The Catalan solution

I have blogged quite a lot on Catalonia, mostly on very specific issues, rather than on the overarching situation. This may have led many to misconstrue my actual position on Catalonian independence. I feel, therefore, that I should write one post on this subject, my first and probably last one, to state my position and to explain what I would regard as a viable solution.

So, let’s start with my position. I don’t have one. To me, it is fairly irrelevant whether Catalonia stays in Spain or leaves Spain. This is not because I don’t care, but rather because I find the concept of nationality anachronistic and outdated. This applies to both Catalan and Spanish nationality. The challenges that face humanity nowadays, and which concern me, cannot be solved or even addressed from the frame of specific nations. Rising global inequality, climate change, the excessive power and impunity of global corporations, religiously motivated violence, political extremism, diseases, populism and the erosion of democratic values. That is a non comprehensive section of my shopping list. Not a single one of those problems can be solved, or even influenced, by Spain in isolation, let alone by Catalonia. Nationalism, to me, is a distraction, which prevents the population from focusing time and energy on real problems, worth solving. Every day, I interact and collaborate with people all over the World, regardless of location or nationality, on the basis of knowledge and potential contribution. My relationship with Catalonia will therefore not change, whatever the outcome of what has been called its independence process.

One thing I care profoundly about, however, is the strength of democratic institutions and the respect for the rule of law. These are necessary conditions to solving all the problems I refer to above, and therefore critical to humanity’s progress. I would therefore wish for the solution to the Catalan problem to be found within that framework. It could work, as follows:

A vote should be held in Spain to decide whether to allow Catalonia to hold a referendum on its independence. This could happen in one of two ways, for it to have political legitimacy:

• ·            A general election in which parties included in their program and manifest their position on allowing such a vote, since support of 60% of Parliament is sufficient to change the Spanish Constitution. Parties should, in my view, either support a Catalan referendum or come up with a really good reason against it, based on political and ethical considerations, not economic ones (the economy, in the long term, would be impervious to the outcome of the process, so long as, in the case of independence, the right treaties are put in place to create a reasonable relationship between Catalonia and Europe). Parties campaigning for No should also offer a solution to the section of the Catalan population that are unhappy with the status quo, a solution which may well mean more devolution of powers.
• ·        A Spanish referendum. In the case of a referendum in Spain, parties should campaign for a Yes or a No vote. But the referendum in Spain should not be held on whether Catalonia should be independent or not. The question should be strictly whether Catalonia should be allowed to vote on its independence, and under what terms. That is the only decision Spain is entitled to make in light of the current legislation. This distinction should be clear, and Catalan politicians (from both sides) should get as much representation in the public debate as Spanish politicians. All voices should be equally heard.

Should either of these two processes prosper, a referendum should then be held in Catalonia. A legal one, the first ever referendum on Catalan independence. Prior to it, guidelines should have been developed, by both sides, on the future relationship between Spain and Catalonia. The Catalan people should not be presented with a jump into the unknown, á la Brexit, but rather with a clear outline of what would be possible and with procedural clarity, should Yes win. Also, with clarity on what changes to the status quo would be possible should No win.

This is a difficult process. Many reading this may be disheartened by it. They may think it impossible. But there is no reason why it is impossible. Current entrenchment of positions is a result of bad, confrontational politics, in both cases intolerant of the views and concerns of the other side. The Spanish people (and at this point I include Catalans here) should demand the opposite. Nation building, no fostering of division. If both sides believe and accept the process, there is no reason why it cannot work. And, more importantly, it is the only way to proceed without prostituting democracy, corrupting the rule of law and creating long term, dangerous scars in both our societies.