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Abstract

The aim of this Independent Project is to analyse the three factors of fiscal autonomy, political autonomy and the use of the Catalan language to showcase Why Catalans Want Independence from Spain. Expressions including “Spain is robbing us” have been echoed throughout Catalonia in order to carve out a fiscal system similar to that of Navarre and the Basque Country, in order to have full control over the fiscal system. In terms of political autonomy in Catalonia, in which Catalonia as an Autonomous Region remains under the main legislature of the central government in Madrid, this was revealed to be the most significant factor in Catalans wanting independence. This factor was articulated best through research of the former coalition party Junts pel Sí, who levied an independence campaign that focused heavily on the failing of the 2010 Statute of Autonomy, that was unable to guarantee the right to self-determination for the Catalan people. This prompted a massive grassroots response of groups organised by the Assemblea Nacional de Catalunya and Òmnium Cultural. The Catalan language was also a factor raised because of its historic prohibition before the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975. However, it has been discovered that many of the goals set out in the laws to “Normalise” the use of the Catalan language in public spaces. Through primary data in Spanish and Catalan including manifestos, press releases from speeches and official websites, the research reveals that political autonomy was the most significant factor in Why Catalans Want Independence from Spain.

Course: International Development Studies and Languages - BA (Hons)

Date Deposited: 2024-05-15

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14402.html