SPAIN - Can central forces defeat uncentral forces?

SPAIN - Can central forces defeat uncentral forces?

Spain remains to be divided because of major ethnic lines but often outsiders remain either unconcerned about this, or they are oblivious to the current political situation in Spain. However, many people in the Basque and Catalan areas of Spain desire independence. However, will central forces allow this or will they contain these forces via centralization?

Before we focus on Spain it is clear that this is a very important topic for Spain because this is one of the main reasons why Spain remains reluctant to acknowledge Kosovo. Because the government of Spain is worried that Kosovo will be used by both Basque and Catalan nationalists. Therefore, Spain remain very cautious about supporting new nation states. In truth, you could argue that this policy is consistent with the self interests of Spain.

Another outside factor is the role of the European Union (EU) because it is ironic that the new superstate is absorbing mega-states but for smaller nationalities they see the EU in a different light. Because for smaller ethnic groups they believe that the EU will support their cause more and because the EU weakens the central state via legal institutions and shared interests; then smaller ethnic groups hope to benefit from this. They also hope to gain more funding in order to educate their own people and to further develop their nationalistic vision.

However, for Spain they are adamant that a unified Spain is essential and they will not tolerate the break up of their nation state. Given this, the government uses every terrorist attack in order to boost their more draconian policies, which are aimed at destroying nationalism. Also, in all fairness to Spain, they do not see their state to be biased and all citizens have natural rights via the constitution and the democratic rights of this nation.

Yet for Basque and Catalan nationalists this is not the point, for they desire liberty and the right to create their own respective nation states in order to boost their culture and way of life. Of course Spain retorts back that central government is open and free. However, the other two communities believe it is their natural right and they are against central control. Also, Catalans could point out that they would be more wealthy without Spain because Barcelona and other areas within the Catalan heartlands are more than viable, indeed, they are the vibrant areas of Spain.

Given this, can Spain defeat uncentralized forces in the future and forge a nation state which merges the two other ethnic groups? For in todays Spain many Basques and Catalans believe that the current nation state is flawed and undemocratic because it does not abide by the wishes of others. So it is apparent that this issue is far from resolved and future tensions will remain.

Lee Jay Walker Dip BA MA

http://journals.aol.com/leejaywalker/uk/