Adrian McOwiti

11/1/17

Dr. Marisa Clark

ENGL-120-029

Catalonias Secession from Spain: An In-Depth Analysis

The citizens of Catalonia, a region of the Iberian Peninsula with its own culture, customs,

and language, this month decided to declare independence from Spain (BBC, 2017). The

decision to cut ties is the culmination of many years of political conflict dating back to the 12th

Century. However, such an action would create numerous problems for both the Catalans and

the Spaniards.

Catalonia is located in the northern portion of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering France

and Spain. Although considered a province of Spain, Catalonia existed as a political entity long

before Spain was considered a country. The entity or kingdom was founded in 1150 when

Petronilia the Queen of Aragon and Ramon Berenguer IV, the count of Barcelona, married and

started a long lineage of Catalan rulers who reigned over not only Catalonia and Aragon, but

what expanded to become Spain, for many generations [BBC, 2017]. As a patriarchal society,

the queen and king passed on control to their son, Alfonso II of Aragon, and subsequently down

the family tree for nearly 600 years until the reign of King Philip V. It was under King Philip that

the War of the Spanish Succession broke out and ended up dividing the kingdom into multiple

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autonomous provinces, such as Valencia, Catalonia, and multiple islands and resulting in the

formation of present day Spain (BBC, 2017).

Over the years, various Spanish kings attempted to force not just political control, but

also the Spanish language on Catalonia, but to no avail. Catalonia kept Catalan, its own

language. However, it was during the rule of General Francisco Franco that Catalan laws and

customs became outlawed and their desire for autonomy severely suppressed. Under his rule,

thousands of Catalans were killed, including about 3,500 people at the battle of Ebro. General

Francos rule forced many Catalans into hiding or exile (BBC, 2017), and it was not until after his

death in 1975 that Catalonia regained its autonomy, albeit still under Spanish rule.

While the Catalans long running desire for independence from Spain is well

documented, a decision this big comes with its fair share of pros and cons for both parties.

Catalonia has a population of 7.5 million, and while it only makes up 16% of Spains population,

it accounts for a significant portion of the countrys GDP (29%) (BBC, 2017). This is larger than

Californias contribution to the United States. If Catalonia were to secede from Spain, they

would be taking out an enormous chunk of Spains economic output. It also has an

unemployment rate of 13.2%, which is less than the Spains 17.2% average (CNBC, 2017).

Catalan citizens also contribute to 20% of Spains taxes, and receive 14% back for public

expenses (Marketplace, 2017). If the split were to occur, Catalonia would effectively keep the

16 billion euros per year its citizens pay in taxes to Spain, according to Business Insider. This

translates to Spain losing a yearly 2% of its GDP, directly attributed to loss of taxes from

Catalonia.

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 However, Catalonia itself would see a significant loss due to the split, because 35.5% of

exports to Spain are strictly to the Spanish market (CNBC, 2017). Moreover, the Catalans would

be forced to spend enormously to create new political and economic structures such as halls,

banks, and embassies, since they wouldnt be considered a part of Spain anymore.

Additionally, Catalonia is responsible for 16.34% of Spans $1.18 trillion debt. Whereas

currently the Catalans get preferential treatment from the Spanish government due to their

being wealthier and more productive than most provinces in Spain, they are likely to lose this

preferential treatment due to the entire ordeal of separation, and be forced to take on this

debt by itself. The renegotiations with other countries and agencies will be very challenging.

The taxes, tariffs, embargos, and other trade deals would all have to be renegotiated with every

country that Catalonia would like to interact. Whats more, Spain (a major EU power) will make

it extremely difficult for Catalonia to join the European Union (EU) since they are against the

secession, and will likely block all attempts for EU citizenship through their veto power (CNBC,

2017). If Catalonia were to secede, the Catalans would no longer hold EU passports that allow

unhindered travel between EU member nations, further making it difficult to transact business

and creating more economic trouble for Catalonia. Furthermore, larger countries might be

forced to limit trade with Catalonia in order not to anger the Spanish government. Some

Spanish businesses would likely move out of Catalonia for the much larger markets in the non-

Catalonian provinces of Spain and the EU.

Spain has already let its feelings be known regarding the referendum. When the

Catalans voted for independence, the Spanish government was incensed, seizing ballots and

cell phones, and sending the police to beat up those who were in favor of independence.

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Government officials tried to shut down voting sites and to suppress the vote, threatened those

manning the polling stations with a 300,000 fine, shut down pro-independence websites

(CatalanNews, 2017), and demanded that Google remove voting location finders from the

Android app store (CNN, 2017).

Personally, I believe that a unified Spain is the best Spain, and therefore Catalonia

should not secede from Spain. While Catalonia is one of the richest regions of Spain due to its

economic success, it does not mean that it will be able to function well on its own. Catalonia

currently enjoys leeway and special treatment in Spain due to its wealth, but this is sure to go

away if they secede, and it may prove difficult for them to sustain their economy. Conversely,

the province makes up roughly 1/5 of Spains economy, and therefore a sudden loss of such

substantial economic output would surely cripple the Spanish economy. Based on the Spanish

governments reaction to the Catalans vote for independence, they surely may not get it

without there being bloodshed. That is something no one in their right mind wants to see.

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 Works Cited
Alfons Lpez Tena and Elisenda Paluzie. Here Are the Economics of a Catalan Secession from

Spain. Business Insider, Business Insider, 24 Feb. 2016,

www.businessinsider.com/economics-of-catalan-secession-from-spain-2016-2.

Badcock, Harriet Alexander; James. Why Does Catalonia Want Independence from

Spain?The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 5 Oct. 2017,

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/does-catalonia-want-independence-spain/.

Bosch, Sofia. Spain's Economy Losing Catalonia Would Be like the US Losing California and

Florida Combined. CNBC, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2017, www.cnbc.com/2017/09/21/heres-how-

bad-economically-a-spain-catalonia-split-could-really-be.html.

Carrera, Xavier Vil. THE DOMAIN OF SPAIN: How Likely Is Catalan

Independence? World Affairs, vol. 176, no. 5, 2014, pp. 7783. JSTOR, JSTOR,

www.jstor.org/stable/43555055.

Catalonia Referendum: Does the Region Want to Leave Spain? BBC News, BBC, 6 Oct.

2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29478415.

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Marketplace, Lucia Benavides/ for. The Big Reason Catalonia Wants to Secede May Be

Economic:

It's One of the Richest Regions in Spain. Marketplace,

www.marketplace.org/2017/09/29/economy/big-reason-catalonia-wants-secede-

economic-richest-regions-in-spain.

Smith-Spark, Laura, and Isa Soares. Tensions High as Catalonia Readies for Vote. CNN,

Cable News Network, 30 Sept. 2017, www.cnn.com/2017/09/30/europe/spain-

catalonia-referendum/index.html.

Terol, Alan Ruiz. Catalan Government Opens New Referendum Website after Original Is Shut

down

by Spain. Catalan News, www.catalannews.com/politics/item/catalan-government-

opens-new-referendum-website-after-original-is-shut-down-by-spain.

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