Lost Credibility: Who Should Be Blamed for the Increasing Support for Separatism in Catalonia?
Lost Credibility: Who Should Be Blamed for the Increasing Support for Separatism in Catalonia?

Summary/Abstract: The recent growth of the Catalan separatist movement is traditionally interpreted as a consequence of the bad economic performance of the region, or rather the whole country. This paper, however, aims to prove that despite the economy’s unquestionable role in the intensification of the nationalist conflict there may be other important factors involved. One of them is the case of the central government’s loss of credibility and grievances felt by the Catalan people. This may have led to an increase in separatist tendencies. On the other hand, the general political environment can be seen as a determinant of bilateral trade. Therefore, the bad relations between Catalonia and Spain and the increasing separatism in Catalonia affect negatively the mutual trade links between the region and the rest of the country. However, this effect acts in both directions, as trade diversification and internationalization may also have encouraged separatism. The lack of credibility of the government of Mariano Rajoy and the Popular Party has resulted in responses by the inhabitants of Catalonia which are the completely opposite of those expected by the prime minister and his party. The absence of dialogue from the central government encourages the separatist movement rather than discouraging it, and threats act as a very strong motivator for those who desire an independent Catalan state.

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