Think and action
Jordi Pujol's political philosophy encompasses many of the aspects that make up a modern society and a modern country.
These excerpts are taken from the speeches of President Pujol delivered between 1980-1986. Despite being the backbone of his ideology and the basis of government action, some of these concepts have been gradually expanded and altered over the years.
Self-government
Self-government is an instrument that serves this nation and strengthens our identity. It should allow us to make our own political decisions according to Catalonia's needs and the needs of its people. It should give us the sufficient financial resources to be able to act effectively. But despite the fact that here in Catalonia we have demanded those rights without threatening coexistence, social cohesion or the opportunity to move the country forward, much of Spanish society still resists recognizing our innate differences.
Social Cohesion
Catalunya must be able to maintain its historical continuity and, at the same time, encourage cultural and social integration of immigrants and their identification with Catalonia, all based on our traditional values of hard work and effort. Newcomers to Catalonia must have the right to move forward and create the best lives possible for themselves, as well as the responsibility to respect the rules and values that make up this culture.
Democracy
Democracy and the market economy are two of the recognized universal values in Europe. But they alone are not powerful enough to create the link between public and social solidarity and personal and group solidarity. Politics is an essential element of democracy. Politics means courageously overseeing the common good, which calls for a certain amount of spirituality, consistent ideas, solid values and a positive attitude that can lead to strong, long-term commitments.
Territorial Balance
Traditionally the Catalans have paid careful attention to territorial balance, allowing the whole of Catalonia, geographically and socially -its territory and population- to act as one single, lively and dynamic unit. Catalonia needs to maintain an equal balance between the capital city of Barcelona and the rest of the territory.
Welfare State
The European welfare state model is a success because, among all of the others around the world, it is the one that best attends to individual needs. It combines the creation of wealth with effective health protection for citizens and guarantees the right to education and the opportunity to progress.
Europe and the West
All communities of people need moral ties and a sensitivity underlying and strengthening their desire to form part of that community. One of the things that provides Europeans with this shared consciousness is a sense of history: we Europeans have been the ones who blazed the trails towards democracy and social progress. We, more than any other civilization, are the ones who have spread the values of liberty, modernity, plurality and the coexistence of language and people.
Identity
We are not people anchored to the past: we are people looking towards the future with the intention of remaining faithful to the heritage and language passed down to us by the founders of the Catalan nation. Our roots are Carolingian, Mediterranean and Peninsular. We must be capable of maintaining our identity in an open and receptive manner, while continuing to express the values Catalans have always upheld.
Nationalism
Nationalism is both the volition to be, and to be recognized. This includes a language, a culture, a history, a right, institutions and even a social philosophy. Thus, ethics and humanism are key to nationalism. It is our integrity of spirit and pride that imbues our demands as a nation with dignity and moral strength.
Economic Progress
There is an essential element to progress, and that is modernization. Not simply on the economic level, but also of the society as a whole. Catalonia is a small nation but must not close in on itself or it will be stifled. We must be innovative, look outward, export, become international. All of that results from constantly learning and expanding our horizons.
Values
Unless a country reflects clear ideas, solid values and positive attitudes it is unlikely to offer good politics, positive social action and a healthy economy. It is this ethical, moral and intellectual essence that provides a country with coherence, conviction and the energy to act. These values are the basis upon which a society functions.
