Page 39 - DIVA_1_2016

CULTURE

access to foreign markets in which to
sell its products.

Critics of secession also argue that
being part of Spain makes economic
sense because it allows Catalonia to
share the costs of public goods of the
military, diplomatic representations,
etc. The fact is that these kinds of
"services" have traditionally been used
(and are presently still being used) by
the central Spanish government to the
detriment of Catalan aspirations for
self-rule, rather than to support Cata-
lonia in any way. And the huge fiscal
imbalance shows that today Catalans
are paying for these services twice
what they would pay for similar serv-
ices actually benefitting them in their enough to solve global problems like international markets in a free-trade
own separate state. international terrorism, international world. Finally, full independence
capital movements, and regulation of will mean a direct voice for Catalans
In conclusion, there is no objective transnational corporations or global in the international forums that so
reason to believe that an independ- warming. On the other hand they are much influence their lives. However,
ent Catalan state would not be vi- still too large to solve local problems no referendum on the question of
able from an economic perspective. (or even to care about them). independence of Catalonia will be a
In the end, the success of a Catalan fully rational exercise. Independence
state will depend on its own govern- Unlike many nations in Europe that from Spain is not simply a matter of
ment. Independence will be good for have flourished due to the creation economics or administrative ration-
Catalans only if the Catalan state will of a nation-state, Catalonia exists de- ality. Identity issues, in Catalonia and
be able to pursue sound macroeco- spite a unitary and centralistic Span- elsewhere, are highly complex. Some
nomic policies that foster growth and ish state that has repeatedly tried to Catalans might want to be part of
economic welfare. 'While it is uncer- eliminate it as a separate cultural Spain even with an unfair fiscal treat-
tain how well a Catalan government entity. Catalan independence will ment. Others might want independ-
could manage its economy, Catalans ensure the continuity of culture and ence even if the cost is high. However,
know that the performance of the language, but also allow Catalans this does not negate the fact that eco-
Spanish government over the last stop paying an unsustainable price nomically, independence would not
century has been decidedly poor6. to be part of a unitary Spanish state. only be viable, but also significantly
Moreover, as independence would Catalans must realize that only with advantageous. Therefore, when they
mean getting rid of the aforemen- a new administrative structure can have the chance to decide democrati-
tioned fiscal imbalance with Spain at Catalonia be competitive in the in- cally though a referendum on their
once, a Catalan state would enjoy sig- ternational markets and guarantee own political future in 2017, Catalans
nificant room to manoeuvre. In addi- better public services, modernization might clearly want to vote keeping in
tion, globalization is also compromis- of its infrastructure, social cohesion mind their pockets ... while feeling
ing many of the traditional functions and economic growth 7. Among all op- their hearts".
of mid-size countries such as Spain tions, it is independence that makes
making them less desirable to their more sense economically, particu-
citizens, in particular to differenti- larly in the context of globalization
8
Catalans are frequently the
ated groups such as the Catalans. On and the European Union. Secession
subject of nasty "jokes" and deroga-
the one hand, these states are not big will guarantee that the existing unfair tory comments from Spanish nation-
fiscal balance will be eliminated. A als, representing them as "Jews", due
6 By way of example, see the Catalan state will still have access to to their emphasis on business-like ap-
CCN study on the completely ineffi- proaches. Maybe this would be really
cient and unsustainable Spanish high- the right time for Catalans to opt for
way network system ("Plà de viabilitat 7 See the CCN study "Invest- an independent State for legitimate
de la xara viària espanyola"), avail- ment opportunities in the new Catalan "selfish" reasons, including self-preser-
able on www.ccncat.cat. State' available on www.ccncat.cat. vation.

INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT - DIVA 37