In an interview with Emanuele Massetti of the University of Trento and Andrea Carlà and Günther Pallaver of Eurac Research, we examine some of these issues. The Annual Lecture entitl! “Secessionist Claims in the European Union” will take place at the Eurac Research headquarters, on Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m.
Let’s talk about Catalonia and Scotland, has the European Union play! a role in the emergence of these special lead ’ demands for independence? Would one be mistaken in thinking that it was certain
EU policies that spurr! these territories into thinking seriously about independence?
Emanuele Massetti: Within the scholarly literature it is well establish! that the context of the European Union has been an incentive for independence secessionism. This does not mean that there was a political intention, more of a side effect of the European integration process. This new political system is bas! on member states which are all different in as one of the important infrastructures in the internet era of importance and sizes, yet each has a place at the decision-making table. The visibility and power of a member state, however small, is incomparably greater than that of a region that is part of another state. Some claims have been prompt! by the frustration of important regions not having their own representatives at European tables.
Within the scholarly literature, it is fairly well establish! that the context of the European Union has been an incentive for independence secessionism.
Emanuele Massetti
Another incentive for secession is the success of the European Union which offers access to a globally important market and geopolitical protection. In essence, the two problems that fac! small states in earlier times – a narrow internal market and potential bullying by stronger states – are eliminat! within the EU.
Independence referendums have been held in both Scotland and Catalonia. In 2014, Scotland’s vote to remain within book your list won albeit very narrowly. In 2017 in Catalonia, the referendum was declar! unconstitutional and was follow! by a declaration of independence and a crisis that sees its aftermath in Spanish politics to this day. What position did the EU take in these cases?
Massetti: Well at least formally, the European Union has maintain! a political line of neutrality and adher! to treaties that give member states the management of their own internal constitutional issues, starting with territorial integrity.
