spanish players.
“You lost and we don’t need you”
June 22, 2011
Some people are outraged by certain remarks emanating from Catalonia. These include: “There is a growing hostility between Catalonia and Spain”; Catalonia’s disaffection towards Spain is growing”; or even, “Something has broken” (between Catalonia and Spain). Or “trust has been lost”.
From reconstruction to hedonism via the Welfare State
June 15, 2011
Over the last sixty years, European societies have passed through three stages. First came the reconstruction after the Second World War. States physically – and sometimes morally – devastated took the decision to rebuild their countries. They were years of great and generous efforts made by their populations to which politics lent its support, help and drive. Each year Europe was able to set itself higher goals.
Looking the future in the face
June 08, 2011
Three years ago, The Economist gave the first warning: “The party is over”. The journal’s headline referred to Spain and to the way Spain had lived way beyond its means, exaggeratedly and imprudently, halfway between a highly expansive conjuncture and a very big balloon. Yet this had to end, or it was already ending.
Sense of responsibility. And moral authority
June 01, 2011
The next four years will be difficult for Catalonia. But we have enough assets, as we have often said, to overcome the situation. But things will be very difficult in at least three aspects: economic – riding out the crisis, and above all the recovery of the business sector –, social – on two fronts, unemployment on the one hand, and the maintenance of the social services on the other –, and national – the pressure been applied on the Generalitat’s powers and on the Catalan language. All this is compounded by the possible repercussions from the ruling delivered by the Constitutional Court, and further aggravated by poor Spanish governance and the negative stance of both the PP and the PSOE.
Letter to a Portuguese friend
May 25, 2011
Dear friend,
A few days ago, we had a conversation in Cascais about the rescue package the European Union and the International Monetary Fund is preparing for Portugal. We also spoke about the Greek rescue plan, which was implemented a year ago and which is in danger of failing. It's almost certain that Greece will need a further bail-out, and this may not be enough.
Time for outrage! And what else?
May 11, 2011
An essay entitled Time for outrage! was recently published. It was written by Stéphane Hessel, a former French Resistance fighter and a participant author of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Catalonia will be social or she will not be
May 03, 2011
In 1958, I wrote in a clandestine sheet, “Catalonia will be faithful to the ideal of social justice or she will not be”. And also, “the Catalan movement will be social or it will not be”. Or, “a Catalan policy must be a social policy, not only for political philosophy or tactics, - and clearly not for reasons of fashion - but for the intrinsic demands of the Catalan approach”.
