Skip to main content
Access provided by

Curated by Project Syndicate

Catalonia’s Reckless Independence Bid

11 commentaries

The Catalan independence referendum was bold but impetuous, and the regional government now faces hostility from Spain and lacks support from any EU member state. Project Syndicate writers examine the implications for Spain, the EU, and other aspiring secessionists.

Sort by: Show:
  1. A Federal Spain in a Federal Europe
    Barcelona pro-unity protesters Borja Sanchez Trillo/Getty Images

    A Federal Spain in a Federal Europe

    Nov 2, 2017 Guy Verhofstadt sees only one realistic option for overcoming the crisis triggered by Catalonia's independence bid.

  2. The Sovereignty that Really Matters
    United States Supreme Court Hisham Ibrahim/Getty Images

    The Sovereignty that Really Matters

    Oct 20, 2017 Javier Solana calls for renewed efforts to reduce the preeminence of the nation-state.

  3. Europe’s Attackers From Within
    Protest against the arrest of two Catalan separatist leaders Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

    Europe’s Attackers From Within

    Oct 17, 2017 Joschka Fischer argues that a stable and intact Spain that includes Catalonia is essential to the EU's future.

  4. International Mediation is Not the Answer in Catalonia
    Spanish prime minister Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

    International Mediation is Not the Answer in Catalonia

    Oct 12, 2017 Ana Palacio argues that external mediation of the crisis would undermine democracy and the rule of law – and not only in Spain.

  5. Why Catalonia’s Independence Bid Is Failing
    palacio76_David-Ramos_GettyImages-Carles-Puigdemont-PS David Ramos/Getty Images

    Why Catalonia’s Independence Bid Is Failing

    Oct 12, 2017 Shlomo Ben-Ami describes the insuperable obstacles that will stifle the regional government's drive for statehood.

  6. Europe’s Return to Crisis?
    The new headquarters of 'La Caixa - Caixabank' Jose Jordan/Getty Images

    Europe’s Return to Crisis?

    Oct 11, 2017 Daniel Gros considers what Spain's internal tumult says about the European Union's structure and prospects.

Our Pick

Featured

  1. alnuaimi1_GodongUniversal Images Group via Getty Images_UAEsolar Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
    0

    A Western Distraction from Climate Action

    Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi warns that calls for the removal of Sultan Al Jaber as COP28 president-designate are a dangerous diversion.
  2. sheng137_Kaikeo SaiyasaneXinhua via Getty Images_china investment Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua via Getty Images
    0

    How to Restructure Chinese Supply Chains

    Andrew Sheng & Xiao Geng argue that private markets can be leveraged to support a much-needed economic transformation.
  3. hausmann112_AIZAR RALDESAFP via Getty Images_solar panels AIZAR RALDES/AFP via Getty Images
    0

    The Supply Side of Decarbonization

    Ricardo Hausmann touts strategies that create incentives for developing countries to produce renewables and other green goods.
  4. roubini177_Getty Images_china us Getty Images
    1

    America and China Are on a Collision Course

    Nouriel Roubini

    The G7 countries may have set out to deter China without escalating the new cold war, but the perception in Beijing suggests that they failed to thread the needle at their recent summit in Hiroshima. It is now clear to all that the United States, its allies, and any partners they can recruit are committed to containing China’s rise.

     juxtaposes recent developments and current trends with diplomatic happy talk about a “thaw” in tensions.
  5. hott1_Sean GallupGetty Images_africandevelopmentbank Sean Gallup/Getty Images
    0

    Leveling the Financial Playing Field for Africa

    Amadou Hott & Mark Malloch-Brown propose ways to redress longstanding inequities and enable African-led solutions to succeed.
  6. elerian157_Alex WongGetty Images_jeromepowell Alex Wong/Getty Images
    0

    Why the Fed Is Hard to Predict

    Mohamed A. El-Erian

    The US Federal Reserve is adrift, and it has only itself to blame. Regardless of whether its policy-setting committee announces another interest-rate hike in June, its top priority now should be to address the structural weaknesses that led it astray in the first place.

     thinks the US central bank's biggest problem is not the economy but rather its own institutional shortcomings.
  7. frankel148_PATRICK T. FALLONAFP via Getty Images_coloradoriverdrought Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
    1

    How to Quench the American West’s Thirst

    Jeffrey Frankel argues that eliminating water subsidies and implementing market pricing is better than the alternative.
  8. breiding1_ Fatih AktasAnadolu Agency via Getty Images_national debt clock Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
    1

    Give America a Debt Brake

    R. James Breiding thinks the United States could learn a valuable lesson from a policy Switzerland put in place in 2003.
  9. patten154_ Stefan Rousseau - PoolGetty Images_g7 summit Stefan Rousseau - Pool/Getty Images
    4

    The Myth of Western Decline

    Chris Patten argues that Chinese leaders’ characterization of liberal democracy as decadent betrays their fear of it.

Edit Newsletter Preferences

Set up Notification

To receive email updates regarding this {entity_type}, please enter your email below.

If you are not already registered, this will create a PS account for you. You should receive an activation email shortly.