Introduction
Catalonia is one of the richest and most industrialized regions of Spain located on the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula (Crameri 2014). It is made up of four provinces that include Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona, and Lleida. The region is considered a nationality even though it has not yet been granted full independence by Spain. The issue of Catalonia’s independence has been a hotly contested political issue for many years. Numerous referendums have been held in Catalonia regarding whether the region should be awarded independence by Spain (Diaz & Zamorano 2016).
Majority of voters agreed that Spain should grant Catalonia full independence. The referendums have been downplayed by critics who argue that they are held in areas that support independence. In addition, the Constitutional Court ruled a major 2014 referendum illegal (Diaz & Zamorano 2016). Catalonia should gain independence from Spain because it has its own unique language and culture, makes huge fiscal contributions that fund investments in other regions, and it has its own political system under its statute of autonomy.
Huge fiscal contributions
One of the reasons for full independence is the tax deficit that Catalonia suffers. Catalonia is the most highly taxed regions in Europe with high fiscal contributions paid to the central government (Crameri 2014). Unfortunately, the money is not reinvested in the region. Despite its high tax contributions, its infrastructure, health services, schools, and roads are in very poor conditions. Moreover, majority of the decisions made by the central government do not benefit the region. In fact, they have negative effects. For example Barcelona Airport is in very bad condition even though it is Spain’s busiest airport.
Its roads are dilapidated, it has a poor train service, lacks metro connection, and has no connection to international direct flights (Diaz & Zamorano 2016). The port of Barcelona lacks a freight railway line even though it is highly profitable. The central government’s budgetary allocation to Catalonia has been on the decline and went to as low as 9.5% in 2015. Awarding Catalonia independence will improve infrastructure, roads, and social amenities.
Unique culture and language
Catalonia has a unique culture than differs from that of the rest of Spain in various ways. Their politics, language, and economics are totally different from those of other regions (Desquens 2003). Residents are famous for being industrious and mean. They acquired these traits from the mercantile activities they engaged in during the industrial revolution. They have a culture of togetherness that is evident from the existence of clubs that range from collection of mushroom to sports (Crameri 2014).
The spirit of teamwork and togetherness forms the foundation of their culture. Catalonia has been attacked needlessly for its national identity and language (Crameri 2014). In addition, its school model has been attacked and debased. Despite raging attacks, the Catalan school model has been described as a good example of cultural integration because both Spanish and Catalan are used for learning and instruction (Desquens 2003). Spanish nationalists have attacked Catalonia and threatened to dismantle the Catalan language (Diaz & Zamorano 2016). Hostility between the region and the rest of Spain is evidence of their differences. For example, two of the best clubs in Spain (Barcelona and Real Madrid) are great rivals.
Political system under the statute of autonomy
There have been numerous attempts to recentralize Spain and eliminate Catalonia’s national identity and self governance. Efforts to homogenize Spain slowed down after the demise of Francisco Franco in 1975 (Desquens 2003). The death of Franco returned democracy and Catalonia was able to recover its self governance. However, Spanish nationalists work hard to deny Catalonia independence by marginalizing its language and trim its self-government institutions (Diaz & Zamorano 2016).
In addition, Spain is a plurinational country that is made up of several autonomous communities (Desquens 2003). The statute of autonomy in Catalonia acts as the constitution of the region. It outlines the rights and duties of its citizens and defines the roles and responsibilities of self-government institutions. There have been several attacks on the Statute of Autonomy that governs Catalonia. The fact that Catalonia has its own political system in place is proof enough that the region needs to be awarded independence from Spain. It can stand on its own because it has the necessary resources to operate as an autonomous nation.
Conclusion
Catalonia should gain independence from Spain because the region has its own language and culture, it is heavily taxed by the central government to fund investments in order Spanish regions, and its statute of autonomy serves as its political foundation. Catalonia has been autonomous for a very long time and referendums conducted have all passed a vote to award the region independence from Spain. However, Spanish nationalists and citizens have refused. They have vehemently attacked the Catalan language and culture, and have in many instances tried to homogenize Spain in order to trim its self-government institutions. Catalonia’s huge fiscal contribution is proof that the region can stand on its own as a nation. Therefore, it should be awarded independence from Spain.
References
Crameri, K 2014, “Goodbye, Spain”: The Question of Independence for Catalonia, Sussex Academic Press, New York.
Desquens, J 2003, Europe’s Stateless nations in the Era of Globalization: The Case of Catalonia’s Secession from Spain.
Diaz, A & Zamorano, M 2016, Why Do Catalans Want to Be Independent.