Open questions for an independent Catalonia

The course of action that may result in an independent Catalonia is now at the centre of the political and media debate, but the building of a new country also entails considering what will happen once independence is declared. The democratic system, the economic model or the question of how to address the issue of language and culture are the most important debates when devising a new Catalan state and providing it with structure, according to various Catalan thinkers Vilaweb has spoken to. 

Democratic system

The shape the democracy of an independent Catalan state will take is one of the questions that generates the greatest interest. The thought leaders Vilaweb has consulted believe there is room for significant improvement over the democratic structure of the Spanish state. According to writer Patrícia Gabancho ‘defining the institutional framework, ensuring the balance of power and having full transparency, including the monitoring and control of public money by citizens’, are among the most salient issues. Similarly, Autonomous University of Barcelona law professor Anna Gabriel believes a debate is needed ‘around a system of real and direct democracy that structures the political and social architecture based on popular sovereignty’.

Regarding the electoral law, engineer and writer Xavier Roig questions whether ‘we will adopt any of the existing systems in the modern world or continue with our current model’, and notes that the new electoral law that the Catalan Parliament could soon pass ‘is plain sloppy’.

Funding and the economic model 

The structure of the economy should be based on ‘innovation, research, training and productivity, with an industrial base’, says Patricia Gabancho, adding that the question now is ‘how do we get there from where we are now’’ Anna Gabriel goes even further, saying that ‘we need to edge toward an alternative to the capitalist system’ when defining the economic model, in her view the only option if what is sought is ‘a minimally decent society’.

Biologist Ramon Folch points out that an adequate financial system is needed, as well as greater oversight of the public administration and the measures it takes, along with a tax system designed for the 21st century. ‘We cannot [continue to] apply the outdated Spanish model, as unfortunately we have done during the present context of partial self-rule’, he warns. 

Language and culture 

Language and culture are ‘the backbone of communities’, says Gabancho, and therefore these are the elements around which ‘the society of an independent Catalonia should be structured’. According to the author, the issue of language and culture is central, and ‘the regulation and promotion [of the Catalan language] as well as the emphasis it is given vis-à-vis other languages and cultures must be carefully calibrated to allow the Catalan language to assume its rightful place as an element of identity and social cohesion’. In this regard, journalist Enric Vila opines that attention should be paid to ‘the narrative that situates Catalonia within European history’, thus allowing ‘the country its rightful place in history, with Barcelona and Catalonia at the centre’.

The promotion of Catalan culture is also a key factor for biologist and writer Martí Domínguez. ‘An independent Catalonia would not make sense if it were only a matter of economics’. According to Domínguez, the fundamental reason for the creation of a new state ‘should be the need to strengthen and enhance the values of a culture that has been undervalued and neglected by the Spanish government’. Domínguez argues that scientific research should be fully integrated into any cultural promotion efforts, in order to make Catalonia one of the leading European countries in basic research. 

Països Catalans

Martí Dominguez added that the issue of language and culture should reach beyond the administrative borders of the new state. ‘The destructive pressure exerted by Spain on Valencia and the Balearic Islands will be even greater if Catalonia becomes independent; therefore Catalonia will have a moral obligation to defend and promote the survival of the culture in these territories’.
Anna Gabriel is also of the view that a new state would entail ‘the political construction of the whole nation’, adding that ‘a real break with the existing system necessarily requires the political definition of the Països Catalans’. 

Defence 

Both Enrique Vila and entrepreneur Xavier Roig say that the issue of the armed forces of a new Catalan state must be addressed. According to Roig, one of the debates is whether the new Catalan state should create its own army or whether the military defence of the territory would come from outside Catalonia. If the second option prospers, Vila says Catalonia will have to contribute to these forces in some fashion, whether by ceding territory for military bases, or by providing human and technological capital.
Whatever form the armed forces take, Villa is of the view that ‘not having an army may handicap Catalonia’s image in the eyes of the outside world’. In this respect, ‘Catalan politics has sometimes been naive’, he says. ‘Our territorial borders are now protected by Europe, but this is circumstantial’. 

Corruption 

According to writer and journalist Mercè Ibarz, one of the main debates should centre on corruption. ‘The future doesn’t look very promising if we don’t address corruption’. Failing to do so, she says, will make it impossible to seriously tackle the problems that plague the nation in the areas of employment, health care, housing, education, research, university education, and funding’. Ibarz says it is imperative that political parties make public their respective platforms for an independent Catalonia this autumn. 

Further questions 

Another salient issue, according to Ramon Folch, is territorial organization. An ‘appropriately scaled’ territorial organization is needed, ‘with about one hundred local authorities operating, instead of the 940 we now have.’

For Xavier Roig, the judicial system musts be examined in order to devise and build a new judicial system that is fully independent of other powers.

Ramon Folch warns that the open questions and issues to be addressed by an independent Catalonia are destined to failure if they do not build on new collective mores based on merit and integrity.