This post reproduces an article by Orio Martínez which comments on the opinion of Prof. Allen Buchanan, as regards secession processes in international law in general, and on the case of Catalonia (in a framework where the host nation refuses to negotiate and egages instead in political repression) in particular. (I hope the author and magazine do not object to this transcription of the article).
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From Catalonia Today
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if need beTRIBUNE
ORIOL MARTINEZ ALÒS MONER
Economist and member of the Economy Section of the National Catalan Assembly
(ANC)
Economist and member of the Economy Section of the National Catalan Assembly
(ANC)
No one can ignore that Catalan independence would mean a blow to the current status quo within Spain, and chiefly within Europe. A key cornerstone of it are the limits framed by the constitutional pact; at least apparently. This has been used unremittingly by the unionist parties to their benefit, wary of the country's paltry democratic record: the Constitution being tantamount to an untouchable totem that can only be revered.
For in Spain, democracy is not to be exercised or enriched, but rather only to be taken as given.
Thus, it is understandahle that Madrid has used its usual script to deal with Catalan claims: threats (blackmailing dossiers, the army and the like), a self-censored media (eager to fabricate news, to misinform and to manipulate) and even, sadly, the use of plain violence, as the world observed last October 1.
Spain, again, is shifting towards its traditional authoritaan rule, at least where this is needed: in order to preserve the sacrosanct unity of the state, it does not matter if rule of law is the exception, if basic rights are undermined, or if separation of powers is turned into a façade, even at the cost of resembling a kingdom nearer to Turkey than to standar liberal democracies.
The bottom line
This specific mindset of Spain's rulers allows for a better understanding of the eight years of consecutive political rallies, all of them exceptional, in terms of the huge crowds that gathered, as well as for their radically peaceful and democratic claim. One can state about them that arguably the bottom line has been, indeed, self-determination: i.e. Catalonia's resolve to be considered as an equal with the State, rather than a cash-cow belonging to it. Furthermore, it is worth noting that if secession is now centre stage it is only because of the 2010 coup (terminology used by renowned experts) by Spain's Constitutional Court against the agreement on autonomy between Catalonia and Spain.
Allen Buchanan, a top scholar on secession processes, was in Barcelona recently to comment on the moral reasons for independence. Mr. Buchanan gives a list of just causes for unilateral secession, namely: unjust annexation of the seceding territory; persistent violations of basic human rights; state failure; serious ongoing discriminatory redistribution; persistent violation of group rights; the State's violation of autonomy agreements; and the State's persistent refusal to negotiate valid demands for autonomy (in good faith).
While we argue that almost all of the above reasons remain valid in the Catalan case, Buchanan mentioned the last two as the 'best argument" for Catalonia's independence. Furthermore, he deems other arguments raised by the pro-independence camp inadequate, such as the nationalist principle (more autonomy is the primary solution), unjust annexation (too long ago), simple redistribution (all states do it), and the simple plebiscitary principle (secessions are profound constitutional changes so they require "more elaborate procedures").
Implications of secession
Unquestionably, Buchanan is not fond of independence, for he remarks on the relevant implications of breaking the status quo (the Constitutional divide), while also pointing out that the two parties should work harder to find a solution within the boundaries of the state, be it with more devolution (see the case of Scotland and the UK), or an asymmetrical federalism (see the cases of Bavaria in Germany or Quebec in Canada).
In fact, his sophisticated thinking may not line up with any stance - he claimed that making everyone uncomfortable is a sign he is doing his job well. All in all, with a bit of perspective, the glass ís clearly and inexorably filling up in favour of the independence camp, in view of which we would like to quote the editorial of the UK conservative magazine, The Economist, on October 7: "Aggression against crowds of peaceful citizens may work in Tibet but cannot be sustained in a Western democracy. In the contest between formal justice and natural justice, natural justice wins eventually every time. Constitutions exist to serve citizens, not the other way around... "
SPAIN IS SHIFTING TOWARDS TRADITIONAL AUTHORITARIAN RULE
THE CUP IS CLEARLY FILLING UP IN FAVOUR OF INDEPENDENCE
See also (in Catalan):
- "Buchanan: ‘Si l’estat no vol negociar més autonomia, la independència unilateral és una causa justa’. Entrevista a un dels principals teòrics dels processos d'independència.". Andreu Barnils, VilaWeb, 3 October 2018. https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/buchananara-crec-mes-que-abans-que-si-lestat-refusa-negociar-mes-autonomia-la-independencia-unilateral-es-causa-justa/
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