Catalan Uprising: a Matter of Inclusion? an In-Depth Case Study of Decentralization and Secessionism in Spain and Catalonia

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Catalan Uprising: a Matter of Inclusion? an In-Depth Case Study of Decentralization and Secessionism in Spain and Catalonia Catalan uprising: a matter of inclusion? An in-depth case study of decentralization and secessionism in Spain and Catalonia Andrés Durante Bachelor Thesis Uppsala University, Spring 2018 Department of Government Supervisor: Niklas Bremberg Words: 13379 Pages: 39 Abstract The scholarly field on decentralization and its relationship with secessionism is divided. Two camps can be distinguished, with opposite conclusions concerning the merits of autonomy concessions. A lack of systematic attention given to the varying capacity of decentralization to produce contrary outcomes has been identified. To address this, an in-depth case analysis on decentralization and secessionism in Spain and Catalonia was conducted. Using a theoretically- guided process tracing approach, this study explores the role of the state on the causal argument. Main findings suggest an increase in secessionist activity when full inclusion through central power sharing arrangements within the state’s executive organs is absent or limited. Keywords: decentralization, secessionism, autonomy, power sharing, Spain, Catalonia Table of contents LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ......................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1 2 THEORY ..................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Literature review............................................................................................................................ 4 2.3 Theoretical framework .................................................................................................................. 6 3 METHOD ................................................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Operationalization of dependent and independent variables ...................................................... 9 3.1.1 Dependent variable ................................................................................................................ 9 3.1.2 Independent variable .............................................................................................................. 9 3.2 Operationalization of causal mechanism .................................................................................... 10 3.2.1 Causal mechanism hypotheses ............................................................................................. 10 3.3 Validity and reliability .................................................................................................................. 10 3.4 Case selection .............................................................................................................................. 11 3.5 Process tracing ............................................................................................................................. 13 3.6 Sources of empirical material ...................................................................................................... 14 4 EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................... 15 4.1 Spain and Catalonia ..................................................................................................................... 15 4.1.1 Dependent variable .............................................................................................................. 15 4.1.2 Independent variable ............................................................................................................ 17 4.2 1978-1983: Autonomy pacts ....................................................................................................... 17 4.2.1 H1: “Implement regional autonomy concessions and power sharing arrangements” ........ 18 4.2.2 Interpretation ....................................................................................................................... 19 4.2.3 Alternative explanation(s) .................................................................................................... 20 4.3 1983-2000: Demands for greater autonomy ............................................................................... 21 4.3.1 H2: “Demand increased self-governance and pressure the state through substantial means obtained from autonomy concessions” ......................................................................................... 21 4.3.2 Interpretation ....................................................................................................................... 23 4.3.3 Alternative explanation(s) .................................................................................................... 24 4.4 2000-2010: Resistance from the central government................................................................. 24 4.4.1 H3: “Deny demands for greater autonomy, produce unfavorable policies and/or attempt recentralization” ............................................................................................................................ 24 4.4.2 Interpretation ....................................................................................................................... 27 4.4.3 Alternative explanation(s) .................................................................................................... 27 4.5 2010-present: Catalan uprising.................................................................................................... 27 4.5.1 H4: “Mobilize against a perceived unfair treatment of the state” ....................................... 27 4.5.2 Interpretation ....................................................................................................................... 29 4.5.3 Alternative explanation(s) .................................................................................................... 30 4.6 Consistency with hypotheses ...................................................................................................... 31 4.7 Limitations ................................................................................................................................... 31 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION .................................................................................................. 32 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 33 List of figures and tables FIGURE 1. Hypothesized causal mechanism ............................................................................................ 8 FIGURE 2. Reverse causation ................................................................................................................. 21 FIGURE 3. Public opinion in Catalonia 2010-2018 on self-identification ............................................... 29 TABLE 1. Public opinion in Catalonia 2010-2018 on political status...................................................... 28 1 Introduction Does decentralization, a system of government in which there is a vertical division of power, instigate or inhibit secessionism? Despite being subject to extensive study, there is little agreement in the literature. According to some scholars, granting autonomy concessions for ethnic groups promotes new demands for self-governance or even independence while other scholars argue that decentralization arrangements alleviate ethnic tensions and reduces the probability of secessionist conflict. In practice, evidence shows that decentralization has generated mixed results, suggesting an important research gap (see Bakke 2015). As such, to pursue further clarity on this phenomenon, the following research question was developed: “When does decentralization prevent and/or reduce secessionism?” This question is significant because autonomous claims by territorially concentrated ethnic minorities are at the center of the political agenda for many states. By analyzing Spain and Catalonia through a theoretical framework based on the role of the state in secessionist activity, the purpose of this study is to broaden our understanding and explore the different potential causal directions associated with decentralization. Previous research has generally studied cases where conflict has been present but ignored cases where autonomy has had a preventive effect. Also, the interaction between regional autonomy and power sharing at the center has rarely been analyzed and few studies take reverse causation into account (Cederman et al. 2015). In turn, this study aims to make a contribution by addressing these shortcomings. Once regarded as a democratic example of a successfully implemented decentralization model, the Spanish system of government is now under intense scrutiny. Likewise, Catalonia has often been praised for its civic nationalism, yet recent developments suggest a more complex relationship than previously anticipated. A modern Catalan secessionist movement is on the rise, seeking independence from Spain and to establish Catalonia as a sovereign state. The general structure of this study is as follows: the next section introduces conceptual definitions followed by a literature review. Then, the theoretical
Recommended publications
  • Claiming Independence in 140 Characters. Uses of Metaphor in the Construction of Scottish and Catalan Political Discourses on Twitter
    CLAIMING INDEPENDENCE IN 140 CHARACTERS. USES OF METAPHOR IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCOTTISH AND CATALAN POLITICAL DISCOURSES ON TWITTER Carlota Maria Moragas Fernández ADVERTIMENT. L'accés als continguts d'aquesta tesi doctoral i la seva utilització ha de respectar els drets de la persona autora. Pot ser utilitzada per a consulta o estudi personal, així com en activitats o materials d'investigació i docència en els termes establerts a l'art. 32 del Text Refós de la Llei de Propietat Intel·lectual (RDL 1/1996). Per altres utilitzacions es requereix l'autorització prèvia i expressa de la persona autora. En qualsevol cas, en la utilització dels seus continguts caldrà indicar de forma clara el nom i cognoms de la persona autora i el títol de la tesi doctoral. No s'autoritza la seva reproducció o altres formes d'explotació efectuades amb finalitats de lucre ni la seva comunicació pública des d'un lloc aliè al servei TDX. Tampoc s'autoritza la presentació del seu contingut en una finestra o marc aliè a TDX (framing). Aquesta reserva de drets afecta tant als continguts de la tesi com als seus resums i índexs. ADVERTENCIA. El acceso a los contenidos de esta tesis doctoral y su utilización debe respetar los derechos de la persona autora. Puede ser utilizada para consulta o estudio personal, así como en actividades o materiales de investigación y docencia en los términos establecidos en el art. 32 del Texto Refundido de la Ley de Propiedad Intelectual (RDL 1/1996). Para otros usos se requiere la autorización previa y expresa de la persona autora.
    [Show full text]
  • A Critical Discourse Analysis of Artur Mas's Selected
    Raymond Echitchi “Catalunya no és Espanya”: A critical discourse... 7 “CATALUNYA NO ÉS ESPANYA”: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF ARTUR MAS’S SELECTED SPEECHES Raymond Echitchi, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: This article is a Critical Discourse Analysis of secessionist discourse in Catalonia in the light of a selection of speeches given by Artur Mas. This work aims at deciphering the linguistic strategies used by Mas to construct a separate Catalan identity in three of his speeches, namely his acceptance, inauguration and 2014 referendum speeches. The analysis of these speeches was carried out in the light of Ruth Wodak’s Discourse-historical Approach to Critical Discourse and yielded the identification of three sets strategies to which Artur Mas mostly resorts; singularisation and autonomisation strategies, assimilation and cohesivation strategies and finally continuation strategies. Keywords: Catalonia, sub-state nationalism, secessionism, Critical Discourse Analysis. Resumen: Este artículo analiza, mediante el Análisis Crítico del Discurso, las disertaciones secesionistas en Cataluña de los discursos de Artur Mas. En este trabajo, se pretende captar las estrategias lingüísticas utilizadas por Mas para construir una identidad catalana separada en tres discursos que presentó; en su investidura, su toma de posesión y antes de celebrar el referéndum de 2014. El análisis de estos discursos se llevó a cabo a la luz de la aproximación histórica discursiva de Ruth Wodak y dio lugar a la identificación de tres tipos de estrategias en estos discursos: las estrategias de singularización y autonomización, las estrategias de asimilación y cohesión y las estrategias de continuidad. Palabras clave: Cataluña, nacionalimo sub-estatal, secesionismo, Análisis Crítico del Discurso.
    [Show full text]
  • ¿Qué Publican Los Diarios Impresos? El Caso Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México
    RAZÓN Y PALABRA Primera Revista Electrónica en América Latina Especializada en Comunicación www.razonypalabra.org.mx ¿QUÉ PUBLICAN LOS DIARIOS IMPRESOS? EL CASO CIUDAD VICTORIA, TAMAULIPAS, MÉXICO Carlos David Santamaría Ochoa 1 Resumen Los medios impresos en Ciudad Victoria, capital del estado mexicano de Tamaulipas incluyen en sus ediciones cotidianas trabajos periodísticos de interés general, sin embargo, los mismos se centran en dos géneros: noticia o nota informativa y columna, lo que se pone de manifiesto en cada una de sus ediciones. Una revisión de los periódicos diarios impresos en sus secciones locales revela que géneros como la crónica, el reportaje o la entrevista son escasos: el periodista se centra en la elaboración de noticias breves y piezas de opinión. La revisión en dos espacios de tiempo nos muestra la forma en que se desarrolla el periodismo en Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México, destacando la ausencia de la entrevista periodística como género, así como crónicas y artículos. Palabras Clave Periódicos diarios, géneros periodísticos, noticias Abstract The print media in Ciudad Victoria, capital of Tamaulipas state include in its daily editions of general interest journalism, however, they are focused on two genres: news or statement and column, which is evident in each one of its editions. A review of the printed daily newspapers reveals that gender and chronic or interview is limited, as the journalist focuses on the development of short news and opinion pieces. The review in two time slots shows how journalism is developed in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico, highlighting the absence of gender newspaper interview as well as reports and articles.
    [Show full text]
  • Constructing Contemporary Nationhood in the Museums and Heritage Centres of Catalonia Colin Breen*, Wes Forsythe**, John Raven***
    170 Constructing Contemporary Nationhood in the Museums and Heritage Centres of Catalonia Colin Breen*, Wes Forsythe**, John Raven*** Abstract Geographically, Spain consists of a complex mosaic of cultural identities and regional aspirations for varying degrees of autonomy and independence. Following the end of violent conflict in the Basque country, Catalonia has emerged as the most vocal region pursuing independence from the central Spanish state. Within the Catalan separatist movement, cultural heritage sites and objects have been appropriated to play an intrinsic role in supporting political aims, with a variety of cultural institutions and state-sponsored monumentality playing an active part in the formation and dissemination of particular identity-based narratives. These are centred around the themes of a separate and culturally distinct Catalan nation which has been subject to extended periods of oppression by the varying manifestations of the Spanish state. This study addresses the increasing use of museums and heritage institutions to support the concept of a separate and distinctive Catalan nation over the past decade. At various levels, from the subtle to the blatant, heritage institutions are propagating a message of cultural difference and past injustice against the Catalan people, and perform a more consciously active, overt and supportive role in the independence movement. Key words: Catalonia, museums, heritage, identity, nationhood Across contemporary Europe a range of nationalist and separatist movements are again gaining momentum (Borgen 2010). From calls for independence in Scotland and the divisive politics of the Flemish and Walloon communities in Belgium, to the continually complicated political mosaic of the Balkan states, there are now a myriad of movements striving for either greater or full autonomy for their region or peoples.
    [Show full text]
  • Jordi Pujol Hagi Entrat Amb Gaire Bon Peu a La Presidència De La Generalitat
    i %<s>. I ENTT15 vostè té crèdit cada dia a 2.600.000 establiments Una targeta extraordinària per als nostres clients No es tracta només que vostè tingui avantatges si vol anar a Pestranger. El que importa és que la targeta també li sigui útil aquí quan faci les compres habituals en un supermercat, una sabateria o qualsevol establiment comercial, quan hagi de pagar el compte d'un restaurant, comprar una joguina o fer un regal Ja pot fer les coses de cada dia sense haver de dur diners! A cada pas veurà un establiment que té a la porta la reproducció de la nostra targeta. Hi serà ben rebut, perquè vostè s'hi presentarà com una persona de crèdit JL· CAIXA DT5TALVI5 DE CATALUNYA CAÍXA DE TOTS li ofereix gratuïtament la Targeta Master Charge Carta del director En aquest Les primeres passes Amic lector: No es pot dir que el senyor Jordi Pujol hagi entrat amb gaire bon peu a la Presidència de la Generalitat. Cartes a L'HORA. Pàg. 5 El sistema electoral vigent provoca, tant a Catalunya com arreu de l'Estat, que sigui molt difícil per a un partit polític assolir la majoria absoluta. Es pot dir que guanyi qui guanyi, dels resultats electorals es desprèn sempre un poder Pujol, president a la segona, per AL- dèbil que ha de pactar-ho tot, igual que passava a França amb la IV República. BERT GARRIDO. Pàgs. 6 a 8. D'altra part, la victòria electoral de Pujol va ser molt ajustada i es pot dir que. el seu programa ha anat endavant per l'imperatiu que senten els partits cata-* Jordi Pujol, president 115 de la Ge- lans de no frenar el procés institucionalitzador de Catalunya.
    [Show full text]
  • ?El Desè President De La Generalitat, Inhabilitat
    Punt de vista | Joan Roma | Actualitzat el 12/10/2020 a les 08:23 ?El desè President de la Generalitat, inhabilitat Deixem les coses clares, ja d'entrada, per evitar malentesos posteriors. Quim Torra, ha estat el desè president de la Generalitat de Catalunya i no el número 131, com els independentistes volen fer creure, seguint una nomenclatura que es va inventar l'historiador Josep M. Solé i Sabaté l'any 2003, en una obra per ser inclosa dintre de l'Enciclopèdia Catalana. En un exercici de salt al buit, fent servir un munt de consideracions, va fixar els inicis de la presidència de la Generalitat, en Berenguer de Cruïlles, eclesiàstic , entre els anys 1359 i el 1362, fins acabar amb Josep de Vilamala, 1713 - 1714. Aquests imaginaris ?presidents? tots eren eclesiàstics, formant part d'un dels braços de la Diputació del General de Catalunya, però sense cap de les competències que té un president. Si s'acceptés aquesta relació, resultaria que Catalunya hauria tingut 121 ?presidents? capellans. Quan dic capellans, vull dir eclesiàstics perquè hi podríem trobar des de monjos, a bisbes, i altres càrrecs religiosos, però tots pertanyents a l'església catòlica, i en ple exercici de les seves funcions. Ens hem de creure aquest invent ? La realitat és que el primer president fou Francesc Macià, elegit el 17 d'abril de 1931, i a partir d'aquí, l'han seguit Lluis Companys, Josep Irla ( a l'exili) , Josep Tarradellas ( a l'exili, fins el seu retorn ), Jordi Pujol, Pasqual Maragall, José Montilla, Artur Mas, Carles Puigdemont i Joaquim Torra.
    [Show full text]
  • The Catalan Struggle for Independence
    THE CATALAN STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE An analysis of the popular support for Catalonia’s secession from Spain Master Thesis Political Science Specialization: International Relations Date: 24.06.2019 Name: Miquel Caruezo (s1006330) Email: [email protected] Supervisor: Dr. Angela Wigger Image Source: Photo by NOTAVANDAL on Unsplash (Free for commercial or non-commercial use) Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Chapter 1: Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Resource Mobilization Theory ...................................................................................................... 7 1.1.1 Causal Mechanisms ................................................................................................................ 9 1.1.2 Hypotheses........................................................................................................................... 10 1.2 Norm Life Cycle Theory ............................................................................................................... 11 1.2.1 Causal Mechanisms .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • An Ever More Divided Union?
    An ever more divided Union? Contemporary separatism in the European Union: a comparative case study of Scotland, Catalonia and Flanders MA Thesis by T.M. Wencker (s1386042) European Union Studies, Leiden University [email protected] Supervisor: Prof. Dr. J.Q.T. Rood Second Marker: Dr. Mr. Anne-Isabelle Richard 2 1 Figure A: 'If all separatists had their way... 1 One Europe, If all separatists had their way…, (25-07-2013) accessed at 07-09-2014 via: http://one- europe.info/in-brief/if-all-separatists-had-their-way 3 Table of contents: - Introduction p.6 o Note on sources and methods p.9 o Note on Scottish case p.9 - Part I: An analysis of European separatism o Chapter I: Separatism as a phenomenon . Definitions p.11 . Origins p.12 . Self-determination p.14 . Unilateral Secession p.15 . Chapter review and conclusions p.18 - Part II: The cases of Scotland, Catalonia and Flanders o Chapter II: Scotland . Background p.21 . The case for Scottish independence p.23 . The imagined community of Scotland p.25 . It’s Scotland’s oil! P.28 . Scotland and the EU p.31 . EU-membership: a contested bone p.34 . Chapter review and conclusions p.37 o Chapter III: Catalonia . Background p.39 . The imagined community of Catalonia p.42 . The case for Catalonian independence p.47 . Unilateral secession and the EU? P.50 . Chapter review and conclusions p.54 o Chapter IV: Flanders . Background p.55 . The Belgian imagined communities p.56 . Understanding Flemish separatism p.59 . Flanders and the EU p.61 . Chapter review and conclusions p.62 - Part III: Connecting the dots: conclusions about separatism in the European Union o Chapter V: connecting the dots .
    [Show full text]
  • Bulls and Donkeys. National Identity and Symbols in Catalonia and Spain
    9TH ANNUAL JOAN GILI MEMORIAL LECTURE Miquel Strubell i Trueta Bulls and donkeys. National identity and symbols in Catalonia and Spain The Anglo-Catalan Society 2008 2 Bulls and donkeys. National identity and symbols in Catalonia and Spain 9TH ANNUAL JOAN GILI MEMORIAL LECTURE Miquel Strubell i Trueta Bulls and donkeys. National identity and symbols in Catalonia and Spain The Anglo-Catalan Society 2008 2 3 The Annual Joan Gili Memorial Lecture Bulls and donkeys. National identity and symbols in Catalonia and 1 Spain In this paper, after an initial discussion about what identity means and how to measure it, I intend to review some studies and events in Spain in which identity issues arise. The conclusion will be reached that identities in Spain, in regard to people’s relationship with Spain itself and with Catalonia, are by no means shared, and the level of both stereotyping and prejudice, on the one hand, and of collective insecurity (even “self-hatred”) on the other, are, I claim, higher than in consolidated nation-states of western Europe, with the partial exceptions of the United Kingdom and Belgium. Let me from the outset say how honoured I am, in having been invited to deliver this paper, to follow in the footsteps of such outstanding Catalan academics as Mercè Ibarz, Antoni Segura, Joan F. Mira, Marta Pessarrodona, Miquel Berga … and those before them. The idea of dedicating what up till then had been the Fundació Congrés de Cultura lectures to the memory of Joan Gili (Barcelona 1907 - Oxford 1998) was an inspiration. Unlike some earlier Memorial lecturers, however, I was fortunate enough to have a special personal relationship with him and, of course, with his wife Elizabeth.
    [Show full text]
  • El Papel Del Rey En La Política Exterior De España Durante La Transición
    UNIVERSIDAD PONTIFICIA COMILLAS Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales Grado en Relaciones Internacionales Trabajo Fin de Grado El papel del Rey en la política exterior de España durante la Transición Estudiante: Teresa Sáenz de Santa María Zubiría Director: Prof. Carlos López Gómez Madrid, junio 2018 RESUMEN Este trabajo trata sobre el papel del Rey Juan Carlos I en las relaciones internacionales de España durante la Transición española. La política exterior heredada del tardofranquismo y las funciones de Don Juan Carlos como Rey de España son Estudiadas como base para contextualizar la situación y el punto de salida en el que se encuentra España tras la muerte de Franco. Se estudia el impacto de la fiGura del monarca en la apertura exterior del país. Los viajes internacionales fueron un instrumento clave para dicha labor. En especial se destacan dos viajes, por un lado, el primero que realiza el Rey tras su proclamación, a Estados Unidos tras una para en la Republica Dominicana, siendo el primer rey español que visita el país norteamericano, y por otro, el último viaje previo a la Constitución Española de 1978, a México, con extensión a Perú y ArGentina. A través de ellos, el monarca manda un mensaje internacional sobre su visión de la nueva etapa y la apertura al exterior de España, posteriormente en México un mensaje de evolución y proGreso del país. El Rey fue fundamental para reforzar las relaciones con Estados Unidos y reconstruirlas con México creando un vínculo indudable con Latinoamérica. PALABRAS CLAVE Transición, Rey Juan Carlos I, Monarquía española, política exterior española, apertura internacional, viajes oficiales internacionales, Estados Unidos, México, Latinoamérica, Iberoamérica.
    [Show full text]
  • The Regions of Spain
    © 2017 American University Model United Nations Conference All rights reserved. No part of this background guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without express written permission from the American University Model United Nations Conference Secretariat. Please direct all questions to [email protected] A NOTE Julia Clark Chair Estimats Diputats del Parlament de Catalunya, Dear Diputats of the Parliament of Catalonia, My name is Julia Clark and I’ll be serving as your Chair for the Parliament of Catalonia. I cannot wait to meet all of you in February. Time is of the essence and the Catalan Republic needs creating! As for a little bit about myself: MUN is my life! Last year, I served on the AmeriMUNC Secretariat as the Charges D’Affaires and currently I am an Assistant Head Delegate of the AU Model United Nations competitive travel team. I have done MUN for seven years, competing at 24 conferences across the US and Canada, and I once chaired a conference in the Netherlands! I’m proud to say that AmeriMUNC will be my eighth time chairing. Outside of MUN, I am also the President of my sorority, Phi Mu. If you have any questions about greek life or collegiate MUN, I’d love to chat via email or at the conference. I’m personally very excited to be forming our own new nation, the Catalan Republic. I just studied abroad for four months in Madrid, Spain and was at the center of the real life action surrounding the Catalan independence movement.
    [Show full text]
  • Catalonia, Spain and Europe on the Brink: Background, Facts, And
    Catalonia, Spain and Europe on the brink: background, facts, and consequences of the failed independence referendum, the Declaration of Independence, the arrest and jailing of Catalan leaders, the application of art 155 of the Spanish Constitution and the calling for elections on December 21 A series of first in history. Examples of “what is news” • On Sunday, October 1, Football Club Barcelona, world-known as “Barça”, multiple champion in Spanish, European and world competitions in the last decade, played for the first time since its foundation in 1899 at its Camp Nou stadium, • Catalan independence leaders were taken into custody in “sedition and rebellion” probe • Heads of grassroots pro-secession groups ANC and Omnium were investigated over September incidents Results • Imprisonment of Catalan independence leaders gives movement new momentum: • Asamblea Nacional Catalana (Jordi Sànchez) and • Òmnium Cultural (Jordi Cuixart), • Thousands march against decision to jail them • Spain’s Constitutional Court strikes down Catalan referendum law • Key background: • The Catalan Parliament had passed two laws • One would attempt to “disengage” the Catalan political system from Spain’s constitutional order • The second would outline the bases for a “Republican Constitution” of an independent Catalonia The Catalan Parliament factions • In the Parliament of Catalonia, parties explicitly supporting independence are: • Partit Demòcrata Europeu Català (Catalan European Democratic Party; PDeCAT), formerly named Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya
    [Show full text]