DOCSLIB.ORG

The Spanish Divide: a Rhetorical Analysis of Political Speeches

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Spanish Divide: a Rhetorical Analysis of Political Speeches THE SPANISH DIVIDE A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL SPEECHES DESCRIBING THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM ON OCTOBER 1, 2017 Amy de Vries ANR 1232212 June 11th 2018 Tilburg University Liberal Arts and Sciences Bachelor Thesis (840900) Under the supervision of dr. T.G. Leesen Second reading by dr. D.J.M.S Janssens Contents Chapter 1: Identifying the Relationship ........................................................................................................ 3 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3 The History of the Conflict ........................................................................................................................ 3 The Modern Legal Relationship ................................................................................................................ 4 Research Question .................................................................................................................................... 5 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Structure ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Relevance .................................................................................................................................................. 7 Chapter 2: The Foundation ........................................................................................................................... 8 History ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Ethos .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Pathos ........................................................................................................................................................ 9 Logos ....................................................................................................................................................... 10 Theoretical Application ........................................................................................................................... 11 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 3: Four Speeches viewed through the lens of Aristotle ................................................................. 13 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Key events ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Prime Minister Rajoy: Televised Press Conference on 1 October 2017 ................................................. 15 Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Ethos .................................................................................................................................................... 17 Pathos .................................................................................................................................................. 17 Logos.................................................................................................................................................... 18 Nigel Farage: European Union Parliament Speech on 3 October 2017 .................................................. 20 Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 20 Ethos .................................................................................................................................................... 21 Pathos .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Logos.................................................................................................................................................... 22 Felipe VI, King of Spain: State of the Union Address on 3 October 2017 ............................................... 23 Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 23 Ethos .................................................................................................................................................... 24 Pathos .................................................................................................................................................. 24 1 Logos.................................................................................................................................................... 26 President of the Catalan Government Carles Puigdemont ..................................................................... 27 : Catalan Parliament on 10 October 2017 ............................................................................................... 27 Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 27 Ethos .................................................................................................................................................... 29 Pathos .................................................................................................................................................. 30 Logos.................................................................................................................................................... 31 Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 33 Ethos, Pathos & Logos ............................................................................................................................. 33 The Legality of Spanish Constitutionalists ............................................................................................... 34 The Legality of Catalan Independents ..................................................................................................... 35 History and Economics ............................................................................................................................ 37 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 38 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................... 39 Attachment 1: President Rajoy: Press Conference ................................................................................. 42 Attachment 2: Nigel Farage: European Parliament ................................................................................ 47 Attachment 3: King Felipe VI State of the Union Address ...................................................................... 49 Attachment 4: Carles Puigdemont : Catalonia Parliament ..................................................................... 51 2 Chapter 1: Identifying the Relationship Introduction On October 1st, 2017 Catalonia and Spain were the focus of the world when the Spanish region of Catalonia held a referendum, asking the Catalonian citizens to vote for or against independence. The referendum brought the Catalonian government on a collision course with the Spanish state. The impact resonated when the National Police, the Guardia Civil, violently intervened in attempt to stop the referendum by using repressive measures, rubber bullets, fists, and batons. This violence resulted in more than 900 seriously injured Catalonian citizens, all while being broadcasted on the television in homes around the world (Dearden, 2017). These scenes have reverberated over news stations for months as if it were the first time this conflict has occurred. This is not the case, since the tensions between Spain and Catalonia have a long history. The History of the Conflict To comprehend the current conflict between Spain and Catalonia, understanding the relationship and the history they share is imperative. The historical tensions echo into our modern-day world. Catalonia is a region, situated in the north east of the Iberian Peninsula with, of old, Barcelona as its most important city. In the 12th Century AD, Catalonia and the neighboring kingdom of Aragon were united under a single dynasty. Despite this political union, usually referred to as the Crown of Aragon, Catalonia had managed to maintain its political autonomy, identity and Catalan language (Catalonia, 2018). Since Catalonia has been one of the first Roman provinces in
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Secession Issue and Territorial Autonomy in Spain: Bicameralism Revisited by Alberto López-Basaguren
    ISSN: 2036-5438 The Secession Issue and Territorial Autonomy in Spain: Bicameralism Revisited by Alberto López-Basaguren Perspectives on Federalism, Vol. 10, issue 2, 2018 Except where otherwise noted content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons 2.5 Italy License E -238 Abstract The Spanish Constitution defines the Senate as 'Chamber of territorial representation'. But in the Senate the provinces are represented, not the Autonomous Communities. The Senate is a Chamber of ‘sober second thought’, subordinated to the lower House, whose will prevails in the event of discrepancy. It lacks specific powers with regard to territorial autonomy; in spite of this, there has been an attempt to assign it relevance in this sphere by creating a General Committee on Autonomous Communities. By way of exception the Senate is exclusively responsible for the decision to authorize the Government to apply measures of ’federal coercion'. This constitutional provision was first activated in October 2017, in the context of the secessionist process in Catalonia, as a result of the repeated non- compliance by the authorities of the resolutions of the Constitutional Court (CC), which concluded with the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) by Parliament at the same time as the adoption of the measures of federal coercion. The Senate demonstrated that even in a case in which it has the reserved competence, as in the authorization of the adoption of measures of federal coercion, it lacks the capacity to be a federal Chamber. Key-words bicameralism, Senate, Spain, Catalonia, secession, federal coercion Except where otherwise noted content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons 2.5 Italy License E -239 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Masterthesis.PDF (3.980Mb)
    Norwegian School of Economics Bergen/Barcelona, Fall 2018 Financial impact of a political crisis The case of Catalonia (Spain) Finn Christian Arctander Supervisor: Francisco Santos Master thesis in finance NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS This thesis was written as a part of the Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration at NHH. Please note that neither the institution nor the examiners are responsible − through the approval of this thesis − for the theories and methods used, or results and conclusions drawn in this work. Abstract The aim of this master thesis is to investigate how the increased uncertainty in the conflict in Catalonia from 2010 to 2018 has impacted the financial markets in Spain. In doing so, the event study methodology is applied examining the 24 most predominant events over the companies listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange (BME). To understand the complexity of the financial impact, the quantitative results are discussed in light of qualitative interviews with 6 experts in the field. The results indicate that there is a short-term financial impact in relation to the Oct. 1st, 2017 referendum. The cumulative abnormal returns reveal that IBEX35 performs worse than DAX and FTSE100, with a different impact across economic industry sectors and a larger adverse impact for firms with headquarters in Barcelona and Madrid than firms with headquarters elsewhere. By looking at the overall impact of the remaining events, there is not enough evidence to suggest that these have made a significant financial impact. However, there is a negative short-term impact for companies that have decided to move their headquarters out of Catalonia, but they recover quickly without a prolonged effect.
    [Show full text]
  • Informational Materials
    Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 10/11/2017 10:00:49 AM li'ITil Generalitat de Gatalunya i:!l1!l Oepartament de la Presidencia Dlreccl6 General de Comunlcacl6 delGovem Official Statement by the President on the political situation in Catalonia Barcelona, 1O October 2017 I stand here before Parliament to present to you the results of the referendum held on October 1 and to explain the political consequences derived from it. I am conscious, as I'm sure are many of you, that today I also stand before-the people of Catalonia and before many others, who have focused their attention on what happens today in this chamber. We are living in an exceptional lime, of historical dimension. The consequences and effects run beyond our country and it's evident that, far from being an internal and domestic affair, as we have often had to hear from those who neglected their responsibility by not wanting to know about what's happening, Catalonia is a European issue. Do not expect, from my speech, threats,,blackmail nor insults. The current moment is serious ·enough for everyone to assume their corresponding responsibility and for the necessity to de­ escalate tension and not to contribute to ii, neither through word,nor gesture. On the other hand, I wis_h to address the people; those who came out on the ·-1st and the 3rd of October, !_hose who went to the demonstration on Saturday to advocate for dialogue, and those who came out massively on Sunday in defence of the unity of Spain. And to those who haven't come out in any of those gatherings.
    [Show full text]
  • INSTITUT DE GOVERNANÇA I DIRECCIÓ PÚBLICA Excel·Lència
    INSTITUT DE GOVERNANÇA I DIRECCIÓ PÚBLICA Excel·lència del lideratge i de la direcció pública: 20 anys construint futur MEMÒRIA 2013-2014 - 1 - - 2 - ÍNDEX 04 06 Presentació L’IGDP: Missió, Visió i Eixos estratègics 10 24 La Formació La Recerca 42 54 Debat Social L’Equip de l’IGDP - 3 - IGDP: MEMÒRIA 2013-2014 PRESENTACIÓ CARTA DE LA DIRECTORA GENERAL D’ESADE ESADE va apostar fa més de 30 anys per formar directius, no només de l’àmbit empresarial, sinó també de l’administració pública. La millora del sector públic s’ha convertit avui en dia en un tema capital, tant per abordar els reptes econòmics de competitivitat com per avançar cap a societats més cohesionades i inclu- sives, on la dignitat de les persones estigui més protegida i potenciada. Per aquesta raó, la millora de la ges- tió pública s’ha convertit en una peça central per a dotar-nos de millors ins- titucions públiques i més capaces de respondre als problemes i opor- tunitats col·lectius que tenim. Amb aquesta finalitat, ESADE manté el seu compromís d’aportar, mitjançant reconeguts professors, el seu millor coneixement i la seva millor recerca. És un compromís que renovem de manera decidida any rere any. - 4 - IGDP: MEMÒRIA 2013-2014 CARTA DEL DIRECTOR DE L’IGDP L’expansió i el reconeixement d’una direcció pública professional és un dels principals senyals d’identitat dels processos de canvi i modernització que viuen les organitzacions públi- ques. La reforma, la gestió de l’ajust i la construcció d’un nou model d’or- ganitzacions públiques depèn de dos factors bàsics: de la voluntat política del seu abordatge seriós i profund, i de la disponibilitat de professionals de la direcció pública experimentats i altament formats i capacitats.
    [Show full text]
  • Statement by the President of the Catalan Government on the 9N Trial
    STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE CATALAN GOVERNMENT ON THE 9N TRIAL Barcelona, 6 February 2017 Today, in a short while, the 129th President of the Government of Catalonia, Artur Mas; his Vice President at the time, Joana Ortega, and the then Minister of Education, Irene Rigau, will be put on trial for something that never should have reached the courts. On November 9th of 2014, more than 2.3 million people participated in a consultation to express their opinion on the relations between Catalonia and Spain, and which followed through on a commitment between citizens and institutions, between the people and their representatives. On the 9th of November 2014, Catalonia sent a message, one of many sent in over a decade since the party governing today in Spain began collecting signatures against the Statute of Catalonia. It was a day of joy and democratic strengthening, filled with hope for a nation that won a well-deserved victory, by working hard and contributing like no other to bolster our society as well as the State as a whole. If democracy is to fear every time there is disconnection with the citizens, what happened on November 9 is just the right cure for such perversion. A country capable of carrying out the 9N has a healthier democracy than a country that sent the leaders who made it possible to the courtroom. It is because of this that many people feel represented by President Mas, Vice President Ortega and Minister Rigau. Many of us today feel judged, and it is for this reason that a very significant representation of those of us who made the 9N possible will express our indignation for taking what is a political affair to the courts.
    [Show full text]
  • Democratic Regeneration
    OPINION TRIBUNE PERE MIRET Economist and member of the Economy Section of the National Catalan Assembly (ANC) Democratic regeneration large part of the Spanish popu- last reform, acts in a manner unbecoming Catalan independence process in compari- lation has doubts about judicial in- of European democracies. Also, remember son with the prosecution of other judicial Adependence, one of the basic pil- the Spanish Constitutional Court ruling of proceedings. Not to mention many pros- lars of the rule of law. These questions 2010 that substantially cut back the 2006 ecutions, announced with great concern seem grounded. A report last year by the Statute voted on by the Catalan electorate by the media, have been timed to in- European Commission placed the percep- and broke the constitutional pact of 1978. fluence key moments of the Catalan inde- tion of judicial independence in Spain at The quality of Spanish democracy is get- pendence process and are then found to the tail end of the European Union. Even ting worse This was especially evident fol- have no legal substance. the Spanish judges do not consider Spa- lowing the current phase of the Catalan in- Corruption is a structural problem in nish justice very indepen- Spain. Tax amnesties and dent, according to a survey pardons for corrupt politi- published in The 2016 EU cians have been numerous. Justice Scoreboard. In 2016, the NGO Transpar- The increasing politici- ency International put the sation of Spanish justice has perception of corruption in deserved the reproaches of Spain as worse than in Bots- the Council of Europe, be- wana, Qatar and Taiwan.
    [Show full text]
  • Speech by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont
    Speech by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont Brussels, 24 January 2017 Just as Minister Romeva and Vice-President Junqueras have done, I would like to thank you for being here with us today after a full day of work. M’agradaria començar la meva intervenció en català –la llengua pròpia de Catalunya, i oficial juntament amb el castellà- felicitant al nou president del Parlament europeu, el senyor Antonio Tajani, escollit la setmana passada. Li desitgem sort i molts encerts per a aquesta nova tasca tan rellevant que li ha estat encomanada. També esperem que doni compliment al compromís que va adquirir per carta amb la majoria d’eurodiputats del nostre país per tal que el català pugui ser llengua oficial del Parlament europeu. Last September, in a solemn session of the Parliament of Catalonia, I explicitly stated the clear political commitment the Government and the political majority supporting it already had at the time: to hold a binding referendum in Catalonia in 2017 in order to decide whether it wants to become an independent state. Today we are in Brussels, the capital of Europe, and at the headquarters of the institution entrusted with the democratic representation of all EU citizens, therefore also of those in Catalonia, to reaffirm our commitment to call for the aforesaid referendum, as it is the best possible democratic tool to know the will of our people. You are probably wondering why we have got this far, and why the majority of Catalans do not wish to remain part of Spain anymore.
    [Show full text]
  • Josep Rull I Joaquim Forn Van Reunir-Se Amb Menys Diferència De Pere Aragonès, I El President Espanyol, Amb El President Carles Puigdemont a L’Esperada Pedro Sánchez
    26 JUNY - 02 JULIOL 2021 No faces de la teua ignorància un argument Joan Fuster LA SETMANA QUE HAVIA D’ACABAR DESPERTANT EL PAÍS VALENCIÀ, QUINZE ANYS DESPRÉS 2 LA SETMANA vilaweb.cat Divendres, 2 de juliol de 2021 LA LLOSA DEL TRIBUNAL DE COMPTES ROGER GRAELLS FONT Una setmana després dels indults als presos polítics, el Tribunal En l’àmbit de Comptes espanyol intensifica la repressió econòmica contra internacional, la polítics i alts càrrecs de la Generalitat per l’acció del govern a repressió contra l’estranger l’última dècada. l’ex-conseller d’Economia Andreu L’estat espanyol no té aturador. Gaire- Homs van ser jutjats i condemnats a Mas-Colell ha fet forat bé quatre anys després de l’1-O, l’es- inhabilitació per desobediència, però no tat profund encara no ha perdonat el els van acusar de malversació per haver i ha posat en relleu desafiament de l’independentisme a la organitzat aquell procés participatiu. la persecució contra unitat territorial d’Espanya i continua En canvi, mesos després el Tribunal de l’independentisme reprimint a tort i a dret. Trenta-quatre Comptes va actuar motu proprio i els va polítics i alts càrrecs del govern entre el embargar béns i comptes. Mas denun- 2011 i el 2017 han sortit del Tribunal de ciava dimarts que el Tribunal Suprem Comptes espanyol amb l’obligació de espanyol feia dos anys que tenia damunt pagar una fiança solidària de 5,4 milions la taula els recursos contra la sentència d’euros. L’afany de venjança és tan gran del Tribunal de Comptes i que ni tan sols que fins i totvolen embargar els béns de havia decidit si els admetia a tràmit o la filla de Maryse Olivé, ex-delegada del no.
    [Show full text]
  • Digest Foi 0748-15
    FOI Request – Spain (FOI 0748-15): Digest of information to be released Email from Spain Desk to BE Madrid 13/08/2015 Subject FW: Spanish Media Summary: 13 August 2015 OFFICIAL_SENSITIVE [REDACTED] PRESS HIGHLIGHTS: [REDACTED] • CATALONIA: PP toughens its discourse and dismisses concessions to Catalonia [REDACTED] CATALONIA PP toughens its discourse and dismisses concessions to Catalonia. PP candidate for Catalonia, Xavier García Albiol, announced that he will not uphold the singular financing model approved by Catalan PP in 2012, which sought to apply the principle of ordinality. (El País 13, El Mundo 8, La Vanguardia 14) PSOE rejects fiscal pact for Catalonia. Socialist executive rejects a preferential fiscal agreement as requested by the Catalan socialist party. (El País 14) [REDACTED] Email from Spain Desk to BE Madrid 03/08/2015 Subject FW: Spanish Media Summary: 3 August 2015 [REDACTED] PRESS HIGHLIGHTS: [REDACTED] • CATALONIA: Artur Mas convenes elections for 27 September through an ordinary decree [REDACTED] Interview with Economy Minister De Guindos: “If we revert the reforms, we will go back to square one.” “In 2011, Spain was Greece in Europe, but now we are the country that grows the most.” “The future of Catalonia has always been brighter with Spain than without it.” (Sunday, La Razón 10) [REDACTED] PSOE identifies its big challenges. If elected PM, Pedro Sánchez will have to tackle the Catalan conflict, regional financing and pensions. (Monday, La Vanguardia 11) CATALONIA Catalan premier Artur Mas convenes today regional elections for 27 September through an ordinary decree. The decree will not mention the “plebiscitary” character of the election, to avoid a challenge by the central government.
    [Show full text]
  • A Summary of the Spanish State's Democratic Regression And
    A SUMMARY OF THE SPANISH STATE’S DEMOCRATIC REGRESSION AND GRIEVANCES AGAINST CATALONIA 8-11-2017 Brussels — 1— HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS Catalonia has long had a self-governing spirit, manifested for the most part through the governing body called the Generalitat, created in 1359. It is safe to say that Catalonia’s will to exist has persevered over centu- ries, despite the lack of understanding and contempt received in the form of attempts to hinder its recognition as a nation. In this regard, the heroic efforts of municipalism in the defense of Catalans’ rights and in- terests are worth highlighting. It is impossible to understand the social and political reality of today’s Catalonia without considering the work done and still ongoing by local councils around the country. Throughout recent history, since the end of Franco’s dictatorship, Cata- lonia has sought its place within the Spanish state by means of loyal cooperation. At that time, Catalan representatives worked strategically to develop the possibilities offered by the new constitutional framework to implement the self-government and national recognition of Catalonia, without ever renouncing the right to self-determination. From the end of the 1970’s. political Catalanism offered stability to Spanish govern- ments in exchange for a progressive consolidation of its self- government. This was formalized with the approval of the 1979 Statute of Autonomy. Nonetheless, the Catalan charter was born with signifi- cant shortcomings, which soon came to light. It is only necessary to remember the attempted coup d’état of February 23, 1981 and the con- sequent Organic Law on the Harmonization of Autonomy Process (LOAPA), that same year, as examples of Spanish institutions’ clearly restrictive intent toward Catalonia.
    [Show full text]
  • Inside Spain Nr 135 20 December-16 January
    Inside Spain Nr 135 20 December-16 January William Chislett Summary A busy international agenda. Catalan independence: prosecutor seeks nine-year ban from public office for former Minister. Fragmented parliament begins to adapt to a new style of politics. Pre-crisis GDP (2008) will finally be recovered this year. Repsol resumes oil activity in Libya. Foreign Policy A busy international agenda Having spent most of 2016 on the sidelines of international diplomacy because of the lack of a functioning government, Spain faces a busy year with five EU summits in the first half, Nato and G-20 summits, bilateral meetings with the French, German and Moroccan governments, among others, and state visits by King Felipe VI. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, in office for a second term as of the end of October, re- entered the international arena when he was invited to November’s mini summit in Berlin hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel for outgoing President Barack Obama, which was also attended by Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, the Italian Prime Minister, and French President Francois Hollande. Comparatively speaking, Spain is now regarded as something of an ‘island of stability’, following 10 months without a proper government as a result of two inconclusive general elections. Germany, France and the Netherlands go to the polls later this year, with uncertain outcomes, Renzi resigned in December after he was roundly defeated in a referendum to change the constitution, and the UK decided to leave the EU. Spain’s next election is not until 2020, though the ruling Popular Party only has one-third of the seats in parliament.
    [Show full text]
  • The 2017 Catalan Independence Referendum: an Interplay Between Political Elites and Civil Society
    THE 2017 CATALAN INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM: AN INTERPLAY BETWEEN POLITICAL ELITES AND CIVIL SOCIETY A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES OF MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY BY SEREN ERGAN IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SEPTEMBER 2019 Approval of the Graduate School of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Sadettin Kirazcı Director (Acting) I certify that this thesis satisfies all the requirements as a thesis for the degree of Master of Science. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Ayata Head of Department This is to certify that we have read this thesis and that in our opinion it is fully adequate, in scope and quality, as a thesis for the degree of Master of Science. Prof. Dr. Pınar Köksal Supervisor Examining Committee Members Prof. Dr. Ayşe Ceylan Tokluoğlu (METU, SOC) Prof. Dr. Pınar Köksal (METU, ADM) Assist. Prof. Dr. Şebnem Yardımcı-Geyikçi (Hacettepe Uni., SBKY) I hereby declare that all information in this document has been obtained and presented in accordance with academic rules and ethical conduct. I also declare that, as required by these rules and conduct, I have fully cited and referenced all material and results that are not original to this work. Name, Last name : Seren Ergan Signature : iii ABSTRACT THE 2017 CATALAN INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM: AN INTERPLAY BETWEEN POLITICAL ELITES AND CIVIL SOCIETY Ergan, Seren M.Sc., Department of Political Science and Public Administration Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Pınar Köksal September 2019, 133 pages This thesis explores the role of the Catalan political elites and the two most prominent Catalan civil society organizations, Assemblea Nacional Catalana – ANC (Catalan National Assembly) and Òmnium Cultural (All Cultural) on the transformation of the Catalan national movement that experienced a turning point in 2017 with an unofficial Catalan independence referendum.
    [Show full text]