Should Catalonia be independent?
Pros
1. As well as Spain is a democratic country and it rules basing on people’s opinions the ask for independence should be taken into account. In fact, some 1.5 million Catalans took to the streets of Barcelona to march for independence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtn--H02bi8 Thus, Catalonia should be independed.
2. Since, Catalonia is one of the richest autonomous communities and the biggest economy in Spain, it displays better levels of public services, education, industrial development and occupation than the majority of Spanish autonomous communities. It also has arguably the most vibrant cultural life in Spain. The tax revenues collected in Catalonia goes to Madrid and feed back is scanty. It would be better if Catalonia manage it by themselves to improve other aspects of it’s autonomous communities, but not suffer from the Spain problems. (The London School of Economics and Political Science). (political aspects of the debate on the independence) http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2013/10/12/the-independence-of-catalonia-jumping-on-a-bandwagon/
3. Catalonia is not Spain. Catalans don’t dance flamenco and they’ve banned bullfighting as cruel and barbaric. They are part of distinct, proud nation with its own language, history, culture and flag and that separate identity has survived Flanco’s brutal attempts to suppress the Catalan language in the decades after the Civil War. Supporters of independence argue that their language and culture is not sufficiently respected by the Spanish central government, and they worry that, unless something is done, their culture will be absorbed. If Catalonia is not independent, it will be the murder of unique nation.
Cons
1. Leaving the euro could cause a fair bit of economic disruption, because Credit Suisse estimates that Catalonia's GDP would fall by as much as 20 percent if it seceded, as businesses fled and trade with the rest of Spain suffered. " So, a 20% fall in Catalonia’s per capita income would leave Catalonia falling below the wealth level of the remainder of Spain ", that is not really good for Catalonian people, economy.
2. With 7.5 million people, Catalonia makes up 20 percent of Spain's economy, and its per-capita GDP is one-fifth higher than the rest of Spain. The rest of Spain (ES ex. CAT), would be one of the poorest countries in the euro, down with Greece and Portugal:
looks like a pretty good deal for Catalonia. But there's a catch. If the region did formally secede, it might have to leave the euro and the E.U., at least temporarily. (European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said that Catalonia would have to reapply for membership again. It means applying for membership will take some time and it can cause problems to Catalonia.
3. Actually, being independent, EU will not supply small and midium business, for this reason the market of 28 countries well be closed for Catalonia, moreover no access to studying programs, like Erasmus. In fact, Catalonia has 52,71% of youth unemployment (BBC news). In conclusion, after being independent Catalonia will be tête-à-tête with it’s problems without no support.
