Nacionalinių tapatybių įtaka secesijos procesui: Katalonijos atvejis ; National identities' influence on secession. the case of catalonia

Abstract

In terms of political context of Catalonia's referendum and declaration of independence, it's relevant to analyse Catalans' national identity and its main structural elements. The main cause for the study was to identify whether catalans' identity is constructed through the opposite narratives and variables of distance from Spanish people and what are the main elements which allow us to highlight the process of strengthening this national identity of Catalans. Therefore the main goal is to identify how (and if) the distance between these two identities of Spanish and Catalans was developed. Also, to assess the connection of Catalans' identity to the secession process. In order to reach these goals the main structural elements for the national identity were distinguished. Futhermore, the recent political events and the political system of Catalonia were discussed. It was chosen two Catalans websites (El National and La Vanguardia) and their analytical articles for this research. The study showed that apparently there are quite a lot of differences between Spanish and Catalans which are reflected in the narratives of media. And the distance definitely demonstrates the strenght of Catalans' identity which reflects to the concrete political steps towards Catalonia's independence. However La Vanguardia narratives show the existence of seeking to diminish these differences and suggesting to take uniting decisions for both parts of the conflict. However it should be mentioned that the hostility and ethnicity (basically the language) are the only one non-changing elements of national Catalans' identity, the others might be changed. This means that in the long-term perspective there is a likely possibility for Catalans and Spanish to find a solution of living together, especially by giving more autonomy and rights for Catalonia within the country of Spain. All in all it's worth to follow the process of Catalan national identity in the future to see their direction and possible changes in terms of distance or the proximity.