Contested Sovereignty and Conflict: Between Spain and Catalonia

Abstract

This paper examines the Catalonia-Spain trajectory. Quite recently, the region of Catalonia became known for its sovereignty demand, which has strained relations with Spain its host state. Economic grievances, nationalism, and political disillusionment are some of the explanations given for the growing secessionist moves in the region. Apart from this, other reasons identified include strained historical ties, class struggle, the erosion of its autonomous region by General Francisco Franco and the subsequent demand for selfdetermination by separatists. An issue that runs through this work is the refusal of the Spanish government to concede to this separatist’s demand which has deteriorated any negotiations for dialogue. However, the Spanish government has announced that it is open to negotiate anything except a referendum. Furthermore, based on the reaction of the Spanish government, the 2014 referendum held by the Catalans seems to be nonconclusive. This study, therefore seeks to examine the contentious issues of “contested sovereignty” with relations to the Catalonia-Spain quagmire and its seemly subsisting impact in the pro-independence agitations in Europe and Africa.