Jan 2018 PF

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The Evidence Standard January 2018
The Evidence Standard

Speech and Debate provides a meaningful and educational experience to all who are involved. We,
as educators in the community, believe that it is our responsibility to provide resources that
uphold the foundation of the Speech and Debate activity. Champion Briefs, its employees,
managers, and associates take an oath to uphold the following Evidence Standard:
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2. We will never knowingly distribute information that has been proven to be inaccurate, even if
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and vision of this activity.

These seven statements, while simple, represent the complex notion of what it means to advance
students’ understanding of the world around them, as is the purpose of educators.
Champion Briefs 4
Letter from the Editor January 2018
Letter from the Editor
The January 2018 Public Forum topic is "Resolved, Spain should grant Catalonia its
independence." Catalonia is in the midst of a very controversial independence movement that
has deep historical roots, but has blossomed over the past few months. European affairs are
not discussed enough in Public Forum, and this topic will give students the opportunity to
explore international law and political theory from a totally new perspective.
The vast majority of students had probably not even heard of Catalonia before this topic
was announced. While researching, my hope is that you’ll not only learn about this region in
particular but also about the broad ways that ethnic, cultural, and geographic differences help
shape social dynamics and international relationships. Through this exploration, you’ll probably
learn more about the similar reasons that the world map has changed so drastically in past
decades. Additionally, this topic will require debaters to learn more about Spain's government
than they'll learn in any AP or IB class, including the uniqueness of Spain’s international
relationships, human rights issues, and the history of secession conversations.
At Champion Briefs, we have written a brief that covers all of the major angles of
Catalonia's independence movement. In particular, our staff have worked hard to include
diverse link arguments that will broaden the types of arguments that can be made on both
sides of the topic. As always, our brief is designed to inspire students to research more
effectively and efficiently, and this month I certainly believe we have achieved our goal. Happy
debating!
Michael Norton
Editor-in-Chief
Champion Briefs 5
Table of Contents January 2018
Table of Contents
The Evidence Standard ....................................................................... 4

Letter from the Editor ......................................................................... 5

Table of Contents ............................................................................... 6

Topic Analyses .................................................................................... 8
Topic Analysis by Jakob Urda ..................................................................................................... 9
Topic Analysis by Bélen Mella .................................................................................................. 16
Topic Analysis by Harrison Hurt ............................................................................................... 26

General Information ......................................................................... 35

Pro Arguments with Con Responses ................................................. 48
PRO: Catalonia has a Human Rights Claim for Independence .................................................. 49
A/2: Catalonia has a Human Rights Claim for Independence ............................................... 52
PRO: Catalonia has a right to self-determination .................................................................... 55
A/2: Catalonia has a right to self-determination .................................................................. 59
PRO: Spain treats Catalonia like a colony ................................................................................. 61
A/2: Spain treats Catalonia like a colony .............................................................................. 64
PRO: Catalonia will continue to fight ....................................................................................... 66
A/2: Catalonia will continue to fight ..................................................................................... 69
PRO: Catalonian independence will inspire greater independence movements ..................... 71
A/2: Catalonian independence will inspire greater independence movements. ................. 75
PRO: Catalonian state will provide more benefits to Catalonians ........................................... 78
A/2: Catalonian state will provide more benefits to Catalonians ........................................ 81
PRO: Preventing Catalonian Secession empowers Russia ........................................................ 84
A/2: Preventing Catalonian Secession empowers Russia ..................................................... 88
PRO: Foreign intervention in Catalonia .................................................................................... 91
A/2: Foreign intervention in Catalonia ................................................................................. 94
PRO: Foreign intervention in Catalonia .................................................................................... 96
A/2: Foreign intervention in Catalonia ................................................................................. 99
PRO: Catalonian separatist violence ...................................................................................... 101
A/2: Catalonian separatist violence. ................................................................................... 104
PRO: Catalonian independence will help the Catalonian economy ....................................... 106
A/2: Catalonian independence will help the Catalonian economy ..................................... 110
PRO: Catalonian independence will increase government efficiency .................................... 114
A/2: Catalonian independence will increase government efficiency .................................. 117
Champion Briefs 6
Table of Contents January 2018
PRO: Catalonian independence upholds Catalonian culture ................................................. 121

A/2: Catalonian Independence upholds Catalonian Culture ............................................... 125
PRO: Catalonian independence will decrease political polarization ...................................... 129
A/2: Catalonian independence will decrease political polarization .................................... 134
PRO: Catalonian independence upholds democratic values .................................................. 138
A/2: Catalonian independence upholds democratic values ............................................... 142

Con Arguments with Pro Responses ............................................... 146
CON: Spain's constitutional crisis ........................................................................................... 147
A/2: Spain's constitutional crisis ......................................................................................... 150
CON: Catalonian migration .................................................................................................... 152
A/2: Catalonian migration ................................................................................................... 155
CON: Basque Separatism ....................................................................................................... 157
A/2: Basque Separatism ...................................................................................................... 159
CON: Catalonian independence hurts the Spanish Economy ................................................ 162
A/2: Catalonian independence hurts the Spanish economy ............................................... 166
CON: Catalonian independence hurts the Catalonian Economy ............................................ 170
A/2: Catalonian independence hurts the Catalonian economy .......................................... 174
CON: Harming the European Union ....................................................................................... 178
A/2: Harming the European Union ..................................................................................... 182
CON: Harming the Spanish Economy ..................................................................................... 186
A/2: Harming the Spanish Economy ................................................................................... 190
CON: Harming the Catalonian Economy ................................................................................ 194
A/2: Harming the Catalonian Economy .............................................................................. 198
CON: Negative Relationship Between Spain and Catalan ...................................................... 202
A/2: Negative Relationship Between Spain and Catalan .................................................... 207
CON: The Balkanization of Europe ......................................................................................... 211
A/2: The Balkanization of Europe ....................................................................................... 216
CON: Catalonian independence undermines Spanish democracy ......................................... 220
A/2: Catalonian independence undermines Spanish democracy ....................................... 224
CON: Catalonian independence would make Spain a less effective global partner ............... 227
A/2: Catalonian independence would make Spain a less effective global partner. ............ 231
CON: It is preferable for Catalonia to negotiate with the Spanish government .................... 234
A/2: It is preferable for Catalonia to negotiate with the Spanish government .................. 238
CON: Many Catalans do not want to secede ......................................................................... 242
A/2: Many Catalans do not want to secede ........................................................................ 248
CON: New Catalonia would be internationally isolated ......................................................... 251
A/2: New Catalonia would be internationally isolated ....................................................... 256
Champion Briefs 7
Topic Analysis by Jakob Urda January 2018
Topic Analysis by Jakob Urda
Resolved: Spain should grant Catalonia its independence.

This January, the NSDA continues a long tradition of choosing foreign policy topics which
are relevant to current events. The debate over Catalonian independence has reached a boiling
point this year, with a highly politicized referendum and crackdown. The topic is interesting
because it manages to be broad and narrow at the same time. On one hand, a question of
independence inherently involves questions of natural rights, history, and politics. The debate
cannot be decoupled from broad questions of secession, as well as relevant examples of similar
independence movements. Yet, the resolution also confines the scope of the debate to a
narrow and specific conflict, tethering argumentation to Catalonia and Spain. Through
emphasizing important broad arguments as well as the more narrow specifics of the situation in
Catalonia, the January topic promises to reward debaters who have an understanding of both,
and are willing to spend the time needed to really understand the issues at play.
Strategy Considerations
When examining the resolution, we ought to consider the different types of questions
which the topic asks of the debater. The resolution seems to pose three natural questions for
either team to answer:
What Human Rights Claim do people have to self-determination? If these claims exist,
are they universal?
Champion Briefs 9
Is honoring secession the necessary obligation of an actor who is tasked with fulfilling
such a claim towards self-determination?
Even if a rights-claim exists, would the Catalonians be better off or happier under an
independent state?
The first question is seemly obvious, but actually hotly contested among scholars of
human rights. While we would like to agree that people have some claim to self-determination
(or at least a government which represents their interests), this claim is almost certainly not
universal. Society would disintegrate if every discontented citizen decided to start their own
nation, and wars have been fought to protect nation-states at the expense of self-
determination (many of them being understood as legitimate and just, like the American civil
war). Yet, the supremacy of national government is also hardly absolute, and modern states
acknowledge, at least in theory, that people have a right to self-determine. Indeed, the
principal justification for the legitimacy of democracies like Spain and America is that they
manage to capture the popular will and represent the interests of their people. When a state
fails to do so, independence may be justified.
The first question is a necessary but insufficient burden for the second, which asks if
there is some fundamental human right to self-determination. The international community
seems to be in agreement that such a right if it exists at all, is not universal. For example,
International Court cases on East Timor, denying the legitimacy of separatist movements seem
to suggest a prioritization of state-sovereignty over self-determination. On the other hand,
there are cases in international law, such as an ongoing dispute over the independence of
Western Sahara, which might suggest that independence movements can be legitimate.
Champion Briefs 10
Certainly, there are cases where one might expect that self-determination trumps state
authority, such as in post-colonial nations. But, it is not clear that Catalonia has a claim to be
considered in the ranks of nations with a natural claim for independence, such as occupied
countries or colonies. Indeed, only three non-colonial nations have seceded in the post-1945
world order—Bangladesh, Eritrea, and most recently Kosovo—and each of these cases is a far
cry from the situation in Catalonia. The government's claim to oppression from Spain is limited
to fiscal representation, which is a far cry from the atrocities which were committed in the
three cases listed above. On the other hand, many Catalan scholars couch their claims for
independence in "the Right to Decide", which has evolved out of older conventions of the Right
to Self Determination, claiming that the democratic tradition of Spain generates legitimacy for
the secession movement. Indeed, there is an argument to be made that a government which
has staked its claim on the representation of its people ought to represent the will of the
Catalonians to leave. The point is not to say that one of these frameworks is true per se, but to
illustrate the importance of any team who argues about rights to ground their discussion in a
coherent and consistent conception framework for what constitutes a valid claim for self-
determination.
The next question is very important for the round because it relates to the policy
consequences of the first question. That is to say, if there is a right to self-determination, then
what should be done? It is not intuitive to say that a right to self-determination requires the
Spanish Government to respect secession because there are numerous other policy options
that the State could take in order to fulfill their obligations to Catalonians. For example, the
British employ the practice of home rule to devolve a certain amount of sovereignty to the
Champion Briefs 11
different groups in the United Kingdom. This allows for popular sovereignty to more clearly
manifest itself without creating a need for total independence. Therefore, it is important for
teams to not only explain what their rights-framework is for self-determination but also why
that would create a need for independence.
The last question worth considering before formulating argument is whether or not
Catalonian independence would be good for Catalonians. This is important because even if a
theoretical rights-claim to secession is true if it would be bad for Catalonians then it probably
should not be exercised. The mere existence of a right does not suppose the usage of that right.
For instance, although I have the right to free speech, I choose not to use it in circumstances
when doing so would be counterproductive or rude. Teams must show that Independence is
morally, as well as practically justified.
Affirmative Argumentation
One argument that every affirmative should think through is the simple point of self-
determination. While straightforward, this is the argument which most of the scholarship on
the topic concerns itself with and is one of the most intuitive in the minds of the judges.
The chief issue with running an argument like this is frontlining. Almost every team on the
negative will have some massive response to this argument because it is the first point that
most schools will spend time prepping out. Being able to win this point requires Aff teams to
really understand the warrants behind the argument. One of the most important aspects of this
Champion Briefs 12
is being able to respond to negative teams who say that ‘self-determination is not part of
international law, and that self-determination cannot come at the expense of statehood'.
At face value, these responses are pretty persuasive: Most people agree that groups
should not be able to secede willy-nilly. But under closer examination, the general logic for
these claims does not seem to apply to Catalonia. The reason that we do not allow groups to
break away from states is that it would be disastrous for the remaining people. If all the
prosperous areas left a country, the privileged areas would be dealing an immense economic
blow to the rest of the country. If there is not a significant harm generated by secession (which
is certainly arguable on the affirmative), it becomes a lot more difficult to argue against self-
determination. Marc Weller, a prominent Political Theorist from Cambridge University, writes
an interesting piece on how our collective prioritization of statehood over self-determination is
not so much based in the logic of rights as it is in the realities of power-politics. He writes:
"International legal rules are made by governments. Governments have an interest in
perpetuating the legitimating myth of statehood based on an exercise of the free will of
the constituents of the state—their own legitimacy depends on it. But while embracing
the rhetoric of free will and self-constituting states, governments have simultaneously
ensured that the legal right to self-determination, at least in the case of secession, is
strictly rationed and cannot ever be invoked against the state they represent."
Champion Briefs 13
This merely scratches the surface of the debate over self-determination but is illustrative of the
need to really engage in the finer points of the theory. The topic is broad, but it would be a fatal
mistake to skip over understanding the nuances of self-determination.
Negative Argumentation
Negative teams should approach their advocacy strategically by thinking about offense
and defense. There are a number of burdens which can be placed on the aff which quickly
result in a neg ballot: People have no right to independent statehood, Devolved sovereignty is
preferable to independence, etc. These types of responses can be made in rebuttal because
they interact well with the most common aff arguments.
To maximize time-efficiency, it may be smart for negative teams to argue in-case that
Independence would be materially bad for Catalonians. This is because even if a pro team wins
their case arguments about rights-claims and sovereignty, which they pretty much have to do in
order to win any debate on the topic, if Catalonians would be worse off from Independence,
then they probably shouldn't get it. This allows for a very efficient end-round collapse, where
defense and be discussed quickly, and most time can be spent on case extensions.
Catalan secession would not be a sure-win for its citizens. First, the move would mean
leaving the EU, as no formal method exists for regions which leave member states to join. This
issue was also present during Scotland's recent debate over secession. The EU could also
theoretically sanction Catalonia through Article 7 of the European Union Treaty. Either of these
actions could bring economic costs to the Catalonian people which might outweigh the benefits
Champion Briefs 14
of leaving. The EU accounts for 65 percent of exports and 70 percent of Catalan foreign direct
investment and is an important supplier of many goods. Furthermore, the uncertainty
generated by Catalonia's exit might dramatically hurt Catalonia's financial sector, and damage
the EU as a whole. It is intuitive that even if Catalonia can secede if doing so would cripple its
economy, it probably shouldn't.
Good luck this month everyone!
About Jakob Urda
Jakob grew up in Brookyn, New York. He attends the University of Chicago where he
hopes to receive a BA in Political Science in 2019, and is interested in security studies and
political economy. Jakob debate for Stuyvesant High School where he won Blake, GMU, Ridge,
Scarsdale, Columbia, the NCFL national championship, and amassed 11 bids. He coached the
winners of the NCFL national tournament, Harvard, and Blake.
Champion Briefs 15
Topic Analysis by Bélen Mella January 2018
Topic Analysis by Bélen Mella
Introduction
The debate topic for the month of January is Resolved: “Spain should grant Catalonia its
independence.” Catalonia is an autonomous region in the north-east of Spain, and its most
famous city is Barcelona. I spent the summer in Barcelona, and remember noticing how whole
buildings were draped in flags, with some flying La Senyera (the yellow-red striped flag of
Catalonia) and others flying L’Estelada (the yellow-red striped flag with an added single star,
signaling support for the independence movement). I also remember my surprise on the first
day of work when I realized no one spoke Spanish around the office; the go-to language was
Catalan.
Indeed, Catalonia is a distinct region with its own language and culture. Of course, the
same can be said of the Basque Country, Andalusia, Galicia, and other autonomous regions of
Spain. Due to a storm of political circumstances, however, it is the question of Catalonian
independence that is now on center stage. This is an exciting debate topic that gives you the
opportunity to become immersed in international issues. While much of your research should
be specific to the Catalan quest for independence, you should also pay attention to other
separatist movements and how they can inform this debate.
Champion Briefs 16
Background
On some debate topics, background information about the region might help you
impress the judge and intimidate your opponents. On this topic, background information is far
more important. After all, the question of Catalan independence is intricately tied to whether
Catalonia’s distinct culture and history warrant an independent nation.
According to Alexander and Badcock, Catalonia has a population of 7.5 million people,
making up 16.1 percent of Spain’s 46.6 million. Furthermore, 95 percent of the people in
Catalonia speak Catalan1. Before states, as we know them today, Catalonia was an
"independent region of the Iberian Peninsula" (the body of land that includes modern-day
Spain and Portugal), with its own "language, laws, and customs." This began to change in 1150
with the marriage of the Queen of Aragon and the Count of Barcelona, which formed a dynasty
encompassing the two regions. Then came the War of Spanish Succession, which saw the
"defeat of Valencia in 1707, of Catalonia in 1714, and finally with the last of the islands in 1715
– resulting in the birth of modern-day Spain.”2 In 1931, the Spanish government restored the
Generalitat, or the national Catalan government, after numerous attempts to “impose the
Spanish language and laws on the region.”
These attempts resumed with full force under General Francisco Franco, the military
dictator of Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975. Encarnación of Foreign Policy3 writes that

1 Harriet Alexander, James Badcock, In Madrid. Telegraph, 10-4-2017. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/does-
catalonia-want-independence-spain/
2 Ibid.
3 Omar G. Encarnación. Foreign Policy, 10-5-2017. http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/05/the-ghost-of-franco-still-
haunts-catalonia/
Champion Briefs 17
"the ghost of Franco still haunts Catalonia," but we need some more context to understand
why. Franco came to power after the Spanish Civil War, which spanned from 1936 to 1939. His
nationalist army "opposed the extension of autonomy to Catalonia and the Basque Country,"
another culturally and linguistically distinct region of Spain. Once in power, Franco "canceled
the autonomy charters that the republic had granted to the Catalans and the Basques.”
Furthermore, he “banned all regional languages and symbols (including the Catalan language,
its flag, and national holiday, the Diada).”4 This only ended with Franco’s death and the return
of democracy, at which point the region was again granted a degree of autonomy.
Nevertheless, Franco’s rule left profound impacts. This past summer, I met my Catalan great-
aunt who still winces at the Spanish name “Rosario”; under Franco’s rule, she was forced to
change her traditionally Catalan name, “Roser.”
Current Political Landscape
In 2010, the Constitutional Court in Madrid “overruled part of the 2006 autonomy
statute, stating that there is no legal basis for recognising Catalonia as a nation within Spain.”5
According to the Economist6, this is one of two factors that increased the calls for
independence. The other factor was the financial crisis. Spain’s central government
implemented austerity measures (which generally entails a reduction of government spending)

4 Ibid.
6 The Economist. “Why the referendum on Catalan independence is illegal.” Sep 26th 2017.
https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2017/09/economist-explains-17
Champion Briefs 18
after the housing and financial bubble in 2009. The Economist furthers that “nationalist
politicians in Barcelona succeeded in deflecting against Madrid popular anger” about these
austerity measures. Ultimately, “parties campaigning for independence narrowly won a
regional election in 2015.”
At this point, you should get to know the major players. Spain’s prime minister is
Mariano Rajoy, of the conservative People’s Party. Crucially, Rajoy’s party is “only the fifth-
largest party in Catalonia, and is strongly opposed to any moves for independence for the
region.”7 The president of Catalonia was Carles Puigdemont. According to Alexander and
Badcock, Puigdemont was backed by a majority in the region’s parliament, consisting of a
“coalition of Catalan nationalist forces from the conservative CDC and the leftist Esquerra
Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) parties... together with the radical Left-wing CUP party.”8 I use
the term was because at the time that this Topic Analysis was published, Puigdemont is in
Belgium, waiting to be prosecuted by the Spanish national government9. According to the New
York Times10, 20 members of Catalonia’s former leadership “now face charges, including
possibly for rebellion and sedition, which hold penalties of up to 30 years in prison.”
We should backtrack a couple of months to understand why. In September 2017,
Puigdemont’s majority in parliament approved a “binding referendum on independence for

8 Ibid.
9 Raphael Minder. New York Times, 12-5-2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/world/europe/catalonia-
independence-carles-puigdemont.html?_r=0
10 Ibid.
Champion Briefs 19
Catalonia.”11 The central government in Madrid promptly declared this referendum illegal. This
is because Spain’s democratic constitution of 1978 --which opponents of independence will
point out was “approved by more than 90% of Catalan voters”--- “gave wide autonomy to the
regions but affirmed ‘the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation’.”12 Despite this declaration
from Madrid, Catalonia went ahead with the referendum on October 1st. This led to major
“violence inside and around polling stations as Spanish security forces seized ballot boxes and
attempted to close down the vote.”13 Madrid then called in Article 155, a provision that allows
the “national government to take over a regional government, including its finances and
police.”14 Rajoy also called for elections for a new regional parliament to take place on
December 21st, “in the hope that voters would replace the separatists,” according to the New
York Times15.
Strategy and Arguments
Having set up the historical background and current political landscape, we can turn to
questions of strategy and specific arguments. The way the resolution is worded --“Spain should
grant Catalonia its independence”-- the ball seems to land on Spain’s court. This is interesting,

12 The Economist. “Why the referendum on Catalan independence is illegal.” Sep 26th 2017.
https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2017/09/economist-explains-17
14 Amanda Erickson. Washington Post, October 27 2017.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/30/catalonia-independence-referendum-spain/
15 Raphael Minder. New York Times, 12-5-2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/world/europe/catalonia-
independence-carles-puigdemont.html?_r=0
Champion Briefs 20
since it seems pretty evident that Spain is not interested in granting Catalonia its independence.
What makes this resolution work is the term “should.” According to the Oxford English
Dictionary, the word “should” is “used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically
when criticizing someone's actions.” As such, even if the current Spanish government does not
seem particularly inclined to grant Catalonia its independence, there is certainly a case to be
made that they should.
This topic is also complex because many of the same arguments could apply to either
side, depending on how you frame them. Catalonia is key to Spain’s economy; this is either a
reason against independence, since Spain --and in particular its poorer regions to which
Catalonian wealth is indirectly redistributed-- stands to lose a major industrial zone, or a reason
for independence, from the perspective of Catalonians who pay more in taxes than they receive
in government spending. Similarly, debaters should also consider whether the Catalonian
decision would set a precedent for other movements to follow. Does this matter for the
purposes of our debate? And if it does, is setting a precedent a good thing or a bad thing?
Hennessy-Fiske of the LA Times16 provides some context, noting movements for local rule in
places like Scotland, the Flanders region of Belgium, the Corsica region of France and parts of
northern Italy. She furthers that "experts said these separatists have been encouraged by
Catalonia's independence bid and are gaining strength, but are unlikely to declare their own
new republics because they have other legal paths to achieve greater autonomy." Indeed, the
president of the regional assembly in Corsica hailed the "birth of the Catalonia Republic." From

16Molly Hennessy-Fiske. latimes, 10-30-2017. http://beta.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-catalonia-europe-
20171030-story.html
Champion Briefs 21
one perspective, self-determination is a good thing, as separatists vie for a more representative
government that respects their regional history and culture. From another, it would lead to
excessive fragmentation and subsequent negative harms. The European Commission president
Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement that the EU "doesn't need any more cracks, more
splits…. We shouldn't insert ourselves into what is an internal debate for Spain, but I wouldn't
want the European Union to consist of 95 member states in the future," making it clear where
he stands17.
Another important strand of argumentation is where the Catalonian people stand.
According to Erickson of the Washington Post18, the Catalan government reported 2.3 million
votes in the referendum, with 90% of voters opting for independence. However, this is out of
approximately six million eligible voters. Although separatists claimed victory through this vote,
pundits point out that since the referendum was declared illegal by the Spanish government,
opponents of independence simply stayed home. Thus, the 90% figure is severely inflated, with
support for independence probably hovering somewhere in the forties.
The referendum is significant not only because of its numeric outcome but also because
of the way it was handled by the Spanish government. Wildman of Vox19 writes that
government brutally cracked down on the vote, beating unarmed voters, firing rubber bullets,
and seizing ballot boxes. She furthers that “in a country that has only been a democracy for four
decades, the scenes of police violence — which left some 800 people injured — looked like

17 Ibid.
18 Amanda Erickson. Washington Post, October 27 2017.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/30/catalonia-independence-referendum-spain/
19 Sarah Wildman. Vox, 10-2-2017. https://www.vox.com/world/2017/10/2/16393956/catalonia-catalan-
independence-crackdown-vote-referendum
Champion Briefs 22
images from Spain’s bygone era of fascist leadership.”20 While it is impossible to compare the
events of one day to the experience of Catalonia under decades of dictatorial rule, Madrid’s
handling of the referendum vote could give credence to the claim that Catalonians are
mistreated under Spanish rule. Paired with the fact that they have their own language and
culture, this could set up a case for independence.
Another important argument has to do with the internationally decreed right to self-
determination. According to the United Nations21, "All peoples have the right to self-
determination. By virtue of that right, they freely determine their political status and freely
pursue their economic, social and cultural development." The right to self-determination is
often called upon by separatist leaders who vie for independence. However, Blanco of Al
Jazeera22 points out an issue in the Catalonian case, though this is certainly up for debate: “this
right is limited to decolonisation processes and undemocratic regimes that do not respect the
rule of law, subject to conditions established by the UN that have nothing to do with the
situation in Catalonia.”
Blanco adds that the Spanish constitution’s guarantee of “national sovereignty and
territorial integrity of its borders” is not exceptional among Western democratic nations, and is
in fact in line with the stance of the United States, France, Italy and Germany23. He further adds
that separatists “could try to achieve their political aim through a reform that introduced the

20 Ibid.
21 http://www.unpo.org/article/4957
22 Nacho Martin Blanco. Al Jazeera, 11-9-2014. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/07/case-catalan-
secession-170728105819426.html
23 Ibid.
Champion Briefs 23
right to secession in the Spanish Constitution” (emphasis added). However, he argues that they
do not take this route because it would entail a “lengthy and expensive process that requires
qualified parliamentary majorities, and that is precisely what the nationalists do not have.”
Indeed, the Autonomous Parliament of Catalonia itself is fractured on the question of
independence.
Finally, let us consider economic arguments. At 65.1 billion euros, Catalonia’s annual
exports to other countries are double that of any other Spanish region24. Their unemployment
rate is 13.2 percent, significantly lower than the national average of 17.2 percent. If it were an
independent country, Catalonia would be the 34th largest economy in the world, bigger than
Portugal or Hong Kong. According to Alexander and Babcock, secession would cost "Spain
almost 20 percent of its economic output, and trigger a row about how Catalonia would return
52.5 billion euros of debt it owes to the country's central administration."25 These financial
figures are simply a question of how you spin them. One way to make this debate more
interesting is by taking into account the international economic agreements that might be
affected if Catalonia were to secede. For example, would Catalonia then join the European
Union as an independent state? If not, how would this affect their ability to trade? If so, how
much autonomy would they actually be gaining by separating from Spain?

24 HarrietAlexander, James Badcock, In Madrid. Telegraph, 10-4-2017. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/does-
25 Ibid.
Champion Briefs 24
Conclusion
As you can see, this topic will require knowledge of cultural issues, political arguments, and
economic consequences, just to name a few general areas. While it is certainly challenging, it
does pose an exciting opportunity to become well versed on an important international issue,
with applications beyond the Iberian peninsula. January is also a great month for debate. Some
December tournaments run the January topic, so it’s a good opportunity to build a strong body
of research over several weeks. You also have Winter Break to try and catch up on prep -- but
don’t be too hard on yourself if all you end up catching up on is sleep.
Happy Holidays and good luck!
Champion Briefs 25
Topic Analysis by Harrison Hurt January 2018
Topic Analysis by Harrison Hurt
Introduction
The January 2018 NSDA Public Forum debate topic is a classic “ripped from the
headlines” issue. The Catalonian independence movement and responses from the Spanish
government have dominated international media headlines throughout the fall. This resolution
is also presented at a very contentious time in Europe at large: the rise of far-right parties,
political struggles of European champion Angela Merkel, and the general sentiment of
Euroscepticism establishes a very interesting climate to debate the topic of Catalonian
independence. Indeed, the gripping issues in Europe today and the fresh resurgence of the
Catalonian independence question mean that debating this month will very much center
around each day’s news headlines; following daily developments will be crucial to
understanding how the resolution and its impacts will play out.
The question of Catalonian independence, at its heart, revolves around important
discussions of self-determination and national sovereignty. As with every topic, remember that
real people’s lives are much at stake here. The issue of national identity is a complex and
sensitive manner; at what point do we determine that a group of individuals “deserves” their
own government or not? What standards and mechanisms do we establish to answer this
question? How is the right to self-determination weighable against other considerations?
Answering these questions is no small task, but it’s a project that debaters should take upon
themselves to be successful on this topic.
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January is filled with several important tournaments. The Blake Tournament, while
technically in mid-December, is the first tournament that will use the January topic. Blake is a
well-run, highly competitive national circuit tournament that debaters typically get a lot out of.
Other large, notable tournaments throughout January include the Sunvitational, Lexington,
ASU, Columbia, and Emory, among others. With such a high concentration of bid tournaments,
January can be a key time for debaters looking to qualify for the Tournament of Champions
who haven't done so already. Thus, it’s worth getting a head start on this topic and investing a
significant amount of time into preparation to succeed.
Framework Consideration
An important starting point for discussing this topic is establishing which perspective to
take. Do we evaluate impacts from the lens of Spain, Catalonia, Europe, or the entire world?
This important question can entirely change the outcome of the debate. Many will suggest that
because Spain is the actor in the resolution, we should evaluate impacts from their perspective
exclusively and determine whether Catalonian independence is in the Spanish national interest.
This type of framework naturally gives a very significant advantage to the Con side, because it
throws out all the considerations about what is good for the Catalonians themselves and what
they deserve. Moreover, as will be discussed more in depth below, the Con team has a clear
advantage in showing that the pragmatic effects of Catalonian independence will be against the
Spanish national interest; intuitively, the Spanish government wouldn’t be so resistant to
Catalonia’s independence if this were not the case. Therefore, Pro teams will need to be on
Champion Briefs 27
guard against this kind of framework and figure out reasons why Spain’s interests shouldn’t be
the exclusive focus of the resolution. One justification for this might be that solely looking to
what Spain wants is abusive since it shuts out all debate about the rights of Catalonians
themselves, which is at the heart of this resolution.
In terms of general impacts and weighing, realize that this may be a topic where some
of the more dramatic and creative impacts that debaters link into on other resolutions may not
be very realistic or feasible. For example, debaters are likely to run arguments about a Spanish-
Catalonian civil war on either side, as a result of granting Catalonia their independence or
perhaps erupting from Catalonian frustrations if no independence happens. The truth value of
this argument is very weak. Very few legitimate commentators on the current political crisis are
suggesting that a civil war is likely or imminent, especially considering that Catalonia has no
army to speak of. Moreover, both sides would likely reach some sort of compromise rather
than resort to violence. While some violence may occur as a result of the rising tensions
between Spain and Catalonia, it is highly unlikely that this rises to the level of an intense civil
war as many debaters may attempt to claim.
Thus, while it is tempting to run dramatic and large impacts, every impact’s probability
needs to be considered in addition to its sheer size. To debate this topic successfully, debaters
need to make sure that their cases have realistic impacts that account for the actual
circumstances of Spain and Catalonia. This approach may shrink the scope of potential
legitimate arguments, but it’s not worth running arguments that rely on unrealistic impacts
anyways, because they are easy to lose and counterintuitive to most judges. Unlike in Policy,
where many different complex and long link chains into huge impacts are common, Public
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Forum often requires that debaters temper their argument expectations. For adjusting to this
topic properly, think in the lens of what is truly feasible and realistic on this topic. Impacts like
civil war might be a bit out of the question, but other forms of violence and economic impacts
are still on the table.
Affirmative Strategy and Argumentation
The Affirmative, in my view, is at a disadvantage on this topic. Most of its impacts and
arguments are not only isolated to the Catalonians themselves, but also reliant on the abstract
concept of the right to self-determination, or the idea that nations should have the right to
govern themselves independently. To understand this concept, it’s important to grasp the
distinction between the “nation” and the “state.”
In international relations, the state is the highest level of political authority in a given
territory. States are the main actors in contemporary international politics; it is the state that
chooses to go to war with others, set taxes in their territories, and conduct other policies
determined by that state’s governing structure and regime type. By contrast, the idea of the
“nation” is a more elusive concept, most often referring to a social community of individuals
bound together by a common language, culture, and history. Not every nation has its own
state; in the context of this resolution, for example, the Catalonians are an example of a nation
that is a part of the Spanish state. The right to self-determination says that the Catalonians
should have the right to their own state independent of Spain, due to the existence of their
distinct national identity; it is this argument more than any other that is referenced in the
literature on this topic.
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But how could you weigh the right to self-determination on its own or establish that it
exists in the first place? This is the most difficult challenge of using such an argument. One
answer might be to base the right to self-determination in a general principle of autonomy, or
the ability of individuals to make choices for themselves. There are many different justifications
for why the preservation of autonomy is of utmost consideration. One of the most compelling
might be that autonomy is what gives individuals the ability to determine what is morally right
or wrong in the first place, or even what is rationally within or against our interests. Framing
the debate this way transforms the Catalonian question into an issue about what it means to be
human and the ability to freely choose our own livelihoods. After establishing this principle, the
rest of the Pro argument would require showing that the autonomy of Catalonians is violated
by their lack of independence in the status quo. This may implicitly rely on the idea that at least
most Catalonians want independence, which is a contentious issue; while a strong majority
voted for independence in the referendum, the legitimacy of the vote has been heavily
disputed and polls show mixed results for what Catalonians truly want.
A more pragmatic approach to the Affirmative will be to make arguments along the lines
of “the alternative to Catalonian independence is worse” than the outcome of granting
independence. One version of this argument might be to say that if Spain does not grant
Catalonia its independence, tensions will only continue to rise and the Catalonian movement
will mobilize further. Impacting these tensions to forms of political violence such as terrorism or
civil war seems very farfetched to me; Catalonia does not have its own army, and there are no
active Catalonian terrorist groups.
Champion Briefs 30
That being said, it may be more feasible to make the argument that Catalonian mass
protest will only grow in frequency and size, which will, in turn, lead the Spanish government to
respond with more brutal police crackdowns, like they did with the referendum in October. This
could lead the international community to condemn the Spanish government and punish them
with tools like trade sanctions until they finally capitulate and grant independence to the
Catalonians. Thus, this argument essentially claims that if Spain does not grant Catalonia their
independence now, they will be forced to do so later and suffer immense political and
economic costs. This argument can weigh effectively against most Con cases, as you can say
that all of the Con team’s impacts are inevitable and in fact made worse if Spain does not grant
Catalonia their independence now.
Negative Strategy and Argumentation
The Con has a host of intuitive and strong arguments in its toolbox. The economic
consequences for both Spain and Catalonia are not promising. For Spain, losing its wealthiest
region is certainly a cause for concern. The lost productivity and tax revenue from Catalonian
independence will strike a major blow to the Spanish economy. For Catalonia, while it may no
longer have to pay Spanish taxes, other significant economic costs will likely outweigh this
positive impact. For one, Catalonia will now have to assume its own national debt, establish its
own political and economic institutions, and figure out trade deals. These difficult tasks will
scare off international and regional investors, who tend to shirk away from uncertainties. The
lost investment could definitely damage the ability of the Catalonia to thrive independently of
Champion Briefs 31
Spain, especially considering that Catalonia will now be solely responsible for the development
and protection of its domestic industries and workers.
Moreover, leaving Spain means that Catalonia will probably no longer be a part of the
European Union. This is especially damaging for Catalonia, since Europe is one of its largest
trading partners. Getting back in the E.U. will be no small task, considering that E.U.
membership is dependent on a unanimous vote from all current member states; considering
that Spain would likely vote against Catalonia’s membership in the E.U., its prospects of E.U.
membership are grim. Thus, the uncertainty and costs that would incur in both Spain and
Catalonia following independence would likely drag both economies. The hardest part of this
argument, though, will be estimating how much these costs will be for both parties and
showing that this economic impact is truly going to be consequential. Otherwise, it may not be
hard for Pro teams to beat back the price-tag of independence by outweighing with moral
claims or lives-based arguments.
Another Negative argument could be about the political instability that would follow
Catalonian independence, both in Spain itself and Europe at large. Granting Catalonia their
independence may give legitimacy to other self-determination movements, such as the Basque
movement on the border of Spain and France. Other prominent separatist movements exist in
parts of Italy, Scotland, Belgium, and other European countries. Catalonian independence could
set off a wave of destabilizing separatist movements throughout Europe, bringing about several
damaging impacts. First, these movements could kill investor confidence in the stability of
Europe, triggering capital outflows and economic instability. Second, some of these movements
may resort to political violence or incite violent responses from their target governments,
Champion Briefs 32
causing significant losses of life. Third, self-determination movements may empower nationalist
far right-wing parties, who paint themselves as defenders against encroachments on national
sovereignty; these parties, in turn, are known for their authoritarian tendencies and divisive
politics that are already threatening the stability of Europe at large. Taken together, these
impacts could be very damaging, especially given the instability and uncertainty that are
already beginning to plague Europe in the status quo.
The difficult part of this argument will be articulating how much these movements will
truly be emboldened and defining exactly how impactful they will be; failing to do so will make
the position nebulous and difficult to weigh. Moreover, there might be other barriers that hold
back these movements from growing that Catalonian independence does not solve for, such as
popularity and financial resources. Thus, Con teams making this claim will need very strong
warrants and evidence for why Catalonian independence alone can truly trigger mass separatist
mobilization across Europe and the impacts that come with it.
Good Luck!
About Harrison Hurt
Harrison Hurt is a Public Forum coach for the Walt Whitman Speech and Debate team in
Bethesda, Maryland. Since 2016, his students have collected a total of seven bids to the
Tournament of Champions, championed Blake, quarter-finals at Harvard, placed in the top 14 at
NSDA Nationals, and won top speaker at Columbia, among other achievements. Before
coaching for Whitman, Harrison debated in Public Forum for four years at Poly Prep Country
Champion Briefs 33
Day School in Brooklyn, New York. As a debater, he accumulated twelve bids to the
Tournament of Champions and championed several national circuit tournaments, including
Harvard, NCFL, Blake, Villiger, and NDCA. He also won the round robins held at Blake, Laird
Lewis, and Bronx. He made it to semis or further at the main tournaments of Wake Forest,
Bronx, Lexington, Emory, and Laird Lewis. In both his junior and senior years, he finished in the
top ten at NSDA Nationals and broke at the Tournament of Champions. He earned numerous
speaker awards, including top speaker at Bronx, second speaker at Yale, and second speaker at
the Tournament of Champions. Harrison is a sophomore at Georgetown University’s Walsh
School of Foreign Service, where he majors in International Political Economy.
Champion Briefs 34
General Information January 2018
General Information
Resolved, Spain should grant Catalonia its independence.

Foreword: We, at Champion Briefs, feel that having deep knowledge about a topic is just as
valuable as formulating the right arguments. Having general background knowledge about the
topic area helps debaters form more coherent arguments from their breadth of knowledge. As
such, we have compiled general information on the key concepts and general areas that we feel
will best suit you for in- and out-of-round use. Any strong strategy or argument must be built
from a strong foundation of information; we hope that you will utilize this section to help build
that foundation.

Champion Briefs 36
Catalonia's Push for Independence

"Catalonia has dominated international headlines in recent weeks in the wake of a banned
referendum on splitting away from Spain.
Yet, the region in the northeast of Spain, which has its own language and distinct customs, has
a long history of striving for independence.
One of Spain's wealthiest region, Catalonia today accounts for 15 percent of Spain's population
and 20 percent of its economic output. Historical disputes and financial grievances have
strengthened the cause of independence, yet its 7.5 million people appear to be deeply divided
over the issue.
A defined region of Catalonia was first referenced in the 12th century. The region has been part
of Spain since its unification in the 15th century, following the marriage of Ferdinand I of
Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile.
Despite always simmering under the surface, Catalonia's independent spirit did not show up in
a prominent way until the 17th century, when the Catalans revolted against the taxation
imposed by Philip IV of Spain.
In the decades that followed, Catalonia backed the eventual loser in the War of the Spanish
Succession (1701-1714), Archduke Archduke Charles of Austria. When Philip V won the war, the
Catalans were zeroed out and their semi-independence and separate parliament were
suppressed by the new king.
Champion Briefs 37

In the early 19th century, the Catalan feeling of independence emerged again, leading to a
revived effort for political autonomy.
In 1931, Spain's form of government changed from a monarchy to a republic. Catalonia became
semi-autonomous and the national Catalan government, the Generalitat, was reinstated.
However, during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) the Catalans fought for the losing
Republican side. After the war ended, General Francisco Franco and his Nationalist movement
suppressed any form of Catalan identity - the Catalan language, customs and autonomy were all
repressed until Franco's death in 1975.
The new Spanish government granted Catalonia partial autonomy in 1977. Two years later, in
1979, the region was given full autonomy.
In 2006, a reformed version of 1979's statute of autonomy came into force. The new version
gave the Catalan regional government more power, specifically on tax and finance matters.
However, in 2010, Spain's constitutional court struck down the statute's reformed version,
leading to a resurgence in Catalan nationalism.
The court's ruling took place during the height of a major eurozone economic crisis, which had
hit Spain particularly hard.
Champion Briefs 38
As an economic heavyweight for Spain, Catalonia's calls for independence grew louder
compared with the previous decades."

Champion Briefs 39
Spain's Constitutional Crisis

"The regional parliament in the Catalan region of Spain overwhelmingly voted for
independence, throwing Spain into the biggest constitutional crisis in its 40-year democratic
history.
Under Spanish national law, the vote has made secessionist parliamentarians vulnerable to
arrest for sedition. Immediately following the vote, the Spanish parliament in Madrid voted to
strip the Catalan regional government of its powers, invoking a never-before-used article of the
constitution — Article 155 — which allows Madrid to dissolve the autonomy of a region if the
unity of Spain is deemed at risk.
All of that means we have reached the moment the Iberian Peninsula has both anticipated and
dreaded since a controversial referendum on Catalan independence was held on October 1:
brinksmanship and deep uncertainty about the future.

How we got here:

The day of the October 1 referendum — which was ruled illegal by the Spanish Constitutional
Court — was marred by violence, with Spanish national police yanking would-be voters from
polls, beating protesters, and shooting rubber bullets into crowds. Hundreds were injured.
While the vote passed by a 90 percent to 10 percent margin, that number itself was
enormously skewed: Only 43 percent of eligible voters went to the polls, with voters who
wanted to remain in Spain largely avoiding the ballot box. Many would-be voters believed
the referendum itself was an undemocratic measure imposed upon them by a slim majority
of secessionists in the regional government.
In the weeks since the vote, protestors have filled the streets of Barcelona. First came those
who protested the Spanish central government’s heavy hand on October 1; then came crowds
all in white, asking for dialogue with Madrid; and still more came out under the red-and-gold
Spanish flag asking to remain in Spain itself.
Champion Briefs 40
Meanwhile, then-Catalan President Carles Puigdemont tried a confusing Solomonic approach to

appeasing the hardline secessionists in his government and the large swath of Catalans of who
wanted to remain with Spain. He announced that the region had won the right to declare
independence — but he held off on a declaration, asking, instead, for dialogue with Spanish
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, hoping Rajoy would agree to greater autonomies and allow
him a way to save face. Rajoy refused.
For weeks now, Puigdemont has been trying to find his way out of this bind by attempting to
coax Madrid to a negotiating table. But Rajoy has steadfastly refused dialogue with the
Catalans, instead insisting they back fully away from their bid for independence. Puigdemont,
who is backed by secessionist parliamentarians, has been unable to do that.
Ultimately, Puigdemont gave up: He stepped aside and kicked the decision about whether to
declare independence to the Catalan parliament. On Friday, they made their choice."ii

Champion Briefs 41
iii

Champion Briefs 42
The Economic Impact

"Catalonia’s crisis is beginning to bite. The second-largest bank based in the region will move
its legal HQ out of Catalonia in the wake of Sunday’s renewed push for independence. Banco de
Sabadell’s decision follows that of biotech group, Oryzon which confirmed its relocation from
Barcelona to Madrid earlier this week. The board of CaixaBank, Spain’s third-largest lender, will
meet on Friday to discuss redomiciling. Markets have responded by sending the share prices of
all three companies surging. High-profile relocations have the potential to humble Catalonia’s
pro-independence government. In its headlong rush for secession, the region’s leadership has
long championed the unique strengths of the Catalan economy, which is the same size as
Portugal’s and makes up a fifth of Spanish GDP. There is certainly a case to be made for
Catalonia’s economic exceptionalism: the economy is more business-friendly industrialised, and
internationalised, than most of the rest of Spain. Artur Mas, Catalonia’s former president, often
extolled the region’s virtues as the “Denmark” of southern Europe. This pitch — that Catalonia
is almost Germanic in economic character — has been put to its continental neighbours as a
reason to let any independent nation seamlessly join the EU and eventually the eurozone. Yet
the instability unleashed by the weekend’s events will have economic consequences. The
prospect of a unilateral declaration of independence conjures up visions of capital controls,
parliamentary shutdowns and legal uncertainties that businesses flee from. Germany’s EU
commissioner warned on Thursday that the situation could descend into “civil war”.
“Investment had been dropping before the vote and even more after it — lots of projects are
on hold,” says Miguel Otero, analyst at the Elcano Royal Institute in Madrid. The secessionist
threat will also shine a light on just what kind of economic policies any independent region
would pursue, given the disparate groups that back independence, from anti-capitalist
anarchists to centre-right nationalists. “The liberals want less bureaucracy, the middle class
wants less regulation and the anarchists want a socialist dream of a leftist participatory
democracy,” adds Mr Otero. And for all its perceived economic divergence from the rest of
Spain, Catalonia is hardly immune from deep-seated structural issues that have beset the
Champion Briefs 43
country as a whole. As this data crunching from the FT shows, inequality and unemployment
may be lower than the national average, but are far from solved. Catalonia’s youth
unemployment engulfs over a third of its young people. In the words of one bank official:
“Money and fear don’t go together”.iv
Champion Briefs 44
The Question of Secession

"Catalonia’s vote is not part of the global wave of populist authoritarianism. But, the rise of
populism and the rise of separatism are symptoms of the same problems. States are struggling
to manage diversity and internal economic disparity. This seems to be true even in rich, well-
consolidated democracies. Indeed, Catalonia is a rich region in a democratic country.
Referendums have been used to establish new nation-states and declare independence for a
couple hundred years. There have been many such votes all around the world. However,
independence referendums are not evenly distributed throughout history. They are held in
moments of systemic contention and change. The last wave of this type of referendum was
held 25 to 30 years ago, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and former Yugoslavia. It is
possible that the current increase in referendums used to deconstruct state structures,
including Brexit, demonstrates the inability of states to adequately adapt to the existential
challenges.
How else might the Spanish state address the demands of Catalan separatists? It is not
surprising that Madrid has responded to the vote with a crackdown. States that face more than
one separatist movement are more likely to use force in response to secessionist movements in
order to avoid balkanization. However, the message this strategy has sent to the separatist
Basque region may be that Spain is an untrustworthy partner to its autonomous regions.
Moreover, polls have shown that a majority of Catalans would like to remain within Spain. A
better strategy might have been constructive engagement, or simply allowing the vote to take
place and encouraging “no” voters to participate. Other European states with possible
separatist movements, including France, the United Kingdom, and Italy should be cautioned."vi

Champion Briefs 45
vii

Champion Briefs 46
Works Cited

I. "Catalonia's long push for independence." Al Jazeera. 10/31/17.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/catalonia-long-push-independence-
171031202023143.html
II. "Spain's untested law may be next in Catalan crisis." EDNHub. 10/10/17.
http://www.ednh.news/spains-untested-law-may-be-next-in-catalan-crisis/
III. Wildman, Sarah. "Catalonia's parliament voted for independence. So Spain dissolved it."
Vox. 10/27/17. https://www.vox.com/world/2017/10/27/16557560/catalonia-
parliament-independence-rajoy-puigdemont-spain-constitution
IV. "Catalonia Referendum in Numbers." TeleSur.
https://www.telesurtv.net/english/multimedia/-Catalonia-Referendum-in-Numbers-
20171003-0027.html
V. Khan, Mehreen. "The economics of Catalan secession." The Financial Times. 10/6/17.
https://www.ft.com/content/2c4aa308-aa63-11e7-ab55-27219df83c97
VI. Moffett, Matt. "Catalan Academics Press Separatist Drive." The Wall Street Journal.
1/24/17. https://www.wsj.com/articles/catalan-academics-press-separatist-drive-
1390608191
VII. Collin, Katy. "The referendum in Catalonia, explained." The Brookings Institute. 9/29/17.
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2017/09/29/the-referendum-in-
catalonia-explained/#cancel
VIII. "Separatist movements in Europe." Graphic News. 10/24/17.
https://www.graphicnews.com/en/pages/35917/POLITICS-Separatist-movements-in-
Europe
Champion Briefs 47
Pro Arguments with Con Responses January 2018
PRO: Catalonia has a Human Rights Claim for Independence

Argument: The people of Catalonia have a Human Right to claim independence. The right is
grounded in international law and Liberal philosophy, and is rooted in a people’s inherent
freedom to self-determine. Spain is also guilty of human rights violations against the Catalonian
people.

Warrant: The UN gives people the Human Right to self-determine

United Nations “Adopted by General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December
1960.” United Nations Main Documents, 14 December, 1960,
http://www.un.org/en/decolonization/declaration.shtml

“The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a
denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an
impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation. All peoples have the right to
self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and
freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Inadequacy of political,
economic, social or educational preparedness should never serve as a pretext for delaying
independence.

Warrant: The right to self-determination exists when people are denied social and political
freedoms

Cambridge Law Reports, “Questions relating to the Secession of Quebec from Canada”
Cambridge University, 20 August 1998,
http://ebooks.cambridge.org/clr/case.jsf?bid=CBO9781316152447&id=CBO9
781316152447A023

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“In summary, the international law right to self-determination only generates, at best,
a right to external self-determination in situations of former colonies; where a people is
oppressed, as for example under foreign military occupation; or where a definable
group is denied meaningful access to government to pursue their political, economic,
social and cultural development. In all three situations, the people in question are
entitled to a right to external self-determination because they have been denied the
ability to exert internally their right to self-determination. Such exceptional
circumstances are manifestly inapplicable to Quebec under existing circumstances.”

Warrant: Arguments against self-determination in favor of sovereignty are constructed by self-
serving states, not actually grounded in Law or Rights

Mac Weller “Settling Self-determination Conflicts: Recent Developments” European
Journal of International Law, 1 Feb. 2009,
https://academic.oup.com/ejil/article/20/1/111/444727

“International legal rules are made by governments. Governments have an interest in
perpetuating the legitimating myth of statehood based on an exercise of the free will
of the constituents of the state—their own legitimacy depends on it. But while
embracing the rhetoric of free will and self-constituting states, governments have
simultaneously ensured that the legal right to self-determination, at least in the case
of secession, is strictly rationed and cannot ever be invoked against the state they
represent.”

Impact: The right to self-determine is of particular importance to the cannon of Human Rights

Batalla, Anna. “The Right of self-determination – ICCPR and the jurisprudence of the
Human Rights Committee.” Human Rights Committee, 1 Oct. 2006,
http://www.unpo.org/downloads/AnnaBatalla.pdf
Champion Briefs 50

As the Human Rights Committee has expressly declared in its General Comment No.
124, the right of self-determination is of particular importance because its realization
is an essential condition for the effective guarantee and observance of individual
human rights and for the promotion and strengthening of those rights. Article 1 of the
ICCPR can therefore be considered, together with articles 2 to 5 –which constitute part II
of the Covenant- as overarching or structural provisions, in light of which individual
human rights established in part III of the Covenant should be applied

Warrant: The Spanish crackdown on the referendum involved police brutality, an attack on
social and political freedom

“Violence against Catalan voters: what we know so far” The Guardian 1 October 2017,
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/01/violence-against-catalan-
voters-what-we-know-so-far

Although advocates of the vote stressed the right to political self-determination, the
vote was banned by Spain’s constitutional court and millions of ballot papers were
confiscated before the vote. The Spanish interior ministry said 336 voting centres, out
of more than 2,000 across the region, had been closed by local and national police.
Videos show police hitting people in the crowd with batons while voters hold up their
hands, police dragging voters from polling stations by their hair and Spanish police
attacking Catalan firefighters.

Analysis: This argument is strong because it can be persuasively weighed against more
utilitarian arguments your opponent’s might read. Even if secession brings material harms to
the people of Spain of the EU, violations of human rights to self determination demand that a
people be allowed to choose their government for themselves.
Champion Briefs 51
A/2: Catalonia has a Human Rights Claim for Independence

Answer: Self-determination is not a universal human right

Warrant: The maximal right to self-determination as guaranteed by rights can be achieved
internally

“Legal Aspects of Self Determination” The Princeton Encyclopedia of Self Determination
Princeton University. N.d. https://pesd.princeton.edu/?q=node/254

When a more broad interpretation has been sought for the term ‘right to free
determination,’ [from UN GA 1.514] as was the case in the Resolution 1.541 of the UN
General Assembly, which interprets the right to self-determination in the internal scope,
that interpretation has been limited to a demand for the ‘political recognition’ of the
affected people, which translates to the recognition of democratic forms of political
representation, as well as an undetermined autonomy within the State of which they
form a part

Warrant: The bar where sovereignty infringes on self determination is quite high, given past
cases of independence movements

Connolley, Christopher “Independence in Europe.” Duke University, 2 Oct. 2017,
https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1396&context=djc
il

There is little support for the proposition that a right to external self-determination
exists beyond the colonial context. Even the former colonies, having achieved
independence under the banner of self-determination, promptly rejected the notion
that the right might be used to adjust their own borders. At most, only three non-
Champion Briefs 52
colonial territories in the UN Charter era—Bangladesh, Eritrea, and most recently

Kosovo—have successfully seceded without their former parent states’ consent. All
three involved unique circumstances that arguably limit their precedential value.

Analysis: This is a good response because it does not contest that people have some right to
self-determination, but instead qualifies that right in the context of the other obligations that
the international community has. All rights have limits, and it seems as though Catalonia’s
situation falls well short of what is needed to trigger Independence due to lack of self-
determination

Answer: The abuses in Catalonia do not seriously infringe on the average Catalonian’s human
rights

Warrant: The Spanish national government does not exercise much power over Catalonia

Ramon, David “Spanish Regions to Catalonia: Up Yours.” Politico 26 Sept. 2017,
https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-regional-conundrum-catalan-
independence/

On top of that, there’s the question of what extra powers should be given to the
regions. According to the Regional Authority Index, an international database
measuring the degree of decentralization for a number of countries, Spain is the
second most decentralized country in the world, below Germany but above Belgium,
the United States, Switzerland and Canada. The index measures the degree of
decentralization across all territorial levels, including provinces. The research also ranks
individual regions, showing different degrees of autonomy within Spain: Navarre, which
levies its own taxes and then negotiates fiscal transfers bilaterally with Madrid, ranks
first. It is beaten only by Germany’s Länder, the Swiss cantons and the Australian
states, and ranks above Quebec, U.S. states and Scotland.
Champion Briefs 53

Warrant: Kosovo, a peer case of non-colonial secession, only gained independence after much
more massive (non-parallel) human rights abuses

Rice, Condoleezza “U.S. Recognizes Kosovo as Independent State” Department of State,
February 18, 2008, https://2001-
2009.state.gov/secretary/rm/2008/02/100973.htm

“The United States supports the Ahtisaari Plan and will work with its international
partners to help implement it. We welcome the commitments Kosovo made in its
declaration of independence to implement the Ahtisaari Plan, to embrace multi-
ethnicity as a fundamental principle of good governance, and to welcome a period of
international supervision. The unusual combination of factors found in the Kosovo
situation -- including the context of Yugoslavia's breakup, the history of ethnic
cleansing and crimes against civilians in Kosovo, and the extended period of UN
administration -- are not found elsewhere and therefore make Kosovo a special case.
Kosovo cannot be seen as a precedent for any other situation in the world today.”

Analysis: This argument establishes that while there is a right to self-determination, the bar for
Independence is quite high. It is irrational to say that Catalonia faces evils anywhere on par with
Kosovo or Bangladesh in their struggles for Independence.

Champion Briefs 54
PRO: Catalonia has a right to self-determination

Argument: Catalans have a right to political self-determination.

Warrant: Catalonia has long pursued higher levels of autonomy, refusing to relinquish the right
to self-determination.

Desquens, Josep. "Europe's stateless nations in an era of globalization." The Bologna
Center Journal of International Affairs." Spring 2003.
http://www.jhubc.it/bcjournal/articles/desquens.cfm

Current conventional wisdom in the European Union and the United States sees
the issue of secession as something outdated or even dangerous. Mainstream
politicians, diplomats and academics tend to present it as a senseless option at a
moment in history where the focus is building a united Europe and a free-trade world.
The thought of the wars in the former Yugoslavia makes many fear such an option.
However, the situation in Catalonia, Flanders or Scotland is not comparable - these
stateless nations are well-established democratic societies that respect human rights
and free-market economies within the European Union. Thus, Catalans, Flemish or Scots
cannot ignore that full political independence remains a serious option for them. The
desire for secession needs to be objectively analyzed and the costs and benefits
properly weighed.
Many Catalans do not consider themselves Spanish but exclusively Catalan.
Such feelings raise eyebrows in other parts of Spain, Europe and elsewhere, but are
widely accepted as legitimate within Catalonia. The key goal of Catalonia's main
political party, Convergència i Unió (CiU), which has governed the region for more
than twenty years, is to gain higher levels of self-government. It defines itself as
Catalan nationalist (or Catalanist) and frequently refers to the Catalans' right to
Champion Briefs 55
political self-determination. With this party's support, the Catalan Parliament declared
fourteen years ago that it would not renounce this right.

Warrant: Catalonia has long sought independence due to its dark history with Spain.

Desquens, Josep. "Europe's stateless nations in an era of globalization." The Bologna
Center Journal of International Affairs." Spring 2003.
http://www.jhubc.it/bcjournal/articles/desquens.cfm

The Catalan national conscience reemerged in the 19th century, as nationalism
surged throughout Europe. Initially a culturally focused movement that looked back at
the medieval epoch of political glory and cultural and literary richness, it soon
developed into a regionalist movement demanding greater political autonomy. During
the early 20th century before the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939, Catalonia
enjoyed partial self-rule on various occasions and a Catalan Republic within the
Iberian federation was proclaimed twice. However, with Franco's victory in 1939, one
of the darkest periods of Catalan history began.
Gen. Franco's dictatorial regime is key to understanding Catalonia today. While
all Spaniards were victims of Franco's ruthless and institutionalized violation of human
rights, Catalonia suffered a cruel and systematic attempt at cultural annihilation. It
endured repression of individual and collective cultural rights, such as the prohibition
of the use of the Catalan language, the public denial of the Catalan identity and the
punishment for cultural expression.
The arrival of democracy in 1975 initiated a process of recuperation of the
Catalan institutions, culture and language. Today, Catalonia has the highest level of
self-governance that it has enjoyed since the Bourbon dynasty came to power three
centuries ago. The Autonomous Government and Parliament have substantial
responsibilities in areas such as education and culture, its own health care system, its
own police, etc. After Germany and Belgium, Spain is the most decentralized country
Champion Briefs 56
in the European Union, with the Basque Country, Navarre and Catalonia as the most
autonomous regions.

Warrant: International Law overrides the Spanish constitution with regards to secession and
self-determination.

Hehir, Aidan. "Self-determination is legal under international law – and it's hypocritical
to argue otherwise for Catalonia." The Conversation. 10/30/17.
http://theconversation.com/self-determination-is-legal-under-international-law-
its-hypocritical-to-argue-otherwise-for-catalonia-86558

In an ideal world, a region’s secession should take place with the host state’s consent.
If the central government allows a region to initiate a process of self-determination
then of course the issue is relatively straightforward. But allowing a region to initiate a
process does not automatically mean the end result is secession. Referendums on
independence in both Scotland and Quebec resulted in a no vote.
In recent years, a number of states have declared independence with the consent of the
host state – albeit reluctantly given after an initial refusal. These include Slovenia in
1991, East Timor in 2002 and South Sudan in 2011, when the results of a referendum on
independence were eventually accepted by the host state. In a similar vein,
Czechoslovakia peacefully separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993 with
the agreement of both regions.
Clearly, Catalonia is different given the Spanish government’s refusal to allow a
referendum to take place. But this poses a fundamental question: is a host state’s
approval essential if a country is to declare independence? The answer must be no,
because to argue otherwise is contradictory – and clashes both with international law
and common sense.
Article 1.2 of the UN Charter recognises the principle of self-determination – making
this a right which transcends any state’s domestic laws. A fundamental principle of
Champion Briefs 57
international law is that the provisions of a state’s constitution cannot be deemed

inherently legal – they must equate with international law. For example, a constitution
may sanction racial discrimination or genocide, but this is superseded by the
international laws which prohibit both. To claim that a state’s constitution is the sole
determinant on the legality of action taken within that state is to essentially reject the
very idea of international law.

Analysis: The Catalans have refused to relinquish the right to self-determination for a reason;
because it's unfair for a state's constitution to deny such a right. International law clearly states
that domestic laws cannot supersede its rule, implying that Spain's constitutional requirements
for secession are wholly unjust. Given Spain's history with Catalonia, it makes sense why they
feel they deserve the right to independence. As a result, Spain should allow Catalonia to do
what it wants, as is mandated by international law.

Champion Briefs 58
A/2: Catalonia has a right to self-determination

Answer: An absolute right to self-determination is a dangerous precedent.

Warrant: The rule of law should not be at the mercy of popular will.

Stephens, Philip. "Sovreignty and self-determination collide in Catalonia." Financial
Times. 10/5/17. https://www.ft.com/content/47672d08-a8f8-11e7-ab55-
27219df83c97

Most of today’s nations emerged from the dissolution of empires. Nationalisms now
threaten the dissolution of states. The independence movement in Catalonia represents
a collision between what looks like a reasonable demand for national self-determination
and the fact of Spanish state sovereignty. Convenient though it would be to pretend
otherwise, there is right on both sides. One dangerous commonplace — perhaps the
biggest single threat to democratic institutions — is the rising belief that such disputes
can be settled by a simple popular vote. If a majority of Catalans, or any other national
group for that matter, back independence in a referendum the popular will must
prevail. Plebiscites are thus elevated as the purest form of democracy. History records
they are more often a route to authoritarianism — a device of demagogues and
dictators as Britain’s Margaret Thatcher once put it. Liberty rests on the rule of law,
democracy on safeguards for minorities. States cannot be forever at the mercy of
fragmentation. These are not things to be overturned by popular whim.

Warrant: An absolute right to secession would impede on the rights and livelihoods of others.

Stephens, Philip. "Sovreignty and self-determination collide in Catalonia." Financial
Times. 10/5/17. https://www.ft.com/content/47672d08-a8f8-11e7-ab55-
27219df83c97
Champion Briefs 59

Scotland and Crimea sit at opposite ends of a spectrum. The hard cases are found in the
middle, when a seemingly reasonable demand for separation by one region collides with
the rights assumed by citizens of the larger state. Madrid’s post-fascist constitution,
endorsed at its promulgation by the people of Catalonia, invests sovereignty in the
people of Spain. Catalans cannot vote to secede without affecting Spanish citizens in
Castile or Andalusia. There is no magic formula to reconcile these competing
nationalisms. Self-determination, as often as not, is in the eye of the beholder. George
Orwell, who fought in Catalonia on the Republican side during the Spanish civil war, well
understood this. “All nationalists,” he observed, “have the power of not seeing
resemblances between similar sets of facts. A British Tory will defend self-determination
in Europe and oppose it in India with no feeling of inconsistency.”

Analysis: To advocate for a right to Catalonian secession depends upon the notion of a right to
self-determination. This right to self-determination is based on the will of the people, yet it
potentially can be an affront to democracy and the rule of law. A small sect of the population
should not be able to override a state's sovereignty. Furthermore, granting said right to self-
determination would impose costs on other groups, meaning that granting independence
would not be a victimless crime.

Champion Briefs 60
PRO: Spain treats Catalonia like a colony

Argument: Ignoring Catalonia's will is a form of modern colonialism.

Warrant: For around 40 years, the Catalan identity was suppressed by Spain.

"Catalonia Referendum: Who are the Catalans?" Al Jazeera. 10/1/17.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/catalonia-referendum-catalans-
171001083248355.html

Catalan autonomy has been a recurring theme throughout the country's history.
In 1931, when Spain became a republic, Catalonia was given greater political
autonomy within the confines of the state.
However, within a decade following the Spanish Civil War, the region's autonomy was
revoked by the military government of Francisco Franco.
During Franco's rule from 1939-1975, Catalan culture was heavily suppressed. Symbols
of Catalan identity such as the castells, or human towers, were prohibited and parents
were forced to choose Spanish names for their children.
The Catalan language (which is also spoken in Valencia and the Balearic islands) was
restricted, having been banned in public.

Warrant: Catalonians see themselves as captives, the last of Spain's colonial empire.

Badcock, James. "Deposed Catalonian leader Puigdemont continues to defy Madrid as
pro-unity protests take Barcelona. The Telegraph. 10/29/17.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/28/catalonia-independence-madrid-
takes-control-catalan-government/

Champion Briefs 61
“If they stay there, rock solid in their ministry buildings and in parliament, and a sector
of society makes access difficult, it will be complicated for the authorities. Don’t forget
that two million people put their physical safety on the line to go out and vote in the
referendum.”
Eva Casas, a 54-year-old bookseller from Barcelona, recalls what she calls the Spanish
security forces’ “terrorist violence” as they attempted to break up the referendum.
“Today we are a republic. Tomorrow the forces of occupation will try and stop us. We
are Spain’s last colony. Spain doesn’t know us, but they want our territory and our
wealth.
“The police came in to the polling station and we weren’t afraid. People took the blows,
went to hospital and came out in slings to cast their votes. We hope this time that the
European Union will condemn Rajoy and his violence.”

Warrant: Catalonia, as a captive region, deserves the right to self-determination.

The Editorial Board. "Chaos in Catalonia." The New York Times. 10/2/17.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/02/opinion/catalonia-spain-secession.html

The problem was complicated enough before Sunday’s violence. The Catalan regional
government’s unilateral call for a secession referendum highlighted a notoriously
knotty contradiction in global governance, that between the principle of self-
determination and political unity. When empires were breaking up in the last century,
it seemed self-evident to let former colonies and captive nations determine their own
political destinies. But independence struggles and the rise of nationalism have been
continuing sources of conflict since, in places as diverse as Chechnya, Kosovo, the
Basque region, Darfur and Kurdistan. No rules govern the exact balance between
people’s right to determine their political future and the maintenance of existing states
and borders, but something of a consensus has developed against breaking up a state
that is law abiding and respectful of human rights. Though the Catalans were
Champion Briefs 62
suppressed under the Franco dictatorship, Catalonia today cannot claim to be colonized
or oppressed. The region has one of the highest standards of living in Europe along with
considerable political and cultural autonomy. But then, Catalan nationalists would
argue, so did Quebec and Scotland, and they were allowed to hold referendums (and
voted not to secede).

Analysis: While Spain was forced to relinquish many of its colonial territories, Catalonians see
themselves as the last remainder of the Spanish empire. Catalonia is fairly well off, yet they are
not far removed from an era where their language and culture was actively suppressed by the
Spanish government. To put an to end the era of colonialism, Spain must recognize Catalonia's
right to self-determination.

Champion Briefs 63
A/2: Spain treats Catalonia like a colony

Answer: Catalonia is no longer suppressed

Warrant: Catalonia is not currently colonized, occupied, or oppressed.

"Catalonia's unconstitutional means to an undesirable end." The Economist. 9/23/17.
https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21729438-there-are-better-ways-
referendum-address-regions-legitimate-grievances-catalonias

Catalonia, however, hardly counts as colonised, occupied or oppressed. Many
Spaniards worry that its secession could swiftly be followed by that of the Basque
country. If the rule of law is to mean anything, the constitution should be upheld. Mr
Puigdemont should thus step back from his reckless referendum. Opponents are
unlikely to turn out, so any yes vote he obtains will be questionable, not just legally but
politically. That said, by playing cat-and-mouse with ballot boxes Mr Rajoy has
needlessly given Mr Puigdemont a propaganda victory. A big majority of Mr Rajoy’s
voters in the rest of Spain support him in part because he refuses to yield to Catalan
nationalism. But something important is wrong in Spain, and it is his duty to try to fix it.

Impact: International law will not recognize a right to self-determination on the basis of
colonialism.

"Catalonia's unconstitutional means to an undesirable end." The Economist. 9/23/17.
https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21729438-there-are-better-ways-
referendum-address-regions-legitimate-grievances-catalonias

The Spanish constitution, adopted by referendum in 1978—and backed almost
unanimously in Catalonia—proclaims the country’s “indissoluble unity”. It vests
Champion Briefs 64
sovereignty in the Spanish people as a whole, not in the inhabitants of its constituent
parts. The Catalan government claims the right to self-determination. But
international law recognises this only in cases of colonialism, foreign invasion or gross
discrimination and abuse of human rights. These arguably do apply to the Kurds, who
are planning to hold a disputed referendum on secession from Iraq on September 25th
(see article).

Analysis: Catalonians no longer face the same oppression they did under the Franco regime and
have become one of Spain's wealthiest regions. Legally, Catalonia cannot move forward with
independence under Spain's constitutions, meaning that it must demonstrate that it is currently
being oppressed or occupied by a colonial power. Unfortunately for the Catalan, Catalonia's
current situation is unlikely to qualify for a right to self-determination under international law,
which is usually reserved for more extreme situations like that of the Kurds in Iraq.

Champion Briefs 65
PRO: Catalonia will continue to fight

Argument: The Catalan will continue to fight for independence until it is granted.

Warrant: The Catalan independence movement has been around for decades, and is only
getting stronger.

Rubies, Joan-Pau. "The Project of Catalan Independence and the Crisis of the Spanish
Constitution: Personal Notes." The Moore Institute. 10/10/17.
http://mooreinstitute.ie/2017/10/10/project-catalan-independence-crisis-
spanish-constitution-personal-notes/

It is essential to understand that support for Catalan independence was a persistent
but minority position of less than 20% over many decades. The situation has changed
over the last eight years. Although the economic crisis of 2008 may have acted as a
catalyst, the crucial turning point was the successful appeal to the constitutional court
by the conservative Spanish party (Partido Popular), then in opposition, in order to
overturn a new statute of autonomy which had been negotiated over many years
between the Catalan and Spanish parliaments, and afterwards confirmed by means of
a referendum in Catalonia.

Warrant: Catalonia's ruling commission is dedicated to declaring independence.

"Catalonia's ruling coalition committed to declaring independence this week." The
Catalan News. 10/25/17. http://www.catalannews.com/politics/item/catalonia-
s-ruling-coalition-committed-to-declaring-independence-this-week

Catalonia’s ruling coalition is committed to declaring independence this week. Faced
with plans from Madrid that could lead to Catalonia’s loss of autonomy, sources
Champion Briefs 66
confirmed that parties’ intentions after a meeting held on Wednesday lasting more
than two hours are to put into effect the results of the independence referendum held
on October 1.
Members of the pro-independence Together for Yes (JxSi) decided that declaring
independence is a legitimate act of self-defence when faced with the possibility of
Catalonia losing self-rule, and are expected to present their proposal to Catalan
president Carles Puigdemont at Thursday’s much anticipated plenary session in the
Catalan Parliament.
Puigdemont, having declined to appear before the Spanish Senate to explain himself
and his government’s plans, will address the Catalan Parliament on Thursday.

Impact: Puigdemont has vowed that Catalonia is willing to enter a prolonged battle for
independence.

"Deposed Catalan president vows to continue independence fight." The Belfast
Telegraph. 11/7/17. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-
news/deposed-catalan-president-vows-to-continue-independence-fight-
36297527.html

Catalonia's ousted leader has vowed to prolong the fight for independence from Spain
and urged the European Union (EU) to speak out over the jailing of Catalan officials in
a rebellion case. Carles Puigdemont's comments came at a campaign-style rally in
Belgium's capital attended by about 200 mayors from Catalonia who greeted the
deposed president with chants of "president" and "freedom". The mayors raised their
walking sticks, a symbol of mayoral power in Spain, in the air at the end of his speech
and the crowd sang the Catalan anthem. "We will never renounce this ideal of a
country, of this notion of democracy," Mr Puigdemont told the mayors, gathered in a
central Brussels art museum. Flanked by four associates who fled Spain with him, Mr
Puigdemont challenged the Spanish authorities and international community to accept
Champion Briefs 67
the results of a snap Catalan election on December 21 if separatists win. Mr Puigdemont

and his colleagues could face 30 years in jail in Spain on charges of rebellion, sedition
and embezzlement if Belgian justice authorities agree to extradite them. Nine former
Catalan government members have already been sent to jail in Spain. One of them was
released on bail during the investigation.

Analysis: If the Catalan are unwilling to give up, Spain may be facing a very long battle with one
of its wealthiest regions. The Catalan independence movement has been around for decades,
and is only growing stronger as the Spanish government continues to disregard the will of the
region. It's unlikely that the independence movement will concede defeat, meaning that if
Madrid decides not to grant Catalonia its independence, it could potentially be facing an
extremely long and arduous fight. Inevitably, it seems, Spain will have to grant Catalonia its
independence one way or another.

Champion Briefs 68
A/2: Catalonia will continue to fight

Answer: The independence movement can't go on forever.

Warrant: Catalonia's president is facing over 30 years in prison and has been forced out of the
country.

Casert, Raf. "Failing at home, Catalan leader takes his fight to Europe. The Chicago
Tribune. 10/31/17. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-
catalonia-carles-puigdemont-brussels-20171031-story.html

Facing possible criminal charges at home that could put him behind bars for decades,
ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont took his bid for independence from Spain to
the heart of Europe on Tuesday, attempting to portray his secessionist movement as
persecuted underdogs who deserve international backing in their fight against
Madrid.
A Spanish judge, meanwhile, ordered Puigdemont and the rest of his ousted Cabinet
to appear for questioning later this week as part of a rebellion probe. Whether they
appear or not, the judge is likely to decide as soon as Friday on whether to issue arrest
warrants.
In a high-profile appearance before international media in the Belgian capital,
Puigdemont kept up his defiant tone against the Spanish government's relentless efforts
to thwart his secession ambitions. His unannounced trip underscored that his path to
success is being blocked by the law in Spain, and he conceded ground to the Spanish
government, agreeing to take part in an early regional election called for Dec. 21.

Argument: Internal strife has hampered the independence movement.

Warrant: Many within the independence movement disagree over how to achieve their goals.
Champion Briefs 69

Casert, Raf. "Failing at home, Catalan leader takes his fight to Europe. The Chicago
Tribune. 10/31/17. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-
catalonia-carles-puigdemont-brussels-20171031-story.html

In the coastal Catalan town of Vilanova i La Geltru, south of Barcelona, separatists were
as determined as ever, despite the legal setbacks.
"I want to say that we are with him. And the sad thing is that in order to be safe, he had
to go to Brussels," Jordi Trillas, a local cafe owner, said of Puigdemont.
Another resident, Sergio Cabrera, also said he continued to support the ousted Catalan
leader. "He followed his line," Cabrera said. "The issue is to see whether they hear him
or not."
Puigdemont's Brussels trip raised some eyebrows among his political allies, who said
they were kept in the dark about it. Pro-independence parties in Catalonia have long
been riven by squabbling over how best to achieve their goal.
The ousted regional minister for business, Santi Vila, who belongs to the separatist
Democratic Party of Catalonia which Puigdemont leads and where she is regarded as a
moderate, said nobody in the party leadership knew about the Brussels plan.
"Separatism is legitimate, but it must be defended within the law," Vila told La Sexta
television. "We have to recover our serenity. We wanted to take Catalonia to the
gates of independence, but we have returned it to a period before it had any self-
governance."

Analysis: Catalonia has been fighting for its independence for many decades now, but little
substantial progress has been made. With their leader now in exile, facing over 30 years in a
Spanish prison if convicted, it will be difficult for Catalonia to coordinate resistance.
Furthermore, many Catalonians do not agree with the direction the independence movement is
going, making it even more likely that splinter groups appear within the movement, causing its
inevitable demise.
Champion Briefs 70
PRO: Catalonian independence will inspire greater

independence movements

Argument: Catalonian independence will inspire nations to secede from host states.

Warrant: Secessionists in Brazil have been inspired to fight for independence due to the
struggle in Catalonia.

Iglesias, Simone Preissler. “Catalan Vote Inspires Brazil's Southern Separatist Movement.”
Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 4 Oct. 2017,
www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-04/catalan-vote-inspires-brazil-s-
southern-separatist-movement.

“Inspired by the separatist vote in Catalonia, secessionists in three wealthy southern
Brazilian states are redoubling their efforts to break away from the crisis-battered
nation. Residents of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Parana states are being called
to vote in an informal plebiscite on Oct. 7 on whether they want independence.
Organizers are also urging residents of the three states to sign a legislative proposal for
each of their regional assemblies that would call for a formal, binding referendum. The
non-profit group "The South is My Country" aims to mobilize a million voters in 900 out
of the region’s 1,191 cities.”

Warrant: Other countries across the world are watching the actions of the Catalonians.

Amy Maguire Senior Lecturer in International Law and Human Rights, University of
Newcastle, and Georgia Monaghan Research Assistant, University of Newcastle.
“As Spain Represses Catalonia's Show of Independence, the Rest of Europe
Watches on Nervously.” The Conversation, 7 Dec. 2017,
Champion Briefs 71
theconversation.com/as-spain-represses-catalonias-show-of-independence-the-
rest-of-europe-watches-on-nervously-84463.

“Spain is the only major country in Western Europe to refuse recognition to Kosovo as an
independent country. Spain’s insistence that unilateral secession cannot be permitted for
Kosovo is intertwined with its determination not to lose Catalonia. Self-determination can
be realised in a range of ways, including through forms of autonomy within a nation-state.
It may be that a negotiated arrangement that would preserve Spain’s sovereignty over
Catalonia would still be possible. However, by meeting Sunday’s assertion of self-
determination with repression, Spain has undoubtedly fuelled Catalonia’s determination
to establish an independent state. Other EU member nations, including the UK, will be
watching with concern that Catalonia may inspire separatist movements in Scotland,
Bavaria and Flanders”

Warrant: There are a ton of separatist movements across the world.

Oliphant, Vickiie. “Catalonia Independence: The Regions across Europe That Could Be
NEXT to Gain Sovereignty.” Express.co.uk, Express.co.uk, 7 Oct. 2017,
www.express.co.uk/news/world/863323/Catalonia-referendum-independence-
Catalan-Spain-regions-Europe-separatist-movement.

“There are currently more than 100 secessionist movements across the globe,
including four in the Philippines, eight in Myanmar, and several in Africa. And there
dozens more across Europe, with separatist movements ranging from small towns to
entire regions all vying for a dramatic split from their respective administrations.
Reasons for wanting their freedoms also vary widely across the continent, including
issues from language and cultural differences to economic and historical rows.”

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Warrant: The movement has already inspired other movements across Spain.

“What Catalonia's Vote for Independence Means for Europe.” Time, Time,
time.com/4102619/what-catalonias-vote-for-independence-means-for-europe/.

“Catalonia’s very public and aggressive movement towards independence could also send
shockwaves beyond Spain into greater Europe. Some are concerned that a strong, highly
publicized Catalan movement could ignite similar bids for secession in regions of Italy, Belgium,
Germany and the United Kingdom, where a referendum for independence in Scotland failed in
September of last year. Already, the Catalonian movement seems to have inspired a coalition
of separatist parties in the Basque country, another semi-autonomous region in Spain, to
submit a bill to their local parliament to give Basque citizens the ability to decide their future,
which could include independence. In a statement on Nov. 3rd, a spokesman for one of the
separatist parties referred to Catalonia’s movement several times.”

Impact: Separatism has its benefits for independent nations.

Valaskakis, Kimon. “Separatism Everywhere : The New Global Epidemic.” The Huffington
Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Mar. 2014, www.huffingtonpost.com/kimon-
valaskakis/separatism-everywhere-the_b_4977800.html.

“The first is a knee jerk reaction against excessive and unregulated globalization which leaves
the ordinary citizen lost and with no identity. He therefore seeks a new sense of belongingness
in a small, newly independent country, favoring localism over globalism. The second is the fact
that most so called ‘nation’ states are actually multinational and diverse. The ethnic minorities
which feel oppressed in such states, are tempted to seek a divorce, set up their own nation,
where they are will then be the majority — and perhaps, in the process, exact revenge on their
former tormentors, now in the minority. The third is the worldwide failure of national
governments, who seem to be chronically unable to deliver on their electoral promises. One
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response is to ‘throw the rascals out’, which explains why governments of the left, right and
center are regularly kicked out of office at the next election. In the U.S., an irate electorate
consistently punishes the governing parry at the mid-terms regardless of its ideology.”

Analysis: This argument allows for you to argue for the success and benefits of independence
movements across all borders. By affecting the entire globe, you affect more individuals than
your opponents. You also impact to a larger magnitude as you affect global stability rather than
just regional security.

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A/2: Catalonian independence will inspire greater

independence movements.
Answer: Independence movements threaten EU stability.

Warrant: Less countries in the EU means the organization will not be as economically stable.

“What Catalonia's Vote for Independence Means for Europe.” Time, Time,
time.com/4102619/what-catalonias-vote-for-independence-means-for-europe.

“Such movements threaten the stability of the European Union, which has already been
weakened in recent years over the economic crisis, fiscal problems in Greece, the
looming possibility that Britain might leave the E.U., and disagreements over the mass
migration of refugees from the Middle East. Muñiz says that the splintering of nation
states threatens the very nature of the European project itself, which formed in part to
redirect the nationalism that led to the Second World War.”

Impact: Catalonian secession would further divide the European Union, making Russia stronger.

Montesanti, Edu, et al. “US Senate Claims Russian Influence in Catalonia.” News |
TeleSUR English, 4 Nov. 2017, www.telesurtv.net/english/news/US-Senate-
Claims-Russian-Influence-in-Catalonia-20171104-0004.html.

“In an opinion piece titled “Catalonia held a referendum. Russia won.” that was published
in the Washington Post, the Post’s editorial board claimed that “the Catalan nationalists’
only backers are separatist-ruled Scotland, the pariah government of Venezuela and
Russia’s intelligence and propaganda apparatus.” “Moscow evidently perceives the
Champion Briefs 75
Catalan movement as another vehicle for dividing and weakening the democratic
West.”Despite allegations, the U.S. Senate and media critics have provided no tangible
evidence of Russian influence in Catalonia’s secessionist movement”

Analysis: Focus on how an independent Catalonia will affect the European Union’s stability. There
are reasons that international organizations exist. It is because they are integral to international
stability and security.

Answer: Separatism harms global stability.

Warrant: Secession poses a threat to global stability.

Fearon, James. “Separatist Wars, Partition, and World Order .” Stanford Journal, 2 Feb.
2011. https://web.stanford.edu/group/fearon-research/cgi-bin/wordpress/wp-
content/uploads/2013/10/Separatist-Wars-Partition-and-World-Order.pdf

“To concede to minorities, either of language or religion, or to any fractions of a
population the right of withdrawing from the community to which they belong, because
it is their good wish or pleasure, would be to destroy order and stability within States
and to inaugurate anarchy in international life; it would be to uphold a theory
incompatible with the very idea of the State as a territorial and political unity”

Impact: Secession leads to violence.

Sirokey, David. “Secession and Survival: Nations, States and Violent Conflict.” Duke
University,2009,
pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c637/60e3f257bf10372e8949bb5716920d5d843b.pdf.

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“In total, approximately 30% of secessionist cases averted recursive secessionist

violence during the period under observation. Several of these ‘’peaceful’ cases
experienced other forms of instability, such as coups, riots or militarized interstate
disputes, which are not included unless they assumed a significant recursive
secessionist component. The number of secessionist states that avoided all these forms
of violent conflict is only about one-fifth. Considering other forms of violent conflict
unconditional on the occurrence of recursive secession, we see similar patterns: 51%
experienced militarized interstate disputes (MID) with the rump state within the first
twenty years after separation, either as targets and initiators; 53% were involved in an
international crisis event (ICB); and 63% experienced at least one violent riot within ten
years of independence.3”

Analysis: Violence and instability spreads across borders and can negatively affect many
countries, not just Catalonia. Voting for separatism may devastate not only a single country but
also negatively affect an entire region.

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PRO: Catalonian state will provide more benefits to

Catalonians
Argument: By establishing an independent Catalonian state, the country of Catalonia will be

able to provide substantial benefits to its people.

Warrant: Catalonian state would generate a lot of money for the people in the area instead of
it going to the entire country of Spain.

Torres, Diego. “Why Some Catalans Want to Break Away from Spain.” POLITICO,
POLITICO, 14 Sept. 2017, www.politico.eu/article/why-catalans-want-to-break-
away-from-spain/.

“Catalan unionist forces, as well as the Spanish government, accuse the separatists of
feeding the people with lies and a constant stream of distorted facts aimed at reinforcing
a Catalan sense of victimization at the hands of Spaniards. They haven’t been able to fully
combat those perceptions, real or imaginary, on the ground. Towering above all else is
the economy. Catalonia has 16 percent of the country’s population and generates 20
percent of its gross domestic product. “All the money and all the taxes that flow to the
Spanish government will stay in [an independent] Catalonia,” said Ana Martí
Benavente, a 78-year-old Barcelona pensioner. “It’s like a son who wants to leave home
but is the one bringing in the money. And of course the parents don’t want him to
leave.”

Warrant: Catalonia could attract businesses just by being independent.

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McRae, Hamish. “Catalonia Could Be an Extremely Successful Economy and EU Member

State.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 28 Oct. 2017,
www.independent.co.uk/voices/catalonia-spain-independence-vote-economy-
population-location-trade-currency-a8025051.html.

“A final point: Catalonia has brand recognition. Brand is an intangible advantage, but
can be deployed to leverage other economic advantages. Ireland is a fine example of
that, using its brand (and its educated workforce) to make it a base for high-tech
American companies seeking to enter the European market. On its own, Catalonia
could be nimble in attracting business, and consequently creating jobs, than it has
been as part of Spain.”

Warrant: An independent Catalonia could improve the government institutions that currently
exist in Catalonia.

Guardian. “Would Catalonia Be Better as an Independent Nation?” The Guardian,
Guardian News and Media, 20 Nov. 2012,
www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/20/readers-panel-independent-
catalonia-spain.

“An independent Catalonia would be better providing its new leaders take the
opportunity to make a well overdue restructuring and modernisation of all legislative
and judicial departments which at the moment depend on the central government. The
endless bureaucracy involved in many areas of public administration is still a vestige of
Franco, with no signs of any central government improving this. It takes months to set up
a new company, whereas elsewhere it takes a day. The judicial system is exasperatingly
clogged and slow, making it impossible for people to believe in it - the Prestige case has
taken ten years to come to court. The Catalan health service is recognised as the best in
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Spain but the cost of running it is pushed up by its being used by people from the rest
of the country.”

Warrant: An independent Catalonia could provide infrastructure and much needed
economic policies to the Catalonian people.

Guardian. “Would Catalonia Be Better as an Independent Nation?” The Guardian,
Guardian News and Media, 20 Nov. 2012,
www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/20/readers-panel-independent-
catalonia-spain.

“'Catalonia would no longer be a support fund for the rest of Spain' If Catalonia becomes
independent and that process is led by the current CiU government, then judging by the
policies they have implemented over the last two years we can expect a skeleton welfare
state, big tax breaks for foreign multinationals, public funds to pay off the private debts
of banks and a close relationship with the unionist PP on most economic and social issues.
This is not the change that many Catalans who want to be part of an independent state
are looking for, though and the advantages are clear if the left leaning social majority here
can take political control: Catalonia would no longer become a support fund for the rest
of Spain, resources could be used to improve the country's infrastructures and much
cultural and economic energy would be released in the euphoria of independence. At a
stroke we could rid ourselves of the dysfunctional monarchy, the bastions of reaction that
are the army and the Spanish Church and the insidious influence of the right wing Madrid
media.”

Analysis: The country of Catalonia ought to provide benefits to its people as per the social
contract, they have an obligation to their people first. Because of this it is more important that
the people of Catalonia benefit economically than it is for the people of Spain.
Champion Briefs 80
A/2: Catalonian state will provide more benefits to

Catalonians
Answer: An independent state would lead to economic harms.

Warrant: The economy of Catalonia will have trouble succeeding due to obstacles of trade, by
financial problems, by the spending needs of the new state.

Bosch, Sofia. “Spain's Economy Losing Catalonia Would Be like the US Losing California
and Florida Combined.” CNBC, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2017,
www.cnbc.com/2017/09/21/heres-how-bad-economically-a-spain-catalonia-
split-could-really-be.html.

“The short-term outcomes of separation would be negative for both parties, according
to Alain Cuenca, an economics professor at the University of Zaragoza in Spain. "The
establishment of a border would result in a loss of jobs, income and wealth for
everybody, whether they live in Catalonia or in the rest of Spain," Cuenca told CNBC via
email. "Those losses would be provoked by the obstacles to trade, by financial
problems, by the spending needs of the new state." While Catalans only account for
about 16 percent of the Spanish population, Catalonia makes a hefty contribution to the
overall Spanish economy, making 223.6 billion euros ($262.96 billion) a year, according to
the regional government. This is around 20 percent of its total gross domestic product
(GDP). Larger than the contribution that California makes to the whole United States.”

Warrant: The instability of an independent Catalonian state will likely lead to a reduction in
tourism.

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Press, Ciaran Giles Associated. “Political Crisis Harms Spain's Tourism Economy: Travel
Weekly.” Travel Weekly- The Travel Industry's Trusted Voice, 29 Oct. 2017,
www.travelweekly.com/Europe-Travel/Political-crisis-harms-Spain-tourism-
economy.

“"Domestic political unrest almost always deters visitors and that is what we are seeing
now -- a 22% collapse in international flight bookings for Catalonia," said ForwardKeys
CEO Olivier Jager. "This will also have a knock-on to other parts of Spain because many
visitors arriving in Catalonia will travel around the country. If the political crisis worsens,
I fear we will see a further decline in bookings. This trend will be of great concern because
travel and tourism represents such a large proportion of the Spanish economy."

Analysis: Rather than improving the economy, it is more likely Catalonia will be negatively
affected if they secede from the country of Spain. Impacting to the Catalonian people is extremely
important as the Catalonian government is supposed to work in the interests of their people.

Answer: Catalonian secession will devastate the Spanish economy.

Warrant: Catalonia is integral to the economic success of Spain because that is where most
industry is located.

Jazeera, Al. “Can Spain's Economy Survive a Catalan Secession?” News | Al Jazeera, Al
Jazeera, 30 Sept. 2017, www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/spain-economy-
survive-catalan-secession-170930163702214.html.

“If independence were to happen, Spain's economy ministry claims that Catalonia
would leave the European Union, its GDP would fall 25 to 30 percent and
unemployment would double. But some economists believe that the newly formed
republic would stay in the EU, predicting its GDP would remain stable in the short term
Champion Briefs 82
and rise seven percent long term. Catalonia's government also says the region would no
longer suffer from what it calls a "fiscal deficit", given that the region pays more in taxes
to Madrid than it gets back. The regional executive says this deficit is around 16 billion
euro, or eight percent of Catalonia's GDP and the central government, with a different
methodology, estimates it to be 10 billion euro, or five percent of regional GDP.”

Warrant: Catalonia secession creates uncertainty for investors so they are likely and have been
recently withdrawing funds from companies in Spain. This is why the government reduced its
economic growth forecast.

Minder, Raphael. “Crisis in Catalonia: The Independence Vote and Its Fallout.” The New
York Times, The New York Times, 26 Sept. 2017,
www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/world/europe/spain-catalonia-
referendum.html.

“The constitutional crisis is sowing jitters. Investors have been withdrawing funds and
significantly raising the risk premium they demand for holding Spanish and Catalan
debt. . In October, the government reduced its forecast for national economic growth
in 2018 to 2.3 percent from 2.6 percent. Since the referendum, more than 2000
companies, including CaixaBank and Sabadell, have moved their legal headquarters
outside Catalonia. The corporate concerns also stem from the big question of whether
Catalonia would be allowed to become a member state of the European Union and use
the euro. That issue is complicated by the fact that the most radical Catalan separatist
party wants nothing to do with the currency.”

Analysis: Because the Spanish economy has so many more people than the country of Catalonia,
it is more important focus on the Spanish people as many more of them would be negatively
affected in a world where Catalonia actually secedes.
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PRO: Preventing Catalonian Secession empowers Russia
Argument: Putin is using the crisis in Catalonia to empower its regime and make democracy seem
week. If Catalonia were to secede the crisis would end.

Warrant: Russia wants the Catalonian crisis to continue

Hannam, Keshia. “Russia 'Pushed Fake News' in Catalonian Independence Fight.”
Fortune, 10 Nov. 2017, fortune.com/2017/11/10/russian-role-catalonia-
independence/.

“The European Union has voiced concerns that Russia has pushed propaganda aimed
at destabilizing Spain during the Catalonian independence crisis. Victor Bostinaru, vice
chair of the Social Democratic group in the European Parliament and Romanian MEP,
said on Thursday he had evidence that the Russians had interfered in the Catalan crisis,
as reported by the Daily Telegraph. A specialist EU team that detects and counters
Russian cyberattacks, the East Stratcom Task Force, has reported an increase in
campaigns aimed at aggravating the crisis, in what is a clear echo of the charges made
against Russia in the U.S. election campaign last year, and the French and German
election campaigns this year. Reports have also suggested recently that Russian media
also used similar tactics in the U.K. during its Brexit referendum (and the Scottish
independence referendum in 2014). The common thread that runs through all is the aim
of deepening divides within countries that are members of NATO, Russia’s traditional
bogeyman, and the EU.”

Warrant: Putin’s regime used zombie accounts to egg on the crisis in Catalonia.

Champion Briefs 84
Palmer, Ellis. “Spain Catalonia: Did Russian 'Fake News' Stir Things up?” BBC News, BBC,
18 Nov. 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41981539.

“Prof Javier Lesaca at George Washington University in the United States analysed more
than five million shared social media messages from Kremlin-backed news platforms such
as RT and Sputnik between 29 September and 5 October. He said his research had led him
to "the discovery of an entire army of zombie accounts that are perfectly coordinated."
Of the accounts studied, 30% were anonymous and dedicated to spreading content from
those news organisations. Only 3% were real profiles. The study says RT and Sputnik
participated in a "deliberate disruption strategy" over Catalonia. Headlines used
emotive language to draw readers in, focusing on Spanish police violence against those
who sought to vote in Catalonia's "illegal" referendum.”

Warrant: The Russian’s actions help discredit the legitimacy of the Spanish government and
cast doubt over European democratic systems.

Scott, Mark, and Diego Torres. “Catalan Referendum Stokes Fears of Russian Influence.”
POLITICO, POLITICO, 30 Sept. 2017, www.politico.eu/article/russia-catalonia-
referendum-fake-news-misinformation/.

In recent weeks, Russian state-backed news organizations and automated social
network accounts, known as bots, have aggressively promoted digital misinformation
and outright fake news about the politically charged vote planned for Sunday, according
to an analysis of recent online activity. The efforts — aimed at discrediting Spanish
political and legal authorities that are trying to clamp down on the Catalan
government’s attempt to hold the outlawed referendum — follows similar digital
misinformation campaigns during Europe’s season of elections in 2017. These online
activities are intended to cast doubt over Europe’s democratic processes at a time of
heightened tensions between the EU and Russia, experts warn.
Champion Briefs 85

Impact: By creating a crisis in Catalonia, the Russian government hopes to destabilize the
European Union.

Parfitt, Tom. “Catalonia Crisis: Russian Hackers 'Fuel Independence Drive in Bid to
DESTROY THE EU'.” Express.co.uk, Express.co.uk, 12 Nov. 2017,
www.express.co.uk/news/world/878675/Russia-Catalonia-crisis-independence-
Spain-Moscow-Vladimir-Putin-Kremlin.

“Spain's Defence Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal added: "Many messages and
operations that were seen via social networks come from Russian territory. "And I use
the correct expression: from Russian territory. That's not to say necessarily that we have
determined that it is the Russian government. "As such, we must act with extreme
caution. We have to be clear on the origins. "They are partly from Russian territory,
partly from elsewhere, also outside the EU. We are determining this at the current
time." Spain's Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis also said there was evidence of activity by
"Russian networks and hackers". He told a Spanish radio station on Friday: "They're not
exclusively aimed against Spain, but it's a manner of destabilising the EU." And
People's Party MEP Esteban Gonzalez Pons said "the focus for achieving this objective
has been put on Catalonia".

Impact: A weaker European Union allows Russia to have a greater sphere of influence.

McFadyen, Siobhan. “Putin Wants to Break up Europe! Brussels Bureaucrat Says Russia
Wants to Be in Charge.” Express.co.uk, Express.co.uk, 1 Apr. 2017,
www.express.co.uk/news/world/786649/Vladimir-Putin-Brussels-EU-Break-Up-
Populism.

Champion Briefs 86
“Mr Timmermans is of the opinion that Europe is divided due to the actions of Mr Putin
rather than the bloc's own actions towards citizens. Marine Le Pen met Mr Putin in
Moscow last week just a month before the first round of the election. Mr Putin has also
been developing closer ties with bloc members including Hungary where their Prime
Minister recently took down EU flags. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed
Mr Putin to Budapest last month. Mr Timmermans told lawmakers in Spain: “There is a
reason why Mr Putin supports the extreme right all across Europe. “Because he knows
the extreme right makes us weak, he knows the extreme right divides us. “And a divided
Europe means that Putin is the boss".”

Analysis: Rather than just impacting to the small country of Catalonia, this argument allows you
to have global implications and talk about how the crisis occurring in the status quo is affecting
geopolitics. Make sure you explain that outweighing on scope means you are impacting to a
greater amount of individuals than your opponents.
Champion Briefs 87
A/2: Preventing Catalonian Secession empowers Russia
Answer: Catalonian secession would allow Russia to have international precedent and legitimacy
to take Crimea and parts of Ukraine.

Warrant: Putin does not want to just egg on the crisis but if Catalonia secession is possible, his
regime will be able to convince the international community that Crimea is Russian territory.

Gregory, Paul Roderick. “How Russia Is Playing Catalonia To Get A Reprieve On Crimea.”
Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 16 Oct. 2017,
www.forbes.com/sites/paulroderickgregory/2017/10/16/how-russia-is-playing-
catalonia-to-get-a-reprieve-on-crimea/#3357e5a2603c.

“Among Russia’s biggest headaches is the widespread condemnation of its annexation of
Crimea in March of 2014. Vladimir Putin still smarts from the November 2016
International Criminal Court (ICC) finding that “there exists a sensible or reasonable
justification for a belief that a crime [my italics] falling within the jurisdiction of the Court
‘has been or is being committed’” within the Crimean and Donbas territories of Ukraine.
Upon issuance of this finding, an irate Russia withdrew from the ICC. Sanctions continue
to threaten persons and companies associated with the Crimean takeover. United Nations
investigators have documented evidence of arbitrary detentions, torture, abductions, and
political murder in occupied Crimea. Putin sees in the Catalonian referendum an
opportunity to convince the European Union, NATO, and the UN that it is time to
recognize that Crimea belongs to Russia and to let bygones be bygones. After all,
business and political interests in Europe are getting restive. They contend that, after
almost four years, it is time to return to “business as usual” with Russia.“

Champion Briefs 88
Analysis: Russia cares much more about just creating a crisis in Europe. The creation of a
Catalonian state would allow them to have justifications to break away pieces if Ukraine and keep
the territory of Crimea.

Answer: A more divided European Union means a stronger Russia.

Warrant: Catalonian secession would further divide the European Union.

Montesanti, Edu, et al. “US Senate Claims Russian Influence in Catalonia.” News |
TeleSUR English, 4 Nov. 2017, www.telesurtv.net/english/news/US-Senate-
Claims-Russian-Influence-in-Catalonia-20171104-0004.html.

In an opinion piece titled “Catalonia held a referendum. Russia won.” that was published
in the Washington Post, the Post’s editorial board claimed that “the Catalan nationalists’
only backers are separatist-ruled Scotland, the pariah government of Venezuela and
Russia’s intelligence and propaganda apparatus.” “Moscow evidently perceives the
Catalan movement as another vehicle for dividing and weakening the democratic
West.” Despite allegations, the U.S. Senate and media critics have provided no tangible
evidence of Russian influence in Catalonia’s secessionist movement

Impact: A weaker European Union allows Russia to have a greater sphere of influence.

McFadyen, Siobhan. “Putin Wants to Break up Europe! Brussels Bureaucrat Says Russia
Wants to Be in Charge.” Express.co.uk, Express.co.uk, 1 Apr. 2017,
www.express.co.uk/news/world/786649/Vladimir-Putin-Brussels-EU-Break-Up-
Populism.

“Mr Timmermans is of the opinion that Europe is divided due to the actions of Mr Putin
rather than the bloc's own actions towards citizens. Marine Le Pen met Mr Putin in
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Moscow last week just a month before the first round of the election. Mr Putin has also
been developing closer ties with bloc members including Hungary where their Prime
Minister recently took down EU flags. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed
Mr Putin to Budapest last month. Mr Timmermans told lawmakers in Spain: “There is a
reason why Mr Putin supports the extreme right all across Europe. “Because he knows
the extreme right makes us weak, he knows the extreme right divides us. “And a divided
Europe means that Putin is the boss".”

Analysis: Vladimir Putin’s goal is to weaken the European Union, by allowing for Catalonia to
secede, the EU weakens and Russia increases its strength. This is because it sends a message to
the international community that being European Union may not be entirely desirable.

Champion Briefs 90
PRO: Foreign intervention in Catalonia
Argument: If Spain allows the situation in Catalonia to fester, international bodies may step in.

Warrant: Catalonia has called for the international community to assist them.

Jones, Sam. "Catalan leader calls for mediation with Spain over independence." The
Guardian. 10/2/17. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/02/catalan-
government-emergency-meeting-spain-independence

The Catalan president has called for international help in tackling its independence
dispute with Spain, saying Europe cannot continue to ignore the issue after almost 900
people were injured during the police crackdown on the referendum.
“The European commission must encourage international mediation,” Carles
Puigdemont said on Monday. “It cannot look the other way any longer.”
At least 893 people and 33 police officers were reported to have been hurt on Sunday
after riot police stormed polling stations, dragging out voters and firing rubber bullets
into crowds.
Puigdemont’s government has claimed that 90% of those who took part voted for
independence, but the Catalan leader’s call for mediation could suggest a shift in
strategy as he had previously said that independence would be declared within 48 hours
of a victory for the yes campaign.

Warrant: European leaders are already stepping in to support Catalonia.

Champion Briefs 91
Serhan, Yasmin. "Catalonia is becoming Europe's problem." The Atlantic. 11/2/17.

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/11/how-catalonia-
became-europes-problem/544622/

The speculation wasn’t unwarranted. Madrid charged Puigdemont and other members
of his government Monday with rebellion, sedition, and misuse of public funds—the
first charge alone carries up to a 30-year sentence. The charges, paired with an
apparent invitation by Belgian Immigration Minister Theo Francken for the Catalan
leader to seek asylum in Brussels and Puigdemont’s recent hiring of a Belgian human-
rights lawyer, appeared to suggest he might be intending to pursue independence in
exile (this speculation was fueled even further by Puigdemont’s web address, which
changed from president.cat to president.exili.edu).
When asked about the rumors during the press conference, however, Puigdemont said
he had different reasons for choosing the city. “I am here in Brussels as the capital of
Europe,” he said during his trilingual address (delivered in Spanish, Catalan, and
French) noting that the crisis in Catalonia “is a European issue, and I want Europe to
react.”

Impact: The United States, or another state, could force Spain's hand.

Resina, Joan Ramon. "America will help Catalonia win independence. The Hill. 10/12/17.
http://thehill.com/opinion/international/355120-american-influence-will-help-
catalonia-win-independence

The United States was the first government to recognize Franco’s regime after World
War II, and it maintains various forms of cooperation with Spain, including a strategic
military presence. The United States has no incentive to rock that relationship, but it
has enormous leverage, which in the past it has used at various times, as it did to
Champion Briefs 92
ensure Spain’s decolonization of the Western Sahara in 1975, to reverse Spain’s decision
to opt out of NATO in 1982, and to enroll Spain in the 2003 Iraq war.
The United States could again use its influence to prevent a violent crackdown on
defenseless Catalans and even to sponsor a negotiation between the parts that takes
its cue not from a restrictive constitution interpreted by a partisan set of government-
appointed judges, but from respect for the will of Catalans and their recognition as
political subjects.
In its political DNA, the United States encoded long ago a declaration of independence
against an oppressive legality. Our constitution enshrines the belief that all men are
entitled to the pursuit of happiness, which must be understood to include the
protection of their political rights. The fathers of the American Constitution considered
these principles to be based on reason and hence to be more permanent than the
accidental lines circumscribing the power of states on the world’s political map.

Analysis: If Spain does nothing, there is a chance that Catalonia will still be able to achieve
independence with the assistance of a powerful international ally. Most of Spain's international
partners are likely not willing to intervene, but Catalonia's leaders are calling for other nations
to step in. If an international actor is forced to intervene, Spain loses all the leverage that it has
in its negotiations with Catalonia, and its relationship with one of its most important allies,
potentially even the United States, could be permanently damaged.

Champion Briefs 93
A/2: Foreign intervention in Catalonia
Argument: International actors do not want to condone separatism.

Warrant: European leaders have condemned the actions of the Catalan.

Reilhec, Gilbert. "'It's time to talk:' EU again urges dialogue in Spain." Reuters. 10/4/17.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-timmermans/its-
time-to-talk-eu-again-urges-dialogue-in-spain-idUSKBN1C91VA

In the afternoon debate, leaders of the main parties in the Strasbourg chamber
broadly echoed Timmermans’ arguments. Few of Europe’s leaders want to see the
disruption of splitting a major member state nor to encourage separatism in other
countries.
The center-right leader, the Bavarian Manfred Weber, and the liberal leader, the
Flemish Guy Verhofstadt, both referred to their own origins to argue that strong
regional identity and autonomy did not mean breaking up existing nation states.
“The irresponsible Catalan government is splitting the country,” said Weber, an ally of
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and of Rajoy. He said the EU had neither the will nor
the means to intercede.
Some lawmakers, however, said Brussels could to more to help

Argument: International actors won't intervene, fearing they may cause chaos.

Warrant: The E.U. hopes Spain can resolve the issue internally.

Champion Briefs 94
Boffey, Daniel. "EU intervention in Catalonia would cause chaos, Juncker says." The
Guardian. 10/13/17. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/13/eu-
intervention-in-catalonia-would-cause-chaos-juncker-says

The president of the European commission has spoken of his regret at Spain’s failure
to follow his advice and do more to head off the crisis in Catalonia, but claimed that
any EU intervention on the issue now would only cause “a lot more chaos”.
Speaking to students in Luxembourg on Friday, Jean-Claude Juncker said he had told
the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, that his government needed to act to stop
the Catalan situation spinning out of control, but that the advice had gone unheeded.
“For some time now I asked the Spanish prime minister to take initiatives so that
Catalonia wouldn’t run amok,” he said. “A lot of things were not done.”
Juncker said that while he wished to see Europe remain united, his hands were tied
when it came to Catalan independence.
“People have to undertake their responsibility,” he said. “I would like to explain why
the commission doesn’t get involved in that. A lot of people say: ‘Juncker should get
involved in that.’

“We do not do it because if we do … it will create a lot more chaos in the EU. We
cannot do anything. We cannot get involved in that.”
Juncker said that while he often acted as a negotiator and facilitator between member
states, the commission could not mediate if calls to do so came only from one side – in
this case, the Catalan government.

Analysis: Many countries are upset by the Spanish government's response to Catalonia's cries
for independence, but most of them find it much more advantageous to not intervene. Spain is
an important ally for the U.S and most of the E.U, meaning that supporting the independence
movement would not be a savvy political move. Furthermore, Europe in particular fears the
potential chaos that could arise if an international actor chose to intervene in a state like Spain,
making it incredibly unlikely that any major power becomes directly involved in Catalonia's
independence movement.

Champion Briefs 95
PRO: Foreign intervention in Catalonia
Argument: If Spain allows the situation in Catalonia to fester, international bodies may step in.

Warrant: Catalonia has called for the international community to assist them.

Jones, Sam. "Catalan leader calls for mediation with Spain over independence." The
Guardian. 10/2/17. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/02/catalan-
government-emergency-meeting-spain-independence

The Catalan president has called for international help in tackling its independence
dispute with Spain, saying Europe cannot continue to ignore the issue after almost 900
people were injured during the police crackdown on the referendum.
“The European commission must encourage international mediation,” Carles
Puigdemont said on Monday. “It cannot look the other way any longer.”
At least 893 people and 33 police officers were reported to have been hurt on Sunday
after riot police stormed polling stations, dragging out voters and firing rubber bullets
into crowds.
Puigdemont’s government has claimed that 90% of those who took part voted for
independence, but the Catalan leader’s call for mediation could suggest a shift in
strategy as he had previously said that independence would be declared within 48 hours
of a victory for the yes campaign.

Warrant: European leaders are already stepping in to support Catalonia.

Champion Briefs 96
Serhan, Yasmin. "Catalonia is becoming Europe's problem." The Atlantic. 11/2/17.

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/11/how-catalonia-
became-europes-problem/544622/

The speculation wasn’t unwarranted. Madrid charged Puigdemont and other members
of his government Monday with rebellion, sedition, and misuse of public funds—the
first charge alone carries up to a 30-year sentence. The charges, paired with an
apparent invitation by Belgian Immigration Minister Theo Francken for the Catalan
leader to seek asylum in Brussels and Puigdemont’s recent hiring of a Belgian human-
rights lawyer, appeared to suggest he might be intending to pursue independence in
exile (this speculation was fueled even further by Puigdemont’s web address, which
changed from president.cat to president.exili.edu).
When asked about the rumors during the press conference, however, Puigdemont said
he had different reasons for choosing the city. “I am here in Brussels as the capital of
Europe,” he said during his trilingual address (delivered in Spanish, Catalan, and
French) noting that the crisis in Catalonia “is a European issue, and I want Europe to
react.”

Impact: The United States, or another state, could force Spain's hand.

Resina, Joan Ramon. "America will help Catalonia win independence. The Hill. 10/12/17.
http://thehill.com/opinion/international/355120-american-influence-will-help-
catalonia-win-independence

The United States was the first government to recognize Franco’s regime after World
War II, and it maintains various forms of cooperation with Spain, including a strategic
military presence. The United States has no incentive to rock that relationship, but it
has enormous leverage, which in the past it has used at various times, as it did to
Champion Briefs 97
ensure Spain’s decolonization of the Western Sahara in 1975, to reverse Spain’s decision
to opt out of NATO in 1982, and to enroll Spain in the 2003 Iraq war.
The United States could again use its influence to prevent a violent crackdown on
defenseless Catalans and even to sponsor a negotiation between the parts that takes
its cue not from a restrictive constitution interpreted by a partisan set of government-
appointed judges, but from respect for the will of Catalans and their recognition as
political subjects.
In its political DNA, the United States encoded long ago a declaration of independence
against an oppressive legality. Our constitution enshrines the belief that all men are
entitled to the pursuit of happiness, which must be understood to include the
protection of their political rights. The fathers of the American Constitution considered
these principles to be based on reason and hence to be more permanent than the
accidental lines circumscribing the power of states on the world’s political map.

Analysis: If Spain does nothing, there is a chance that Catalonia will still be able to achieve
independence with the assistance of a powerful international ally. Most of Spain's international
partners are likely not willing to intervene, but Catalonia's leaders are calling for other nations
to step in. If an international actor is forced to intervene, Spain loses all the leverage that it has
in its negotiations with Catalonia, and its relationship with one of its most important allies,
potentially even the United States, could be permanently damaged.

Champion Briefs 98
A/2: Foreign intervention in Catalonia
Argument: International actors do not want to condone separatism.

Warrant: European leaders have condemned the actions of the Catalan.

Reilhec, Gilbert. "'It's time to talk:' EU again urges dialogue in Spain." Reuters. 10/4/17.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-timmermans/its-
time-to-talk-eu-again-urges-dialogue-in-spain-idUSKBN1C91VA

In the afternoon debate, leaders of the main parties in the Strasbourg chamber
broadly echoed Timmermans’ arguments. Few of Europe’s leaders want to see the
disruption of splitting a major member state nor to encourage separatism in other
countries.
The center-right leader, the Bavarian Manfred Weber, and the liberal leader, the
Flemish Guy Verhofstadt, both referred to their own origins to argue that strong
regional identity and autonomy did not mean breaking up existing nation states.
“The irresponsible Catalan government is splitting the country,” said Weber, an ally of
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and of Rajoy. He said the EU had neither the will nor
the means to intercede.
Some lawmakers, however, said Brussels could to more to help

Argument: International actors won't intervene, fearing they may cause chaos.

Warrant: The E.U. hopes Spain can resolve the issue internally.

Champion Briefs 99
Boffey, Daniel. "EU intervention in Catalonia would cause chaos, Juncker says." The
Guardian. 10/13/17. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/13/eu-
intervention-in-catalonia-would-cause-chaos-juncker-says

The president of the European commission has spoken of his regret at Spain’s failure
to follow his advice and do more to head off the crisis in Catalonia, but claimed that
any EU intervention on the issue now would only cause “a lot more chaos”.
Speaking to students in Luxembourg on Friday, Jean-Claude Juncker said he had told
the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, that his government needed to act to stop
the Catalan situation spinning out of control, but that the advice had gone unheeded.
“For some time now I asked the Spanish prime minister to take initiatives so that
Catalonia wouldn’t run amok,” he said. “A lot of things were not done.”
Juncker said that while he wished to see Europe remain united, his hands were tied
when it came to Catalan independence.
“People have to undertake their responsibility,” he said. “I would like to explain why
the commission doesn’t get involved in that. A lot of people say: ‘Juncker should get
involved in that.’

“We do not do it because if we do … it will create a lot more chaos in the EU. We
cannot do anything. We cannot get involved in that.”
Juncker said that while he often acted as a negotiator and facilitator between member
states, the commission could not mediate if calls to do so came only from one side – in
this case, the Catalan government.

Analysis: Many countries are upset by the Spanish government's response to Catalonia's cries
for independence, but most of them find it much more advantageous to not intervene. Spain is
an important ally for the U.S and most of the E.U, meaning that supporting the independence
movement would not be a savvy political move. Furthermore, Europe in particular fears the
potential chaos that could arise if an international actor chose to intervene in a state like Spain,
making it incredibly unlikely that any major power becomes directly involved in Catalonia's
independence movement.
Champion Briefs 100

PRO: Catalonian separatist violence
Argument: Catalan separatists will fight for their freedom

Warrant: Violence is an inevitability.

Bershidsky, Leonid. "Catalan separatists are on a path to failure." Bloomberg News.
9/20/17. https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-09-20/catalan-
separatists-are-on-a-path-to-failure

There's a hard truth to understand for the many Catalans who intend to vote for
independence on Oct. 1: Regardless of the legality of their vote, its result can only
stand if they are ready to fight for it -- and if they can win in a violent conflict.
As things stand before the independence referendum, Catalonia and Spain are locked in
a legal conflict. The local parliament has decreed the vote, and hundreds of mayors have
vowed to facilitate it. The Spanish courts and government have declared the
referendum illegal, essentially on the grounds that only all of Spain's people can vote to
change the nation's constitution. Catalans have complicated legal arguments against
that position. What they don't appear to have is the resolve to fight Spain.

Warrant: Most successful separatist movements end in violence.

Bershidsky, Leonid. "Catalan separatists are on a path to failure." Bloomberg News.
9/20/17. https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-09-20/catalan-
separatists-are-on-a-path-to-failure

That kind of determination is not strictly necessary for a successful secession. As an
alternative, public opinion in the country from which a region is trying to secede must
Champion Briefs 101

be in favor of the change (as was the case with Norway's splintering from Sweden in
1905), or at least willing to accept the will of the region's population (the case of the
U.K. and Scotland, had the latter voted for independence in 2014). But such consensual
situations are rare, and the Catalans don't benefit from one of them. The rest of Spain
-- at least those Spaniards who have voted for the major political parties -- is not in
favor of Catalan independence.
Under these circumstances, separatists need escalation dominance. That, in the end,
prevented major violence when the Soviet Union fell apart: Moscow let its constituent
republics go only reluctantly, but it realized it didn't have the military strength to hold
them all back. If the separatists cannot persuade the bigger nation that it's too weak to
resist, they must be prepared to fight a bloody war. All the successful secessions in
recent decades, and a few unsuccessful ones, were marked by violence.

Impact: Spain's current actions are emboldening radical separatists, like Terra Lliure.

Rogan, Tom. "If Spain overplays its hand in Catalonia, terrorism may follow." The
Washington Examiner. 10/19/17. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/if-
spain-overplays-its-hand-in-catalonia-terrorism-may-follow/article/2638030

It must do so not simply in the deeper service of Spanish unity, but so as to reduce the
risk of a terrorist uprising.
Don't laugh: The threat of a violent campaign cannot be discounted. All the ingredients
for an insurgent uprising in Catalonia are now present.
Given the overwhelming 92 percent majority which voted for independence and the
ensuing violent police crackdown that followed, it's safe to say the Catalan public are
angry and resentful. And in Spain's decision to take control of local government
authorities, some Catalans may feel that they are being oppressed.
Now consider a group from Catalonia's not so distant history.
Champion Briefs 102

Between 1978 and 1992, the Terra Lliure (Free Earth) Catalonian terrorist group waged
a low-level insurgency against the Spanish government. While Terra Lliure never
caused as much harm as its Basque counterpart, ETA, and eventually renounced
violence as its leaders were imprisoned or killed, it did undergo periods of
factionalism as some continued the fight.
Still, the history of insurgencies tells us that nothing should ever be taken for granted.
As in Northern Ireland today, where self-perceiving liberation movements find a union
of causes, leaders and means to reinstigate their activities, they will do so.

Analysis: While Spain and Catalonia are extremely unlikely to enter a full-scale, head-to-head
conflict, there are many radical separatists that are willing to shed blood over their right to
independence. If anything, Spain's recent response to the separatist movement is only making
violent retaliation more likely by legitimizing the separatist message. Catalonia is a peaceful
region, but many of the groups affiliated with its struggle for independence, like Terra Lliure,
have a history of violence. Spain's best course of action would be to avoid violent retaliation at
all costs by allowing Catalonia to declare independence, silencing the separatists.

Champion Briefs 103

A/2: Catalonian separatist violence.
Answer: Catalonian separatists are unlikely to resort to violence.

Warrant: Separatist leaders have implored activists to remain peaceful.

King, Laura. Catalan separatist leader calls for peaceful resistance to Spain takeover. The
Los Angeles Times. 10/28/17. http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-
spain-catalonia-20171028-story.html

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont called Saturday for peaceful resistance to
direct rule by Madrid, a day after Spain’s central government fired him and dissolved
his government in response to Catalonia’s unilateral declaration of independence.
The Madrid government, meanwhile, began implementing its administrative takeover of
Catalonia, the first such imposition of direct central rule in a Spanish region since the
advent of democracy nearly 40 years ago.
Puigdemont, in a brief prerecorded statement shown on Catalan public TV, called for
resistance to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s directives, but offered no specifics
about his own situation.
“It’s very clear that the best form of defending gains made up until now is democratic
opposition to Article 155,” Puigdemont said, referring to the constitutional provision
that Madrid invoked in response to the region’s independence drive.
The article gives the Spanish central government the authority to strip a region of its
autonomous powers in the event of a serious breach of law.

Warrant: Major separatist groups are telling Catalans to resist without resorting to violence.

Champion Briefs 104

Reuters Staff. "Catalan independence group calls for 'peaceful resistance' to Madrid.'"
Reuters. 10/27/17. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-
civilservant/catalan-independence-group-calls-for-peaceful-resistance-to-
madrid-idUSKBN1CW24L

The main secessionist group in Catalonia, the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), on
Friday called on civil servants not to follow orders from the Spanish government after
Madrid authorized direct rule over the region.
Following a declaration of independence in Catalonia the upper house of Spain’s
parliament authorized the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to rule
Catalonia directly from Madrid.
The ANC called on Catalan civil servants to respond with “peaceful resistance”.

Analysis: Catalans do not want a protracted and violent affair with Madrid. They instead prefer
to pursue the nonviolent means of protest through legal channels such as the constitution,
knowing that violence only begets more violence. Though there is a history of violent
confrontation between separatists and the Spanish government, most separatist leaders and
groups are urging their followers to stay peaceful.

Champion Briefs 105

PRO: Catalonian independence will help the Catalonian

economy
Argument: If Catalonia becomes independent from Spain, it will give Catalonia more control
over their own economy and allows them to access more opportunities for growth and
development. This could lead to more prosperity in the long run for the region.

Warrant: Leaving Spain gives Catalonia brand recognition


A final point: Catalonia has brand recognition. Brand is an intangible advantage, but
can be deployed to leverage other economic advantages. Ireland is a fine example of
that, using its brand (and its educated workforce) to make it a base for high-tech
American companies seeking to enter the European market. On its own, Catalonia
could be nimble in attracting business, and consequently creating jobs, than it has
been as part of Spain.

Warrant: Catalonia has strong manufacturing

Champion Briefs 106


It is a manufacturing centre, has two top-ranking business schools, and the usual array
of service industries. Separatists have noted that though Catalonia has about 18 per
cent of Spain’s population, it generates more than 20 per cent of its GDP. Were it to be
fully independent, with Barcelona and its 1.6 million people, it would have one of the
glitziest capital cities on earth.

Warrant: Leaving Spain will bring Catalonia increased autonomy

Petroff, Alanna. “Catalonia vs. Spain: Here's What Could Happen Next.” CNNMoney,
Cable News Network, 7 Aug. 2017,
money.cnn.com/2017/10/04/news/economy/catalonia-independence-spain-
business/index.html.

Many experts think that despite crumbling relations between officials in Barcelona and
Madrid, the two sides will be able to negotiate a truce. "Catalonia would not have the
means, including the fiscal means, to enforce a full independence," said Holger
Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank. "At some point in time, Barcelona and
Madrid will need to talk.” A negotiated settlement could leave Catalonia with more
autonomy and increased control over its own finances. Even so, uncertainty and public
unrest in the coming days (or months) could do a fair bit of damage to local businesses
and the economy. Protests forced the closure of several highways on Tuesday, causing
production delays at a Volkswagen-owned plant in the region. More disruptions would
threaten worker attendance and productivity.

Warrant: Spain holds Catalonia back

Champion Briefs 107

Brinded, Lianna. “A Quick Guide to Catalonia’s Controversial Independence

Referendum.” Quartz, Quartz, 29 Sept. 2017, qz.com/1078532/the-eu-would-
recognize-catalonian-independence-in-a-illegal-and-undemocratic-referendum/.

For hundreds of years, various Spanish leaders tried to outlaw the Catalan language and
play down other aspects of the region’s culture. Official autonomy within Spain was
granted to the Catalan government, known as the Generalitat, in the early 20th century,
interrupted by a brutal crackdown under dictator Francisco Franco, and then restored a
few years after his death in 1975. These historical grievances were exacerbated by
economic hardship from 2008 onwards, as Spain’s severe credit crisis, billion-euro
bank bailout, and soaring unemployment catalyzed the desire to seek independence
once again. Back in 2014, around 80% of people in the region opted for independence in
an informal vote (a “participation process”), although turnout was low.

Analysis: This is a good warrant because it interacts with many possible responses the con can
make about how Catalonia will lose access to many benefits of being a part of Spain. Instead,
you can argue with this warrant that being a part of Spain only holds Catalonia back by
subjecting them to potential volatility.

Impact: Catalonia would be a very successful economy

Alexander, Harriet. “Why Does Catalonia Want Independence from Spain?” The
Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 5 Oct. 2017,
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/does-catalonia-want-independence-spain/.

Secession would therefore cost Spain almost 20 per cent of its economic output, and
trigger a row about how Catalonia would return 52.5 billion euros of debt it owes to the
country’s central administration. It would have a gross domestic product of $314 billion
(£195bn), according to calculations by the OECD, which would make it the 34th largest
Champion Briefs 108

economy in the world. That would make it bigger than Portugal or Hong Kong. Its GDP
per capita would be $35,000, which would make it wealthier than South Korea, Israel
or Italy. And Catalonia's contribution to the Spanish economy is twice that of
Scotland’s to the UK.

Analysis: This is a strategic argument because it is easy to weigh against all negative arguments
that can be made about Spain’s economy suffering as a result of independence. If Spain sees a
reduction in their GDP, it is not necessarily bad because they will see also a proportional drop in
their population. Meanwhile, the population that left will see greater prosperity, and thus on
balance, succession would certainly result in more benefits than harms.
Champion Briefs 109

A/2: Catalonian independence will help the Catalonian

economy
Answer: Catalonian independence hurts the Spanish economy

Warrant: Catalonia makes up a large part of the Spanish economy


Catalonia, whose leaders are pushing for a split from Spain in a banned referendum on
Sunday, is one of the powerhouses of the Spanish economy. The region, in the
northeast of Spain, is buoyed by industry, research and tourism - but burdened with a
heavy debt. Catalonia accounted for 19 percent of Spain's gross domestic product
(GDP) last year, rivalling Madrid for the distinction of being the country's richest region.
It is fourth in terms of GDP per capita averaging 28,600 euro ($33,600), after Madrid,
the northern Basque Country and neighbouring Navarra. GDP per capita in Spain overall
is 24,000 euro. Like in Madrid, unemployment is also lower than in the rest of the
country: 13.2 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared with 17.2 percent
nationally.

Warrant: Catalonia attracts investment and trade to Spain

Champion Briefs 110


Actually it is much more. The region is an economic powerhouse, in effect subsidising
the rest of the country. Its 7.5 million people, some 16 per cent of the population of
Spain, generate nearly 20 per cent of the country’s GDP. Were it a country it would rank
in economic size somewhere between Denmark and Finland. As for Barcelona itself, its
port is the biggest in the Mediterranean, and the fourth largest cruise ship destination in
the world. It also has two of the top business schools in the world, ESADE and IESE,
and a tradition of business competence. Catalonia attracts one third of inward
investment into Spain, and produces one third of Spain’s exports. Without Catalonia,
Spain would continue to be the fourth largest economy in the eurozone, after
Germany, France and Italy, but it would be much weakened. By contrast Scotland’s
share of UK GDP is 7.5 per cent, so in economic terms this is a much bigger deal for
Spain than Scottish independence would be for the UK. You can see why they oppose a
referendum.

Analysis: This response is good because it is a turn that outweighs on scope. Even if the
Catalonian economy improves because of secession, that only affects a very small amount of
people. There are far more people in Spain, so if the Spanish economy tanks as a result, that
should be weighed above all else. This functionally frames your opponents argument out of the
round and tilts the perception of the round in your favor.

Answer: Spanish backlash could hurt the Catalonian economy

Warrant: Spain could block Catalonia’s EU membership

Bruton, F. Brinley. “Catalan Independence Referendum: What's Behind Divisive Spanish
Vote?” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 30 Sept. 2017,
Champion Briefs 111

www.nbcnews.com/news/world/catalan-independence-referendum-what-s-
behind-divisive-spanish-vote-n805421.

Catalonia and Spain stand to suffer economically if the region were to breakaway
without an agreement. But Catalonia may have a harder time going it alone without
support from outside of Spain. The European Union, which has reason to be afraid of
fueling other regional nationalist movements, says Catalonia would have to reapply
for membership to the grouping, something that Spain could block. And it is virtually
impossible to estimate the political impact the move would have. Catalonia has the
largest economy of the Spanish regions — greater than Greece's and close to those of
Ireland and Denmark. But many of its goods come from the Spanish state, while Spain
relies on Catalonia's industrial products and export facilities.

Warrant: Spain may refuse to trade with Catalonia

Jofre-Bonet, Mireia, and Albert Banal. “Catalonia, Spain and the Economic
Consequences of a Split.” The Conversation, 5 Dec. 2017,
theconversation.com/catalonia-spain-and-the-economic-consequences-of-a-
split-85557.

The Catalan government would probably need to seek funding from financial markets.
This could be possible if it becomes an independent state which raises its own taxes.
Although the new Spanish state may be in a worse financial situation than it currently is,
it would retain the support of the European Central Bank. In the short-run the split may
be costly, as both sides may also face economic uncertainty and disruptions to trade,
as their populations may boycott each other’s goods and services (as has happened at
previous times of tension). Because of the size difference, Catalonia would end up
suffering more from this (the rest of Spain accounts for one third of Catalan exports).
But it is unclear how long boycotts would last, and how restrictive they might be.
Champion Briefs 112

Businesses may also search out other markets, as they have even in the recent past.
Exports of Cava from Catalonia to other countries, for example, increased substantially
following an informal boycott from the rest of Spain ten years ago.

Analysis: Even if the pro is able to prove that the Catalonian economy would do well if it were
its own state, that does not account for the possible repercussions that Spain could inflict upon
Catalonia. This response is good because it proves that the implementation of secession would
likely be harmful even if the act itself should be fine theoretically.

Champion Briefs 113

PRO: Catalonian independence will increase government

efficiency
Argument: As of right now, Spain exploits Catalonia for its economic advantages without giving
proportionate help back to Catalonia. If Catalonia were on its own, it could govern itself more
efficiently without having to think about the whole rest of Spain, which holds it back.

Warrant: Spain takes more than they give back

Benavides, Lucia. “The Big Reason Catalonia Wants to Secede May Be Economic: It's One
of the Richest Regions in Spain.” Marketplace, Marketplace, 29 Sept. 2017,
www.marketplace.org/2017/09/29/economy/big-reason-catalonia-wants-
secede-economic-richest-regions-in-spain.

Economics professor Elisenda Paluzie said Catalan residents represent about 16 percent
of the country’s population. Yet these same residents contribute 20 percent of Spain’s
taxes, and then receive 14 percent back for public expenses. She said Catalonia is
economically important for Spain, and if it were to secede, “they lose a territory that’s
relatively rich and contributes a lot to taxes.” Paluzie said the 2008 economic crisis
helped increase separatist sentiment in Catalonia – the region experienced the highest
budget cuts. Then, in 2010, Catalonia sought a statute that would have allowed it to
collect its own taxes – much like the system in another autonomous region of Spain,
the Basque Country. The Spanish government rejected that.

Warrant: Catalonia has developed its own tax office

Champion Briefs 114

Berwick, Angus. “From New Tax Office, Catalonia Hopes to Grab Billions from Madrid.”
Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 21 Sept. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-
politics-catalonia-tax/from-new-tax-office-catalonia-hopes-to-grab-billions-from-
madrid-idUSKCN1BW10A.

Each year, it pays about 10 billion euros ($12 billion) more in taxes to Madrid than it
gets back, or around 5 percent of regional economic output, according to data from the
Spanish Treasury. In contrast, Spain’s poorest region, Andalusia, receives almost 8 billion
euros more than it pays in. “The money issue is one of the roots of the problem, the
feeling that Catalonia is being ripped off,” said Angel Talavera, a Catalan economist at
consultancy Oxford Economics. If its agency took over all forms of taxation, it would
also collect income, company and value-added taxes, bringing total receipts to 42
billion euros, Salvado said. The agency collected about 3 billion euros last year,
according to a spokeswoman for the Catalan economy and budget department.

Warrant: Catalonia would gain a lot of money from not having to pay taxes


"Those losses would be provoked by the obstacles to trade, by financial problems, by
the spending needs of the new state.” While Catalans only account for about 16 percent
of the Spanish population, Catalonia makes a hefty contribution to the overall Spanish
economy, making 223.6 billion euros ($262.96 billion) a year, according to the regional
government. This is around 20 percent of its total gross domestic product (GDP). Larger
than the contribution that California makes to the whole United States. Using figures
from official European and Catalonian organizations, Business Insider claimed earlier
Champion Briefs 115

this year that the region would quickly gain about 16 billion euros yearly in the case of
a split, as they would no longer have to pay taxes to Spain. This would then result in a
loss of about 2 percent to the Spanish GDP (gross domestic product) yearly.

Impact: Leaving Spain means that Catalonia gains governmental autonomy

AFP. “Catalonia's Frustrated Dream: to Tax and Spend like Basques.” Expatica Spain, 25
Sept. 2017, www.expatica.com/es/news/country-news/Spain-referendum-
Catalonia-Basque-regions-budget_1438566.html.

Spain's refusal to extend the tax-and-spend privileges enjoyed by the wealthy Basque
region, which collects its own taxes and spends the money as it pleases, has fuelled the
rise of separatism in Catalonia, experts and commentators say. "Why the Basques and
not the Catalans?" asked Catalan daily La Vanguardia recently. Most of Spain's regions
pay taxes to the central government and then receive a portion in return to spend on
health, education and public infrastructure. The sole exceptions are the northern
Basque Country and its twin region Navarre which collect their own taxes and decide for
themselves how to spend the money. The two regions, which have Spain's highest gross
domestic product (GDP) per capital after the Madrid region, contribute a minimal
amount to the central government, mainly for defence, and pay little to an interregional
solidarity fund. They are also reimbursed part of the value-added tax collected on their
home turf. As a result, "public spending in the Basque Country is double the average
of the rest of Spain. It's an unbearable inequality and it is not unrelated to the Catalan
problem," said Alain Cuenca, an expert on regional financing at the University of
Zaragoza.

Analysis: This argument is strategic because even if the con proves that the economy is
worsened by leaving Spain, you can respond by saying that the government would be better
equipped to deal with such situations in the long term because they have complete control over
their own finances. That’s really important because it means that this argument can outweigh
on timeframe and magnitude, making it very easy to win the judges ballot.
Champion Briefs 116

A/2: Catalonian independence will increase government

efficiency
Answer: This is not unique to Catalonia

Warrant: It is normal for an economic powerhouse to pay more in taxes than it gets in benefits

Mount, Ian. “In Spain, the Fight for Catalan Independence Comes down to Cash Money.”
Fortune, 30 Jan. 2015, fortune.com/2015/01/30/spain-catalonia-independence-
taxes-economy/.

That a wealthy region pays more in taxes than it receives in federal spending is not
necessarily nefarious. Governments often redistribute tax money to compress the gap
between rich and poor regions. “The problem of fiscal discrimination in Catalonia is
similar to what happens in a rich area of any place,” says Santiago Lago, a professor of
economics at the University of Vigo. “If you take similar regions, rich areas in France or
Italy or the UK, the results are very similar.” In the United States, for example, New
Jersey gets only $0.88 back in federal spending for every $1 it puts in. Meanwhile,
Mississippi gets $3.07, according to a 2014 study from finance site Wallet Hub.

Warrant: The difference between taxation and funding is not that large

Maqueda, Antonio, et al. “No, Catalonia Is Not Being Robbed.” EL PAÍS, Síguenos En
Síguenos En Twitter Síguenos En Facebook Síguenos En Twitter Síguenos En
Instagram, 26 Sept. 2017,
elpais.com/elpais/2017/09/26/inenglish/1506410252_592782.html.

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The issue, then, is not that a gap exists: it is whether this gap is truly excessive. And
comparisons suggest that it is not. The situation in Catalonia is not very different from
that of other Spanish or foreign regions with higher-than-average income levels. In
recent years, Madrid and the Balearic Islands have had even bigger fiscal deficits than
Catalonia. “There is an inverse relationship between per capita GDP and the fiscal
balance,” says Ángel de la Fuente, a renowned expert on the matter whose opinions are
valued by the pro-independence movement. “The higher the per capita GDP, the worse
the fiscal balance will be.”The only exceptions to this rule are the Basque Country and
Navarre, two wealthy regions that also enjoy a fiscal surplus. That is because of a special
deal – el concierto económico – by which these regions get to keep most of their tax
receipts, rather than turning them over to the state, and later pay in a certain amount of
money for the state’s services. Experts agree that this amount is too low.

Analysis: This is a good response because it puts the pro’s argument into context by saying that
Catalonia is not unlike other states that pay more than they get back from the state. This then
shifts the diagnosis of the situation as exploitation to a run-of-the-mill occurrence that does not
deserve to be called out as especially wrong. Therefore, it becomes easy to respond to this
argument if the pro were to run it.

Answer: Catalonia will be hurt economically by secession

Warrant: Building a new country is not cheap


Champion Briefs 118

At the same time, Catalonia could take a potential hit, as 35.5 percent of Catalan
exports are to the Spanish market. Catalonia would also have pay to create new state
structures (embassies, central banks, etc.) which carry a large price tag. Earlier this
month, Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos claimed that Catalonia could see its
economy shrink by 25 to 30 percent and its unemployment double if it splits to form a
separate state. Regardless, the fate of both nations would ultimately come down to the
decisions made in post-separation negotiations on debt and the European Union.

Warrant: Its relationship with the EU will be complicated

Giugliano, Ferdinando. “Catalans Would Pay a High Price for Independence.”
Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 6 Oct. 2017,
www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-10-06/catalans-would-pay-a-high-
price-for-independence.

However, the transition to that new, steady state would be messy. Catalonia would
need to reapply to join the EU and the euro zone. This would be a lengthy process and
require the approval of all member states, including Spain. In the meanwhile, Catalonia
would have two options. One would be to set up its own independent currency. The
other, which is more likely, would be to introduce the euro unilaterally, much like
Montenegro did. Catalonia would not, however, have any say on the conduct of
monetary policy, since only euro zone member states are represented on the governing
council of the European Central Bank. Either arrangement would create problems for
financial stability. The introduction of a new currency would prompt depositors to pull
their money from banks, fearing devaluation. A new central bank of Catalonia would be
forced to print more money to stop the run, contributing to the currency plunge and
stoking inflation.

Champion Briefs 119

Analysis: This is a good response because even if the pro could prove that leaving Spain could
result in more governmental autonomy and more money collected through taxes, if the
economy is hurt in the process, it kind of defeats the purpose of having a good government. If
we see that more people end up in poverty as a result, its hard to justify leaving Spain simply on
the principle of being able to use all of the taxes they pay.

Champion Briefs 120

PRO: Catalonian independence upholds Catalonian culture
Argument: Catalonia has a very distinctive culture and language from Spain. Because of this
difference, they certainly deserve to have their own statehood. By denying them the capacity
for independence, we are functionally denying them autonomy as a people with their own
culture.

Warrant: Catalonia has its own language

Woolf, Christopher. “The Roots of Catalonia's Differences with the Rest of Spain.” Public
Radio International, 20 Oct. 2017, www.pri.org/stories/2017-10-20/roots-
catalonia-s-differences-rest-spain.

The traditional language of Catalonia is Catalan. In the past century, however, it’s lost
ground to Spanish, or more properly, Castilian (castellano). The languages are very
different. They’re related, but not always mutually intelligible. It's like the difference
between, say, German and Dutch, or French and Italian. If you know a little Spanish and
walk into a Catalan supermarket, you’d be hard-pressed to understand many of the
signs and labels. The languages emerged with other Latin-based languages from the
collapse of the Roman Empire. The Romans conquered Hispania more than 2,000 years
ago. Hispania was the name for the whole area of the Iberian Peninsula, comprising
modern Spain and Portugal. Their language — Latin — slowly displaced most of the
native Celtic and Iberian languages. Each region developed its own dialect.

Warrant: Catalonia has its own traditions

Champion Briefs 121

Elwes, Emily. “What's the Difference between Spain and Catalonia?” ShBarcelona, 14
Aug. 2017, www.shbarcelona.com/blog/en/spain-catalonia/.

Another of the major differences between Spain and Catalonia is the cultural
perception of each of the groups. Catalonians have always been viewed as hard
working, business minded and focused on succeeding, whereas the Spanish are often
seen as exuberant, fun-loving and outgoing. There are also a number of important
dates that are celebrated in all of Spain while others are celebrated only in Catalonia.
Some of the national holidays are that of the Epifania del Señor or the Kings Day, on the
6th of January, the date in which most of the Spanish people exchange Christmas gifts;
the 14th of January, the Holy Friday; May 1st, Worker’s Day; August 15th, Assunción de
la Virgen; October 12th, Fiesta Nacional de España; November 1st, All Saints; December
6th, Constitution Day; and December 8th, Immaculate Conception Day. On top of the
holidays mentioned above, Catalonia celebrates its own holidays, like Sant Joan, on
the 24th of July; La Diada, on September 11th; La Mercé, on September 25th
(exclusively celebrated in Barcelona); and Sant Esteban, on December 26th

Warrant: Catalonia has its own history

Bearak, Max. “ Catalonia Has Always Been Distinct. Why Is It Part of Spain?” The
Washington Post, WP Company, 24 Oct. 2017,
www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/24/catalonia-has-
always-been-distinct-why-is-it-part-of-spain/?utm_term=.67e1f747a0bf.

“To understand, you have to go back to the Middle Ages, in part because that's where
Catalan people also go back to when conceiving of their history,” said Paul Freedman,
a professor of Catalan history (among other things) at Yale. Catalans “see themselves as
always having been more entrepreneurial and modern than Castilians, who they see as
more concerned with power and religion and honor and purity of blood,” said
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Freedman. In the 12th century, a largely independent Catalonia was subsumed into
the Kingdom of Aragon, through a dynastic union (when royals arrange a marriage as a
way of merging territory, or forming an alliance). Catalan interests dominated that
union, and trade in the Western Mediterranean was largely their domain. A few
hundred years later, another dynastic union merged Aragon with Castile. After a series
of minor conquests, the Spanish state roughly assumed its modern borders. Since then,
Catalonia has been a linguistic minority in a country mostly populated and ruled by
Spanish-speakers. Modern Spain has many other such minorities, including Galicians,
Basques and Canarians. To differing degrees, they have each experienced suppression
of their language and culture. Separatist movements have been born and quashed for
centuries.

Impact: Secession helps Catalonia defend its cultural independence

Pretus, Nafees Hamid and Clara. “How Spain Misunderstood the Catalan Independence
Movement.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 1 Oct. 2017,
www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/10/catalan-referendum-spain-
independence/541656/.

Today, millions of citizens of the Spanish region of Catalonia hope to vote in a
referendum to declare their independence. Many Catalans feel that they are,
historically, a separate people with their own distinct language and culture that must
be protected through the restoration of their own nation. But Spain’s government is
vehemently opposed to such a referendum even taking place. The country’s
constitutional court has declared the referendum illegal, and the national police have
arrested 14 senior Catalan officials and confiscated millions of ballot papers. Judges
have ordered the police to seize any building or materials related to the referendum to
ensure that a vote does not take place. These actions have prompted mass protests, and
Champion Briefs 123

Spain’s Interior Ministry has deployed thousands of extra police to the region ahead of
what it expects to turn into a violent day.
Impact: Culture makes humans human

Grayling, AC. “Culture Is What Separates Us from the Rest of the Living World.” New
Statesman, 8 May 2013,
www.newstatesman.com/culture/culture/2013/05/culture-what-separates-us-
rest-living-world.

When we think of culture we naturally think of the arts and education along with
science, and these are all the true marks of humanity at its best. Both science and the
arts express the inventiveness of the human mind, but the arts capture its playfulness,
too, and its desire to take the one great step that leads us even beyond knowledge:
the step to understanding – understanding ourselves, our world, and our place in it.
This is the self-reflexiveness of the human mind, the ability to look at itself and to put
itself into the context of everything it interacts with. Chimps and dolphins can recognise
themselves in mirrors, and therefore have a degree of self-reflexive awareness – but it is
hard to find anywhere else in nature the sheer scale and elaboration of the human
mind’s response to things. The expression of that response is culture, and as the
distinguishing mark of humanity, culture exemplifies what other animals lack –
adaptiveness, progression, change and diversity in behaviour and activity.

Analysis: This is a strategic argument because it can be weighed in a few different ways. For
one, it can be weighed in a classic utilitarian format by arguing that upholding culture will
increase happiness far more than any other possible outcome. Second, it can be weighed by
stating that upholding culture is automatically the most important goal to aspire to because it is
what makes us human.
Champion Briefs 124

A/2: Catalonian Independence upholds Catalonian Culture
Response: If Catalonia leaves, their economy will suffer

Warrant: Investors may be weary at first

Yeomans, Jon. “Why Catalonia's Bid for Independence Is Europe's next Headache.” The
Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 10 Sept. 2015,
www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11849126/Why-Catalonias-bid-for-
independence-is-Europes-next-headache.html.

Were Catalonia to be cast out of the EU, it would have to introduce a new currency;
serve a public debt in a foreign currency without access to bond markets; and have
restricted access to the EU market. It would be unable to call upon the help of the
European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and the European Central Bank (ECB), which were
both central in bailing out Greece. Spain would become Catalonia’s biggest trading
partner, but Madrid could seek to recoup some of the billions it would lose in tax
revenue from the region by imposing duties on Catalan goods and services. Foreign
investors may also think twice about putting money into the breakaway state while
legal and political instability exists.

Warrant: Spain would deny their entrance to the EU

Pinnington, Rebecca. “Catalonia Referendum SABOTAGE: Spain 'Would VETO
Independent Region Joining the EU'.” Express.co.uk, Express.co.uk, 11 Oct. 2017,
www.express.co.uk/news/world/865244/catalonia-catalan-independence-
referendum-spain-veto-eu-membership.

Champion Briefs 125

Yesterday, Catalan president Carles Puigdemont told the regional parliament: “Spain
made us small, but Catalonia is a European affair.” However Catalan separatists hoping
to remain a member of the EU will be disappointed, as they will have to go through a
long application process that would most likely be blocked by the Spanish parliament.
Any EU27 state has the right veto a new member joining the bloc - and experts say
Spain would “certainly” exercise its power over Catalonia. Ian Bond, the Director of
Foreign Policy at the Centre for European Reform, told Express.co.uk “Spain would
certainly veto” Catalan membership if Mr Puigdemont unilaterally declared
independence.

Analysis: This is a good response because even if the pro proves that secession helps Catalonia
with their culture, you can argue that having a good economy and preventing unemployment is
far more important than the abstract idea of protecting culture. You can argue that most
people would probably prefer a job to feed their family over an abstract idea.

Response: Catalonia has lost a lot of its culture

Warrant: Commercialization has made Catalonia less authentic

Tremlett, Giles. “Madrid v Barcelona: the Cultural Battle That the Catalans Are Losing.”
The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 30 Apr. 2011,
www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/01/madrid-barcelona-cultural-rivals.

But connoisseurs of the cities say Barcelona is losing its way, while Madrid has an
increasingly vibrant cultural scene. "I used to be deeply envious of Barcelona," says
Madrid-born Mercedes Cebrián, part of the Nocilla generation of young writers who
look back at the popularity of Madrid during the 1980s movida countercultural
movement – in which Pedro Almodóvar was prominent – with envy. "There was a
feeling that the city had lost what it had during the movida. Barcelona was an object of
Champion Briefs 126

everyone's desire. We weren't even on the list of fashionable cities.” But now she
worries Barcelona has become a victim of its own success and is merely aiming to fulfil
the wishes of foreign visitors who have flocked into trendy districts in and around the
Gothic quarter. "People there are beginning to complain," she said. A book called I
Hate Barcelona, by a group of local writers, listed many of the things that Barcelonans
are beginning to dislike about their city. They include cheap tourism, the overcrowded
Ramblas boulevard, and the town hall's preference for self-promotion and for putting
shopping before culture.

Warrant: Tourism has hurt Barcelona’s local culture

Frayer, Lauren. “For Barcelona, Tourism Boom Comes At High Cost.” NPR, NPR, 1 Mar.
2017, www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/03/01/517071122/for-barcelona-
tourism-boom-comes-at-high-cost.

On a mild, sunny afternoon, hordes of tourists stroll down Barcelona's famous tree-
lined pedestrian avenue, La Rambla. They love it — the weather, the tapas, the laid-
back bohemian vibe. One tourist from Australia says he's visited Barcelona 12 times in
10 years. But the city doesn't always love them back. In January, thousands of
Barcelona residents marched down La Rambla and "occupied" the entrance to a hotel
there, to protest the volume of tourists and gentrification in the city. Such rallies began
in the summer of 2014, after a group of Italian tourists rented a flat for a bachelor party
in an old fishermen's barrio on Barcelona's seafront. One morning, three of the visitors
were photographed gallivanting around the neighborhood grocery store — stark naked
— as elderly neighbors looked on, aghast. Their antics made the local newspapers and
sparked protests which have spread across the city in recent years. That incident
became a symbol of tourists gone wild in Barcelona, and gave birth to neighborhood
anti-tourism groups. "The promotion of tourism, and all these tourist apartments, is
Champion Briefs 127

actually driving neighbors out," says Martí Cusó, a member of one anti-tourism group
in Barcelona's Gothic quarter, where his family has lived for three generations.

Analysis: If Catalonia is already seeing their culture diluted by tourism and commercialism, then
there may not be much left to save by seceding from Spain. This means that many of the
impacts of the pro’s argument are moot and thus the judge cannot vote off of the argument.
This is a good response because most teams probably won’t be expecting it.

Champion Briefs 128

PRO: Catalonian independence will decrease political

polarization
Argument: Politics in Catalonia are polarized due to spillover from Spain’s political system and
the polarization brought on by this issue itself. If Catalonia were to leave Spain, they would be
able to decrease political polarization and thus pass more beneficial policy and do so more
quickly as well. This is critical because in order for a government to respond to the needs of the
people, they must be able to address them in a timely manner.

Warrant: Secession causes polarization

Faber, Sebastiaan. “Spain's Conflict Over Catalonia Is Covering Up Massive Political
Corruption.” The Nation, 24 Nov. 2017, www.thenation.com/article/spains-
conflict-over-catalonia-is-covering-up-massive-political-corruption/.

What might sound like electoral catnip for the opposition has been anything but. In
the Spanish Parliament, where the PP governs without an absolute majority, the
Catalan crisis has somehow further divided the country’s two largest opposition
parties, the social-democratic PSOE and the young anti-austerity party Podemos.
While the PSOE supported the imposition of direct rule in Catalonia, Podemos has from
the outset argued that the only political solution to the Catalan challenge is a binding
referendum on self-determination. The PSOE’s submissive role as a handmaiden to the
PP’s hard-line centralism has alienated its progressive allies in Catalonia. (Its party
leadership went ahead with supporting the PP’s invocation of Article 155 without
consulting its membership, a move some believe was meant to avoid an internal vote
against the deal.) But Podemos’s middle-of-the-road position, too, would likely punish
the party at the ballot box were a national election to be held anytime soon. The
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Catalan crisis, fueled by a politicized media, has polarized opinion around issues that
for many in Spain are deeply emotional. Any political stance that falls somewhere
between strongly pro-independence and strongly anti-independence has little
galvanizing power. To make matters worse, the issue has caused fractures within
Podemos. Ciudadanos, by contrast, whose aggressive Spanish nationalism in response
to the Catalan independence movement has pulled the PP even further to the right, is
seeing its support skyrocket.

Warrant: The media has been increase polarization in Catalonia

Hedgecoe, Guy. “Catalonian Media Reflect Polarised Spanish Society.” BBC News, BBC, 6
Oct. 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41517569.

An aerial photograph showed tens of thousands of people demonstrating in the city
centre the previous day, when a region-wide strike had been staged in protest at
attempts by Spanish security forces to stop people voting in Sunday's independence
referendum. The article below the photograph underlined how successful the strike had
been. In Madrid, meanwhile, Catalonia was also hogging the headlines but a different
version of events was being presented. El País' front-page photograph of the strike was
of two dozen youths running on to a road to stop a car, suggesting chaos rather than
organised protest. "The Catalan government takes its insurrection on to the streets on a
day of disorder," read a headline above it. Such contrasting interpretations of what is
happening in Catalonia reflect the deeply divisive nature of Spain's territorial crisis
and the media has been a key factor in fueling the polarization.

Warrant: Most Catalonians support secession

Stone, Jon. “Catalonia Independence Referendum: Final Results Show 90% Backed
Secession from Spain.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media,
Champion Briefs 130

6 Oct. 2017, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalonia-

independence-referendum-final-results-90-spain-madrid-barcelona-catalan-
latest-a7987026.html.

The final results from Catalonia's independence referendum show that 90 per cent of
voters backed secession from Spain, the region's government has said. Madrid has
vowed to ignore the result after Spain's constitutional court declared the poll unlawful.
On Sunday riot police occupied polling stations and attacked voters to stop the
plebiscite, called by the local Catalan government, from going ahead. The official results,
released on Friday, are similar to the preliminary results release by officials in the wake
of the poll.The 90 per cent figure may not reflect the views of everyone in the region
because some opponents of independence have stayed away following the declaration
that the vote was unlawful. Similar unofficial referenda to gauge support for
independence in the region, including one held in 2014, showed over 80 per cent
support for secession. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont is set to address the Catalan
parliament on Tuesday regarding the “current political situation”, a spokesperson for
the body confirmed today.

Warrant: The secessionist party in Catalonia will quell polarization

Mount, Ian. “New Government in Catalonia Looks to Speed up Secession From Spain.”
Fortune, 1 Nov. 2016, fortune.com/2016/01/11/spain-catalonia-secession/.

Getting into bed with the PSOE’s arch-enemy could be political suicide for Sánchez’s
party, which has been trying to stop the flood of voters who’ve left to join Podemos, a
new left-wing party untainted by the economic crisis and the corruption scandals that
have battered Spanish politics. But the PSOE could turn this situation to its advantage,
Rodríguez Teruel says, if it can overcome its internal divisions and form an alliance
with the upstart liberal party Ciudadanos. Together, the two would have more seats
Champion Briefs 131

than the PP and could use their combined power to press the PP to push aside Rajoy in
favor of a less polarizing PP politician or even perhaps for Ciudadanos head Albert
Rivera. No matter what, after the surprise formation of the Catalan government the
battle for power in Madrid has already begun. Shortly after the secessionist parties in
Catalonia came to an agreement on Saturday, Rajoy’s office released a statement to the
country’s political parties calling for them to create a national government that has “a
broad parliamentary base that guarantees the stability and capacity to…confront the
secessionist challenge.”

Impact: Polarization leads to gridlock

Epstein, Diana. “Polarized Politics and Policy Consequences.” RAND Corporation, 2007,
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/occasional_papers/2007/RAND_
OP197.pdf.

Among the negative consequences of polarization, legislative gridlock is one that is
most commonly mentioned and that has received considerable study. The so-called
“gridlock hypothesis” asserts that polarization is a contributing factor to increased
gridlock. Gridlock has been defined as “the share of salient issues on the nation’s
agenda left in limbo at the close of each Congress” (Binder, 2000). Using this measure, it
appears that gridlock rose between the 1940s and 1990s (Binder, 2000). Studies of
lawmaking productivity find that Congress enacted more significant pieces of legislation
when it was less polarized. For example, one study found that the least polarized
congressional term produced between 60 percent and 166 percent more legislation
than did the most polarized terms, depending on how the statistical model is specified
(McCarty et al., 2006).

Analysis: This is a good argument because the impact is really large. Legislative gridlock means
that no good policy can be passed and the government is unable to meet the needs of their
Champion Briefs 132

people. Even if the con is able to prove that Catalonia will have a better economy with Spain, if
the government is unable to administer the people in an efficient manner, it doesn’t really
matter because the taxes will not be used well.
Champion Briefs 133

A/2: Catalonian independence will decrease political

polarization
Answer: Secession increases polarization in Spain

Warrant: The referendum caused a split in international support to parties in Spain

Tharoor, Ishaan. “Analysis | Spain’s Looming Showdown over Catalonia.” The
Washington Post, WP Company, 28 Sept. 2017,
www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/28/the-looming-
showdown-between-catalonia-and-spain/?utm_term=.d86115922af0.

Despite the literally comic imagery, the prospect of violence and confrontation on the
streets hangs over proceedings. The referendum has also led to broader polarization
across Spain. Catalonia solidarity protests took place in nearby Basque country, a region
with its own long history of separatist aspirations, while nationalists have cheered the
mobilization of the Guardia Civil in areas outside Catalonia. It's playing out
internationally, as well. In Washington this week, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano
Rajoy won the backing of President Trump, who declared Spain “a great country” that
“should remain united.” It was somewhat of a surprise move, given both the State
Department's more neutral position and Trump's own support for other anti-status quo
causes like Brexit. Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks activist whose organization's work
boosted Trump last year, has been campaigning strenuously online in favor of Catalan
secession.

Warrant: Polarization has risen due to protests

Champion Briefs 134

Tharoor, Ishaan. “Analysis | Spain’s Rajoy Sets the Stage for a Bigger Battle over
Catalonia.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 2 Oct. 2017,
www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/02/spains-rajoy-sets-
the-stage-for-a-bigger-battle-over-catalonia/?utm_term=.52c68c085850.

“The Spanish government would have been more likely to achieve its goals of national
unity by allowing a vote in Catalonia in which it demanded that more options appeared
on the ballot,” wrote Nafees Hamid and Clara Pretus, two academics who studied voter
attitudes in the region. “Such options would have included the choice of remaining an
autonomous community but with greater sovereignty, or becoming a federal state.”
Now, though, the political conversation is far more polarized. A tense standoff is in
the cards in the coming weeks, with the possibility of further protests and mass strikes
rocking Catalonia. Rajoy will have to own the crisis, and his opponents already have one
idea of how he should do so.

Analysis: This is a good response because even if the pro can prove that there will be a
decrease in political polarization in Catalonia, if there is a corresponding increase in polarization
in Spain, that outweighs because there are more people in Spain. Plus, Spain is already
polarized, which means that an increase will also outweigh on magnitude, in addition to scope.

Answer: Leaving Spain will leave Catalonia politically isolated

Warrant: No country supports Catalonia’s independence

Hennessy-Fiske, Molly, and Laura King. “Catalan Separatist Leader Calls for Peaceful
Resistance to Spain Takeover.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct.
2017, www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-spain-catalonia-20171028-
story.html.

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On the anti-secession side, the head of the Ciudadanos party in Catalonia, Albert Rivera,
urged backers to take part in the Dec. 21 vote. “We had a sad day yesterday, but we also
saw the application of the law and the constitution,” he said. “Our country is headed in
the right direction.” As part of its effort to bring the secessionists to heel, the central
government is seeking to further isolate Catalonia internationally, dismantling the
region’s informal embassies in Europe and elsewhere. No country has offered
recognition of the independence declaration. The Trump administration on Friday
offered support for the Madrid government, a NATO ally, saying that Catalonia is an
integral part of Spain. Europe, too, has sharply rejected the independence declaration.
The European Commission’s president, Jean-Claude Juncker, called Saturday for respect
for Spain’s constitutional order. Twenty-four hours after the parliament’s independence
vote, secessionists were still expressing happiness, but said they didn’t know what might
happen next.

Warrant: Catalonia could no longer be a part of the EU

News, SBS. “Could an Independent Catalonia Stay in the EU?” SBS News, SBS News, 8
Oct. 2017, www.sbs.com.au/news/could-an-independent-catalonia-stay-in-the-
eu.

The EU's treaties do not specifically state what happens if part of a member state
secedes, but since 2004 the commission has stuck to the "Prodi doctrine", named after
former president Romano Prodi. This says that a region breaking away from a member
state would automatically cease to be part of the EU on the day of its independence,
and would have to follow the usual membership process to rejoin. Membership talks for
Catalonia would likely be different from those currently under way for candidate
countries such as the Balkan states and Turkey, which have to harmonise their
legislation and foreign policy as well as bring human rights standards up to EU
standards.
Champion Briefs 136


Analysis: This is a good response because even if the con can prove that Catalonia will have less
gridlock internally, they will not be able to get any help internationally, which could be
devastating for a new country. It is thus very easy to outweigh the pro argument with this
response by giving impacts of being in the EU or having the backing of the US for example.

Champion Briefs 137


PRO: Catalonian independence upholds democratic values
Argument: If the people of Catalonia want to make their own state, they should be allowed to.
That alone is a justification because the way in which democracy ought to function is by
listening to the will of the people, and so if we were to deny the will of the people in this
instance, we would be going against the bedrock principle of democracy.

Warrant: Most people in Catalonia want independence

Jon Sharman, May Bulman, Caroline Mortimer. “Catalan Independence Referendum:
Massive Majority Votes 'Yes', Regional Government Says.” The Independent,
Independent Digital News and Media, 30 Sept. 2017,
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalan-referendum-live-updates-
results-polls-spain-catalonia-independence-votes-a7975901.html.

People waiting to vote chanted “we are people of peace” and “we are not afraid”. But
despite the violence, the Catalan government has declared an overwhelming victory
for the Yes campaign despite the violence. It says 90 per cent of the 2.26 million
voters who cast a ballot voted for independence – a turnout of 42.3 per cent. It is
unclear what will happen next but Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont has already
said he will unilaterally declare independence from Spain within 48 hours if the region
votes Yes. But Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has remained defiant, saying the
Catalans had been tricked into taking part in a fake vote as "there was no independence
referendum today”. He accused the regional government of using the referendum as a
strategy against legality and democratic harmony and was a "path that leads to
nowhere”. It comes after a number of arrests in recent weeks of local government
Champion Briefs 138

figures. Police also confiscated millions of ballot papers and sealed off hundreds of
polling stations.

Warrant: The Catalonians have a historical right to independence

Erickson, Amanda. “Analysis | Catalonia’s Independence Vote: What You Need to
Know.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 27 Oct. 2017,
www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/09/30/catalonia-
independence-referendum-spain/?utm_term=.4a930a4273f2.

For “independistas,” the fight for freedom has been a three-century project, one that
can be traced back to 1714, when Philip V of Spain captured Barcelona. (Even today,
pro-independence Catalonians insult Spanish loyalists by calling them “botiflers,” or
allies of Philip V.) Since then, Catalan nationalists have consistently pursued some
degree of autonomy from Spain. By 1932, the region's leaders had declared a Catalan
Republic, and the Spanish government agreed on a state of autonomy. But when Gen.
Francisco Franco came to power in 1939, those gains were lost. Franco systematically
repressed all efforts toward Catalan nationalism. Under his dictatorship, the New York
Times wrote, “the government tried to stamp out all Catalan institutions and the
language, and thousands of people were executed in purges. Virtually no Catalan
family emerged from that period unscarred.”

Warrant: Catalonia has won the right to statehood

“'Catalonian Citizens Won the Right to Statehood' – Regional President.” RT
International, 1 Oct. 2017, www.rt.com/news/405299-catalonia-earned-right-
statehood/.

Champion Briefs 139

Catalonia has earned its right to have an independent state, said the head of the
regional government Carles Puigdemont, praising the courage of millions of Catalan
people, who, despite a violent police crackdown, took to the polling stations Sunday.
“On this day of hope and suffering, Catalonia's citizens have earned the right to have
an independent state in the form of a republic,” Puigdemont, surrounded by members
of his government, told Catalans. “On this day of hope and suffering, Catalonia's
citizens have earned the right to have an independent state in the form of a republic,”
Puigdemont, surrounded by members of his government, told Catalans.“We have
managed to celebrate the referendum on self-determination that the State has strived
to prevent,” Puigdemont said in a statement from the Palau de la Generalitat.

Impact: Allowing Catalonian independence upholds democracy

Zabala, Santiago. “The Catalan Crisis Is Not Just about Nationalism.” Catalonia | Al
Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 19 Oct. 2017, www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/catalan-
crisis-nationalism-171019101108496.html.

What is important to understand now is that there is more than just blind nationalism in
the Catalan impasse, despite what Madrid and Brussels want us to believe. The Catalan
call for independence should not be discredited; it is the rightful demand of millions of
Catalans. But one must wonder why most articles about this crisis focus exclusively on
the historical roots of Catalonian statehood, free citizens' democratic right to vote,
and the inclusive character of Catalonia's nationalism, which is open to foreigners. As
noble as these historical and democratic arguments are, it is important to emphasise, as
Owen Jones rightly pointed out, that "Catalonia cannot be understood in isolation. Here
is another manifestation of the crisis enveloping the western world". This is a crisis of
governance in which citizens no longer trust their governments and governments have
turned their backs on the people.

Champion Briefs 140

Analysis: This is a good argument because it can outweigh any other argument on a principled
level. Even if it is true that Catalonia secession will result in more harm than good in a
pragmatic sense, we need to make sure rights are not being violated first and foremost. A
rejection of the will of the people of Catalonia denies their right to democratic representation
and thus cannot be justified under any circumstance.
Champion Briefs 141

A/2: Catalonian independence upholds democratic values
Answer: It is not clear that most people in Catalonia want independence

Warrant: Before the referendum, a minority of people supported independence

Guntermann, Eric. “Analysis | The Myth of Massive Support for Independence in
Catalonia.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 11 Oct. 2017,
www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/10/11/the-myth-of-
massive-support-for-independence-in-catalonia/?utm_term=.b8fc0da4ecb3.

Last week, Catalonia held a controversial referendum on whether it should secede from
Spain. The vote was accompanied by a heavy-handed police crackdown that may have
prevented some Catalans from voting. Nevertheless, the Catalan regional government
declared that more than 90 percent of Catalans had voted for independence — even
though the Spanish Constitutional Court had ruled that the referendum was illegal.
These events — and particularly the disputed results of the referendum — give the
impression that Catalans are clamoring for independence. But this is wrong. Before
the referendum, a minority of Catalans supported independence. The most recent
survey by the Catalan government’s Center for Opinion Studies (CEO), which was
conducted in July, showed that only a minority of Catalans (35 percent) supported
independence. The graph below plots the trend in support of independence based on
CEO surveys going back to 2006.

Warrant: Turnout for the referendum was low

Champion Briefs 142

Reuters. “Catalan Government Says 90 Percent Voted to Leave Spain.” CNBC, CNBC, 2
Oct. 2017, www.cnbc.com/2017/10/01/catalan-independence-referendum-
government-says-90-percent-voted-to-leave-spain.html.

Catalonia's regional leader opened the door to a unilateral declaration of independence
from Spain on Sunday after voters defied a violent police crackdown and, according to
regional officials, voted 90 percent in favor of breaking away. Despite Spanish police
using batons and rubber bullets to disrupt the banned referendum, which was
declared unconstitutional by Madrid, the Catalan government said 2.26 million people
had cast ballots, a turnout of about 42 percent. Carles Puigdemont's comments
followed a television address by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy who ruled out
independence and accused separatists of trying to "blackmail ...the whole nation". He
offered all-party talks on the region's future. Catalan officials say more than 800 people
were injured in clashes with Spanish riot police during the referendum, which has
pitched the country into its deepest constitutional crisis in decades and deepened a rift
between Madrid and Barcelona.

Analysis: This is a good response because allowing Catalonia to secede would not be upholding
democratic values if the people don’t even want to be independent. At that point, if we want
to uphold democracy, we ought to have another referendum or at least have some other
method of ensuring that the majority of people in Catalonia support secession. Until then, we
cannot use the will of the people as a justification for independence.

Answer: The referendum was illegal

Warrant: It violates the Spanish constitution

Champion Briefs 143

“Why the Referendum on Catalan Independence Is Illegal.” The Economist, The

Economist Newspaper, 26 Sept. 2017, www.economist.com/blogs/economist-
explains/2017/09/economist-explains-17.

The Catalan regional government of Carles Puigdemont is preparing to hold a
unilateral referendum on seceding from Spain on October 1st, which it says will be
legally binding. Catalans will be asked whether they want to form an independent
republic. But there is a problem: Spain’s democratic constitution of 1978, which was
approved by more than 90% of Catalan voters, gave wide autonomy to the regions but
affirmed “the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation”. Only the Spanish parliament
can change the constitution. Mr Puigdemont’s referendum is therefore illegal, and
Mariano Rajoy, Spain’s conservative prime minister, is determined to prevent it taking
place. Home to 7.5m people (16% of the total) and accounting for 19% of national GDP,
Catalonia is one of Spain’s richer regions. It has formed an integral part of Spain since
the 16th century (and of the Kingdom of Aragón before that), but it has its own
language and culture. Until recently Catalan nationalists were content with home rule.
Two things combined to increase support for independence. First, Spain’s Constitutional
Tribunal rejected parts of a new statute that would have given Catalonia more
autonomy. More importantly, nationalist politicians in Barcelona succeeded in
deflecting against Madrid popular anger at the austerity that followed the bursting of
Spain’s housing and financial bubble in 2009.

Warrant: The courts ruled it illegal

“Spain's Top Court Rules Catalonia's Independence Referendum Illegal.” ABC News, 17
Oct. 2017, www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-18/catalonia:-spains-top-court-rules-
referendum-illegal/9060092.

Champion Briefs 144

Spain's top court has officially ruled that Catalonia's disputed independence
referendum was illegal because a regional law that backed it was against the country's
constitution. The Catalan regional parliament passed the so-called "self-determination
referendum law" in early September, and regional leaders went on to stage the October
1 referendum on whether the region should separate from Spain. They say the poll
turned back an affirmative response and that the result gave the region a mandate to
declare independence. Spain's Constitutional Court had earlier suspended the law
temporarily while judges assessed the Spanish Government's objection to it. In its ruling
on Tuesday, the court said the law was against national sovereignty and the
"indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation" — the court said the parliamentary session
that approved the law also violated the country's constitution. Catalan leaders also
refused on Tuesday to bow to the Spanish Government's demand that it renounce a
symbolic declaration of independence, setting it on a political collision course with
Madrid later this week.

Analysis: This is a good response because if we really want to uphold democracy, we need to
uphold the laws that they create. If the referendum was held illegally, then it is not binding for
the democracy to follow it. This means that in the process of giving the people what they want,
you are doing exactly the opposite, by acting in direct contradiction to laws they already voted
into place.

Champion Briefs 145

Con Arguments with Pro Responses January 2018
CON: Spain's constitutional crisis

Argument: The Catalonia independence movement may tear Spain's constitution apart.

Warrant: Catalonia's independence referendum is challenging Spain's highest courts.

Elyatt, Holly. "Constitutional crisis looms in Spain as Catalonia looks to vote on
independence." CNBC. 9/28/17.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/28/constitutional-crisis-looms-in-spain-as-
catalonia-looks-to-vote-on-independence.html

Despite various attempts by the Spanish government to stop a symbolic referendum on
independence from being held in the wealthy region of Catalonia on Sunday, pro-
separatists look set to hold a vote regardless.
The national government in Madrid has said it will deploy police to prevent an
independence vote on October 1, with orders to take over any polling booths that are
set up. The government and country's constitutional court have ruled that the vote is
unconstitutional, although that has not stopped a past similar "symbolic" vote in
2014.
Madrid has already ordered police raids on regional government offices, seized election
material, and made arrests relating to the vote, but this has not stopped Catalan
officials, who say the vote will take place come what may. Protests have also taken place
in Barcelona, the region's largest city, in response to the police action, with protesters
chanting "We will vote!"

Warrant: Spain has employed a never-used "nuclear option" article of its constitution to take
control of Catalonia.

Champion Briefs 147

Newton, Creede. "What is article 155 of the 1978 Spanish constitution?" Al Jazeera.
10/27/17. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/article-155-spanish-
constitution-171019100117592.html

Spain has approved direct rule in Catalonia after the Catalan parliament declared
independence.
The move gives the government of Mariano Rajoy to trigger Article 155 and rule
Catalonia directly.
Article 155 has often been described as the "nuclear option" and has been rolled out
amid a struggle between Barcelona and Madrid following the Catalan referendum on
October 1. But what is Article 155?
Article 155 is only two short paragraphs of the 1978 Constitution of Spain.
It says that if a regional government "doesn't comply with the obligations of the
Constitution or other laws it imposes, or acts in a way that seriously undermines the
interests of Spain", the national government can ask the Senate to vote on the use of
the measure.
The Constitution states that an absolute majority must approve the article's use.

Impact: With no clear way out, Spain will have to rewrite its constitution.

Ribo, Ignasi. "To solve Catalonia, Spain needs a new constitution." Politico. 11/14/17.
https://www.politico.eu/article/to-solve-catalonia-spain-needs-a-new-
constitution/

The only reasonable way out of Spain’s current crisis over Catalonia is a new
constitution. Recognizing both the right to self-determination and the principle of
territorial integrity would lay the foundation for peaceful coexistence between
Catalan separatists and Spanish unionists.
Champion Briefs 148

The 1978 Spanish constitution resulted from an agreement between very diverse
ideological and territorial interests. After the death of General Francisco Franco, the
Spanish nationalist right was exhausted and unable to sustain an authoritarian regime
that had isolated Spain from Europe and was rejected by the large majority of the
population.

Dissidents from liberal, social democratic and communist factions recognized that they
couldn’t pursue their political agendas without first setting up democratic rules and
institutions that allowed for the expression of political and social plurality, as was
already the case in neighboring European countries. For Catalans and Basques, this also
meant creating a framework for a progressive recovery of self-rule.
The constitution approved in 1978 reflects the compromises made by each of these
parties. It was an ambiguous and rhetorical text, but it was also sufficiently balanced to
provide some degree of institutional stability for almost 40 years.

Analysis: Spain's constitution is in crisis, as Catalonia has defied the highest courts in the
country with its independence referendum. Spain has also been forced to use its "nuclear
option," article 155 of its constitution, to deal with the situation. Spain's constitution's integrity
has been called into question, and many wonder whether the current constitution will survive.
'

Champion Briefs 149

A/2: Spain's constitutional crisis

Answer: Spain's constitution is resilient.

Warrant: Spain is a thriving democracy capable of surviving such a crisis.

Morenes, Pedro. "The maturity of Spain's democracy is on display in Catalonia." The Los
Angeles Times. 11/10/17. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-ol-
spain-catalonia-separatists-20171110-story.html

You use the adjective “Franco-style” to describe the response of the government of
Spain to the secessionists’ attempt to break Spain’s sovereignty. It is appalling, offensive
and absolutely out of tune with reality in Spain. The government is enforcing the
Constitution and our laws, thus protecting all Spanish citizens, including those in
Catalonia.
To do so, the Spanish government is invoking Article 155 of the Constitution, an
extraordinary control mechanism known as “federal execution” to be used when a
region does not fulfill its obligations under the Constitution or other laws, or when it
acts in a way that seriously harms the general interests of the country. This
mechanism is not unique to Spain — in fact, President Eisenhower invoked the
principle in 1957 to fight racial segregation in Little Rock, Ark., and President Kennedy
took a similar approach in Alabama in 1963.
After a long period of dictatorship and many struggles, Spain has over the last 40-plus
years transformed itself into a thriving democracy, a progressive country that is open
to the world and upholds human rights. Despite this, your editorial emphasizes a long-
gone past. Spain has learned the lessons of that period so well that we lack far-right
representation in both our national and regional parliaments, something that not every
country can say.

Champion Briefs 150

Warrant: Rajoy has called for calm, promised to restore the rule of law.

Parra, Aritz. "Catalan independence: Spanish prime minister Rajoy vows to restore 'rule
of law' after Catalonia's parliament votes for secession." The Independent.
10/27/17. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalan-
independence-spanish-prime-minister-mariano-rajoy-parliament-vote-region-
spain-a8023306.html

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday called for calm in a tweet posted
minutes after the Catalan regional parliament declared independence from the rest of
the country in a disputed vote that will likely be declared illegal.
"I ask for calm from all Spaniards. The rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia,"
Rajoy wrote.
Catalonia's regional parliament passed a motion Friday to establish an independent
Catalan Republic, voting to secede from Spain after an acrimonious debate that saw
opposition lawmakers walk out in protest before the vote.

Analysis: Spain has endured a number of constitutional crises more severe than Catalonia, and
has displayed the resilience to survive in the face of adversity. Using article 155 is
unprecedented, but nothing has happened that would suggest Spain's constitutional integrity is
at risk. Once the rule of law has been effectively restored, as Rajoy has promised, Spain's
constitution will be fine.

Champion Briefs 151

CON: Catalonian migration

Argument: Catalonia cannot independently handle the influx of migrants.

Warrant: Immigrants are concerned that the independence movement won't hear their voices.

Minder, Raphael. "Immigrants have helped set Catalonia apart in Spain." New York
Times. 10/30/12.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/world/europe/catalonias-immigrants-
add-to-separatist-debate.html

It has been good for business. Last month, before a giant rally in neighboring Barcelona
to support independence, Mr. Shen ran out of the Catalan flags he sells as a wholesaler
because customers had snapped up about 10,000 of them in just a week.
But as an immigrant who moved here from Shanghai 20 years ago, he is worried by
the way separatists advance their case for nationhood with claims to a distinct Catalan
national culture, language and identity that set it apart from Spain. “It’s always best to
be part of a larger country, just like having a bigger family to help you,” Mr. Shen said.
Immigrants like Mr. Shen illustrate the complexities of identity in Catalonia, where
they have helped make the economy both the largest among Spain’s regions and the
most diverse, alongside Madrid, with sizable populations of Muslims, Sikhs, Chinese
and others.
As Catalonia prepares for a regional election on Nov. 25 that could become an
unofficial referendum on independence, as many as 1.5 million residents of the
region, out of a total population of 7.5 million, will not be eligible to vote because
they are not Spanish citizens.

Warrant: Catalonia is struggling to deal with migration and xenophobia.
Champion Briefs 152


Burgen, Stephen. "Immigration complicates Catalonia's separatist picture." The
Guardian. 11/20/12.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/20/immigration-complicates-
catalonia-separatist-picture

The influx of millions of immigrants into Spain over the past decade has transformed
parts of Catalonia too, complicating the separatist picture and fanning the uglier side
of nationalist rhetoric.
In 2000 there were just 900,000 foreign residents in Spain. By 2011 the figure had risen
to close to 6 million, or 12% of the population. The biggest single group by nationality is
from Romania, followed by Morocco, Ecuador and Great Britain.
Those in Catalonia face an immediate problem: the language. This has put pressure on
the education system as immigrant children have to learn Catalan before they can be
taught anything else.
Inevitably the bulk of immigrants headed for Barcelona, but it is in some of the smaller
towns, such as Vic, Badalona, Salt, El Vendrell and Tortosa, where the impact has been
felt most and where there has been most conflict. In Vic, where 24% of the population
are immigrants, the town council voted to prevent illegal immigrants from registering
as residents as a means of denying them access to health and other public services.
The decision was overruled by the Catalan government.

Impact: Catalonia's failure to address the migrant crisis will lead to terrorism.

Knipp, Kersten. "Catalonia's Islamic Extremism Problem." The DW. 8/18/17.
http://www.dw.com/en/catalonias-islamic-extremism-problem/a-40155371

Champion Briefs 153

"The threat in Catalonia is clear." With these unflinching words in 2010, made public
by the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, the US State Department was already voicing
concern over the potential for radicalization among young Muslim men in Barcelona.
The city was a "crossroads of worrisome activities," according to the leaked document,
with a large Muslim community of which a small portion was vulnerable to being
recruited by jihadi groups. Migrants from North Africa, Pakistan and Bangladesh had
turned the region into a "magnet for terrorist recruiters," it said.
The day after this week's attacks, Spanish newspapers published numbers illustrating
that danger in the form of statistics. Barcelona, along with Madrid and the autonomous
Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla, has an exceptional number of jihadis. Around a
third of Spain's Muslim population lives in these cities. Between 2012 and 2016, 178
jihadis were apprehended in the entire country; almost four-fifths of them came from
one of these four cities.

Analysis: Catalonia has recently experienced a large surge in migration. Currently, migrants are
struggling to integrate due to the dual-identity of the region, and if Catalonia were to declare
independence, that would only serve as an impediment to integration. As a result, immigration
will continue to be an issue that Catalonia cannot deal with on its own. Migration can also pose
a huge threat to security, which Catalonia cannot handle as effectively without Spain's help. In
short, Catalonia cannot survive this wave of migration without assistance from Madrid.

Champion Briefs 154

A/2: Catalonian migration

Answer: Immigration helps Catalonia thrive and survive.

Warrant: Immigrants support independence, have served on the campaign.

Dowsett, Sonya. "Catalans woo immigrants in quest to split from Spain." Reuters.
6/16/17. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-catalonia-
immigration/catalans-woo-immigrants-in-quest-to-split-from-spain-
idUSKBN19711U

With barely three months to go before an independence referendum called for Oct. 1,
naturalized immigrants are taking on an important and prominent role in the
campaign both as activists and supporters.
Catalonia has one of the highest percentages of immigrants in Spain, just under 14
percent of residents are foreign-born, and their votes may gain crucial votes for the
independence movement in what is likely to be a close-run race.
Including them in the movement for nationhood is key says Catalonia’s deputy
governor, Oriol Junqueras. “We want to be a very open and integrated society,” he
told Reuters in Barcelona.
Campaigners are even encouraging migrants without the right to vote to ask work mates
and friends to vote for independence and are advocating Catalan nationality for all
migrants living in the region if it leaves Spain.

Warrant: Diversity is not the issue, it's the solution.

Champion Briefs 155

Lowe, Josh. "Barcelona Attack: 'The problem is not immigration.' says Catalonia's foreign
minister." Newsweek. 8/19/17. http://www.newsweek.com/catalan-foreign-
minister-barcelona-652318

Immigration and a spirit of “coexistence” between cultures are central to Catalonia's
identity, the Spanish region’s foreign minister has said in the wake of attacks on
Barcelona and a nearby town.
“Catalonia, Barcelona in particular, but Catalonia in general is a place of coexistence.
We have had thousands of people coming from different origins. Co-existence has
been the norm… that [is] exactly why it is so attractive,” Raül Romeva, Minister of
Foreign Affairs in the government of Catalonia, tells Newsweek.
“The problem is not the fact that there [are] people of different religions, of different
origins, living together,” Romeva continues, “The problem is that some people perceive
this as a problem. That’s what we need to combat. Not the coexistence itself, but the
perception that it is a problem.”

Analysis: Migration to Catalonia is high because it's a good place to be a migrant. The economy
is strong, and the Catalan have largely welcomed migrants with open arms. Ultimately,
immigration is not seen as a problem in Catalonia, given that it has massive benefits to the
economy. While xenophobia is inevitable, it's also true that the cultural, social, and economic
benefits of migration are inevitable as well, regardless of independence.

Champion Briefs 156

CON: Basque Separatism

Argument: Granting independence to Catalonia would inspire Basque separatists.

Warrant: Basque separatists are watching Catalonia closely.

Elyatt, Holly. "If Catalonia goes independent, these places could be next." CNBC.
10/6/17 https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/06/if-catalonia-goes-independent-
these-places-could-be-next.html

One region of Spain that is certainly watching events in Catalonia with interest is the
Basque Country, an "autonomous community" situated on the north coast of Spain.
Like Catalonia, the Basque Country has its own language and distinct culture. Unlike
Catalonia, it also has a history of some violent separatism with various terrorist
attacks carried out by the nationalist and separatist group Eta. The armed movement
for independence called a ceasefire in 2010 which was made permanent in 2011,
however.
Separatist movements remain a force to be reckoned with in the region, with a
spokesman for the region's largest separatist party - the Basque Nationalist Party –
saying recently that he hopes the region could have its own vote on independence just
like Catalonia.

Warrant: ETA may not respect the ceasefire with Spain if Catalonia is granted independence.

Macleod, Andrew. "The Catalan crisis could cause the collapse of Spain." The
Independent. 10/2/17. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/catalan-crisis-
spain-collapse-independence-referendum-police-violence-voters-civilians-
protests-a7978131.html
Champion Briefs 157


In my discussions with Catalonian people, I found in the past that many don’t want
independence, but they do support the right to vote. Yet some I have spoken to over the
past 36 hours have changed their view.
“If the central government is too afraid to hear our voices,” said one formerly pro-Spain
voice, “I no longer want to part of this country.”
Over on the north-west coast, in Spain’s Basque Country, other independence-minded
people are watching closely. ETA, the Basque terrorist group, has been respecting a
ceasefire for many years. But will they now?

Warrant: Escalations with regions can cause massive instability.

Macleod, Andrew. "The Catalan crisis could cause the collapse of Spain." The
Independent. 10/2/17. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/catalan-crisis-
spain-collapse-independence-referendum-police-violence-voters-civilians-
protests-a7978131.html

Successful modern democracies are built on government’s respecting the will of the
people. Successful modern unions, like Canada, Australia and the present-day UK, are
built on ensuring that the regions want to stay part of the country, not that they will
be forced to stay part of that country. Spain should have gone the persuasion route,
not the force route.
When a government needs to resort to violence that pitches a central government
police force against a regional government police force, things can get very ugly very
quickly indeed.

Analysis: If Basque leaders see that Spain is willing to allow regions to secede, it may rekindle
the independence movement. In particular, the ETA, a violent separatist group, is closely
watching the situation, meaning that the dangerous organization may be reforming.
Champion Briefs 158


A/2: Basque Separatism
Answer: Basque Country isn't pushing for independence.

Warrant: The independence movement has petered out.

Reuters Staff. "The Basque Country: Spain's effective but expensive antidote to
secession." Reuters. 10/9/17. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-
catalonia-basques-anal/the-basque-country-spains-effective-but-expensive-
antidote-to-secession-idUSKBN1CE2G6

Among the verdant mountains of Basque Country, which borders France, a once-
violent campaign for independence has petered out, with generous fiscal autonomy
from Madrid helping to keep popular agitation for independence in check.
“We don’t have that economic resentment,” Aitor Esteban, organizer for the Basque
National Party in Spain’s parliament, told Reuters in an interview at party
headquarters in Bilbao.
“People don’t feel that need to act upon a grievance about money; that makes a big
difference.”
The Catalan government is not calling for a Basque-style deal, insisting instead on
independence after declaring overwhelming support for secession in an Oct. 1
referendum banned by Madrid.

Warrant: Basque leaders are facilitating discussions between Spain and Catalonia.

Duarte, Esteban. "Basques are working back channels between Catalans and Spain."
Bloomberg News. 10/11/17. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-
10-11/basques-are-said-to-work-back-channel-between-catalans-and-spain
Champion Briefs 159


The Basque Country’s ruling party is acting as an interlocutor between Spain’s central
government and the Catalan regional executive in a bid to reduce tension and find a
compromise, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Senior officials from the Basque Nationalist Party, known as the PNV, have been trying
to find common ground between Madrid and Barcelona to limit the fallout from the
biggest institutional clash of Spain’s democratic era, said the people, who asked not to
be named because the matter is confidential.

Answer: ETA is no longer a threat.

Warrant: ETA has surrendered its weapons.

"'It has been done.' Eta hands over weapons in France.' The Guardian. 4/7/17.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/08/it-has-been-done-eta-hands-
over-weapons-in-france

The Basque separatist group Eta, which has promised to give up all its remaining arms
by Saturday, has handed over the weapons to members of “civil society” in France,
one member of the group has said.
“We have the political and technical responsibility for Eta’s disarmament, and it has
been done,” Txetx Etcheverry, a Basque environmentalist, said on Friday.
“Eta has handed over its weapons to civil society. They are on French soil,” he said.
Etcheverry gave no other details about the purported arms transfer or the contents of
the arsenal itself, saying they were “confidential”.
But on Saturday morning sources told AFP that Eta had given the French police a list of
12 arms caches in southwestern France.
The caches were located in the departments, or counties, of the Gers, Pyrenees-
Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrenees, they said.
Champion Briefs 160


Analysis: Not only has the independence movement all but ended, but they have also
surrendered their weapons, ceremonially putting the conflict to rest. Most in Basque Country
are tired of fighting for independence after years of bloody conflict, meaning that Catalonia
gaining independence would likely not change anything for them.

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CON: Catalonian independence hurts the Spanish Economy

Argument: Spain gains a lot from Catalonia because it is one of the most prosperous regions of
the country. If Catalonia were to leave, Spain would lose access to much of the gains that
Catalonia provides, which would certainly cause Spain’s economy to decline in the process.

Warrant: Spain will lose revenue from exports

Tubau, David. “The Economics of Catalan Secession From Spain — Global Politics.”
Global Politics, 16 Sept. 2017, global-politics.co.uk/wp/2017/08/04/economics-
catalan-secession-spain/.

One year on from the Brexit vote, Europe’s economy faces yet another monumental
challenge in the shape of the Catalan independence referendum. There are doubts as to
whether the referendum will go ahead; a referendum on independence was held in
2014, but after the Spanish constitutional court annulled it, the referendum went ahead
as a non-binding plebiscite. The Spanish government has pledged again to do all it can to
block the vote. In the event of a Catalan secession there would undoubtedly be much
to worry about economically for both Catalonia and Spain, as well as for the member
states of the European Union. Catalonia is the main driving force of the Spanish
economy and accounts for around 20% of Spanish GDP. Such a loss in production
would represent an insurmountable challenge for the Spanish economy to face. Hence
the national government’s resolute opposition to a binding referendum on the issue.
Furthermore, Catalonia accounts for 25% of total exports from Spain while the capital
of Madrid only makes up 11% of that total. These figures stand as firm evidence of
the economic muscle that Catalonia has in its hands, and as a stark reminder to the
Spanish government of what they may lose if a secession were to proceed.

Champion Briefs 162

Warrant: Spain will miss out on tourism revenue

Press, Associated. “For Spanish, Catalan Economies, No Winners in Standoff.” VOA, VOA,
29 Oct. 2017, www.voanews.com/a/spain-catalonia-economies-
suffer/4090821.html.

Tourism seems to be taking the biggest hit so far. Experts say spending in the sector in
Catalonia in the first two weeks of October — that is, following the independence
referendum — was down 15 percent from a year earlier. Tourism represents about 11
percent of Spain’s 1.1-trillion euro ($1.3 trillion) gross domestic product, with
Catalonia and its capital, Barcelona, providing a fifth of that, being the most popular
destinations for visitors. Exceltur, a nonprofit group formed by the 25 leading Spanish
tourist groups, expects growth in tourism this year to ease from an estimated 4.1
percent to 3.1 percent. Reservations in Barcelona alone are down 20 percent
compared with last year, it said. If the trend continues in the final three months of the
year, it could lead to losses of up to 1.2 billion euros ($1.41 billion) in the sector, which
in turn could affect jobs. Analysts fear that the independence movement’s stated aim
of continuing to create as much social and economic chaos for Spain as possible could
exacerbate the situation. The Catalan National Assembly group has been openly talking
about a boycott against Spain’s top companies and major strike activity.

Warrant: Spain would lose a fifth of its economy and risk another Eurozone Crisis

Petroff, Alana. “Catalonia vs. Spain: Here's What Could Happen Next.” CNNMoney,
Cable News Network, 5 Oct. 2017,
money.cnn.com/2017/10/04/news/economy/catalonia-independence-spain-
business/index.html.

Champion Briefs 163

Experts said the most dangerous scenario for business would be an unsanctioned
separation. Businesses in Catalonia would face the prospect of operating in a newly
independent state with no formal trade agreements, a situation even more serious than
Brexit, said Carsten Hesse, a European economist at Berenberg Bank. Catalonia
accounts for nearly a fifth of Spain's economy, and it leads all regions in producing
25% of the country's exports. "It would affect the Spanish economy pretty significantly
at a time when Spain has been recovering from its [economic] crisis," said Megan
Greene, chief economist at Manulife Asset Management. In this scenario, investors
could stop buying Catalan and Spanish debt and government financing costs would
spike. Spain could go into a recession and risks could spread across Europe, said Greene.
"This could bring back the eurozone crisis in a worst-case scenario," she said. The
Catalan government offered a rosier picture, saying that it would do everything possible
to help regional businesses. "We believe that in any of the scenarios that can be opened
now, we can work to guarantee the correct business operation. There are many
mechanisms which can guarantee the same characteristics and conditions of trade
relations [as] now," said Joan Romero, head of Catalonia's trade and investment
division.

Impact: Spain is seeing a massive increase in unemployment

Day, Paul. “Catalonia Unemployment Jumps as Political Crisis Drags On.” Reuters,
Thomson Reuters, 3 Nov. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-
economy/catalonia-unemployment-jumps-as-political-crisis-drags-on-
idUSKBN1D30T4.

Almost 2,000 companies based in Catalonia moved their legal headquarters out of the
region in October after an independence vote banned by Madrid that led to the central
government sacking regional authorities and taking control. The number of people in
Champion Briefs 164

Spain registering as jobless rose for the third straight month by 1.67 percent in
October from a month earlier, or by 56,844 people, leaving 3.47 million people out of
work, data from the Labour Ministry showed. Of that, Catalonia saw unemployment
rise by 3.67 percent, or 14,698 people, the largest loss of jobs amongst all the regions
and compared to a just 0.08 percent rise in jobless in the region of Madrid. The Bank
of Spain warned on Thursday that uncertainty due to the independence drive, if it
persists, could lead to slower economic growth and lower job creation in the next few
months. October often sees a continuation of rising unemployment after the summer
tourist sector lays off temporary workers in hotels and restaurants. Registered jobless
rose strongest in the service sector, with a 2.2 percent monthly rise, or by 50,885
people, followed by agriculture, marking the end of summer harvests, up 5.83 percent,
or 9,194 people.

Analysis: This argument is good because it is really easy to outweigh any pro argument that can
be made about how Catalonia’s economy is helped because there are so many more people in
Spain than Catalonia. This means it is easy to outweigh on scope. It is also easy to outweigh on
magnitude because the people in Catalonia are already largely well-off so they don't need the
help as much as many of the people in Spain.
Champion Briefs 165

A/2: Catalonian independence hurts the Spanish economy

Answer: Spain can bounce back

Warrant: Spain’s exports have resurged

Pauly, Christoph. “Back from the Brink: Spain Emerges as Model for Europe - SPIEGEL
ONLINE - International.” SPIEGEL ONLINE, SPIEGEL ONLINE, 25 Mar. 2015,
www.spiegel.de/international/europe/how-spain-recovered-from-the-
economic-crisis-a-1025327.html.

It was exports, and not domestic demand, that lifted Spain out of the worst economic
crisis since the civil war in the 1930s. "Ninety percent of our Mercedes vans and trucks,
which we produce in two plants in the Basque region, head outside of the country,"
López says. The model being emulated by the country during its upturn is unmistakable.
During the crisis, Spain copied the German economic model, successfully putting its
emphasis on exports. In 2014, almost one third of Spanish goods and services were
shipped outside of the country. 25,000 new jobs were created in the Spanish car
factories of Opel, Seat, Renault, Ford and Nissan alone. Once the unions consented to
making production more flexible, Mercedes invested €190 million ($208 million) in the
factories. "We've been on the move," says López, who also once worked in Stuttgart.
The European Central Bank is predicting that Spain will be one of the economic drivers
of Europe in 2015. Powered by a cheap euro and low interest, economic growth is
predicted to rise by 2.3 percent this year. The Spanish government is expecting one
million additional jobs for 2014 and 2015.

Warrant: Spain has gotten back to a pre-crisis unemployment

Champion Briefs 166

Goodman, Peter S. “Spain’s Long Economic Nightmare Is Finally Over.” The New York
Times, The New York Times, 28 July 2017,
www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/business/spain-europe-economy-recovery-
unemployment.html.

The bustling activity at the SEAT auto factory in this industrial town just west of
Barcelona attests to the new reality coloring life in Spain. The economy is growing again,
expanding at around 3 percent pace over the last year, producing goods for export,
generating jobs and restoring a sense of normalcy to a nation that has been saturated in
despair. This is good news not merely for Spain, but for Europe and the rest of the global
economy. For most of the last decade, Spain has suffered as an extreme example of
the economic carnage that has assailed the 19 nations sharing the common European
currency. Its astonishing levels of unemployment, which peaked at 26 percent, stood
as a prominent marker of the desperation inflicted by the implosion of its real estate
investment bubble, combined with the global financial crisis. Now, Spain’s economy
has returned to its pre-crisis size, according to data released by the government on
Friday. This seemingly puts the finish to one of the worst economic catastrophes to play
out in Europe in the years since World War II. It suggests that the continent, still
grappling with formidable, even existential challenges, has finally achieved recovery.

Analysis: This is a good response because even if your opponents prove that Spain will be hurt
by the secession of Catalonia, in the long run they will be able to alleviate the economic loses
because it is clear Spain was able to do it in the past. This means that a short term economic
risk is not that problematic, especially compared to any long term concrete impacts presented
on your side.

Answer: Catalonia’s economy will be helped

Warrant: Catalonia will gain more control over tax revenue and spending
Champion Briefs 167


Benavides, Lucia. “The Big Reason Catalonia Wants to Secede May Be Economic: It's One
of the Richest Regions in Spain.” Marketplace, Marketplace,
www.marketplace.org/2017/09/29/economy/big-reason-catalonia-wants-
secede-economic-richest-regions-in-spain.

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called on separatist leaders to stop what he
calls “disobedience” and an “escalation of radicalism.” He said the vote goes against
Spain’s constitution that states the country is indivisible. Economics professor Elisenda
Paluzie said Catalan residents represent about 16 percent of the country’s population.
Yet these same residents contribute 20 percent of Spain’s taxes, and then receive 14
percent back for public expenses. She said Catalonia is economically important for
Spain, and if it were to secede, “they lose a territory that’s relatively rich and
contributes a lot to taxes.” Paluzie said the 2008 economic crisis helped increase
separatist sentiment in Catalonia – the region experienced the highest budget cuts.
Then, in 2010, Catalonia sought a statute that would have allowed it to collect its own
taxes – much like the system in another autonomous region of Spain, the Basque
Country. The Spanish government rejected that. “It was seen as an aggression to the
capacity of Catalans that had done everything under the legal way,” she said. And in the
case of secession, Paluzie said Catalonia is economically viable without Spain: its GDP is
around that of Denmark’s, and its GDP per capita is higher than Spain’s.

Warrant: Catalonia could have a very successful economy on their own

Alexander, Harriet. “Why Does Catalonia Want Independence from Spain?” The
Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 5 Oct. 2017,
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/does-catalonia-want-independence-spain/.

Champion Briefs 168

Secession would therefore cost Spain almost 20 per cent of its economic output, and
trigger a row about how Catalonia would return 52.5 billion euros of debt it owes to the
country’s central administration. It would have a gross domestic product of $314 billion
(£195bn), according to calculations by the OECD, which would make it the 34th largest
economy in the world. That would make it bigger than Portugal or Hong Kong. Its GDP
per capita would be $35,000, which would make it wealthier than South Korea, Israel
or Italy. And Catalonia's contribution to the Spanish economy is twice that of
Scotland’s to the UK.

Analysis: This is a good response because even if Spain’s economy is hurt, if Catalonia’s is
helped this matters more because they are the ones who should have control over their
finances. It is not up to Catalonia to look out for the well-being of Spain, so if Catalonia is
helped that automatically matters more than if Spain is hurt.

Champion Briefs 169

CON: Catalonian independence hurts the Catalonian

Economy

Argument: If Catalonia were to leave Spain, it would hurt their economy in many more ways
than it would help. They will lose out on so many advantages that come with being a part of
the Spanish economy and it will make it much harder for them to integrate into the global
economy with other partners absent Spain’s help.

Warrant: Businesses are scared of instability

Stothard, Michael. “Business Fears Economic Fallout from Catalonia Confrontation.”
Financial Times, 7 Feb. 2017, www.ft.com/content/376ea180-a293-11e7-9e4f-
7f5e6a7c98a2.

Business in Catalonia has warned that political instability, violence and legal
uncertainty could deter investment and hurt the economy, as tensions escalate ahead
of the region’s planned independence referendum on Sunday. The region, one of
Spain’s richest, has an economy the size of Portugal and its government has promised to
declare independence within 48 hours of a Yes vote — despite Spanish courts ruling the
referendum illegal and Madrid’s plans to prevent the vote. Executives in Barcelona, the
region’s political and business capital, have raised concerns over the rapid escalation
in tensions. “Decisions are not being taken and investments are already being
postponed,” said Borja García-Nieto, the chief executive of local private equity group
Riva y García. “This is already bad for the economy, and the problems are potentially
just starting.” The confrontation between the Madrid authorities and the regional
government sets the stage for Spain’s most serious constitutional crisis since an abortive
Champion Briefs 170

coup nearly 40 years ago. Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to take to the
street on the day of the referendum to prevent the police from carrying out orders to
stop the voting.

Warrant: Investors are scared of instability

Minder, Raphael. “Crisis in Catalonia: The Independence Vote and Its Fallout.” The New
York Times, The New York Times, 26 Sept. 2017,
www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/world/europe/spain-catalonia-
referendum.html?_r=0.

An independent Catalonia would be a midsize European nation, with Barcelona as its
capital. Economists disagree over whether withdrawal would hurt the region
significantly, or instead weaken the rest of Spain. But they agree that there would be
short-term economic costs as the two sides adjusted, even if the split took place on
friendly terms. Much would depend on the financial and political terms under which
Catalonia left, including how Spain’s debt burden would be apportioned and whether
Madrid would impose economic sanctions on Catalonia. The constitutional crisis is
sowing jitters. Investors have been withdrawing funds and significantly raising the risk
premium they demand for holding Spanish and Catalan debt. . In October, the
government reduced its forecast for national economic growth in 2018 to 2.3 percent
from 2.6 percent. Since the referendum, more than 2000 companies, including
CaixaBank and Sabadell, have moved their legal headquarters outside Catalonia. The
corporate concerns also stem from the big question of whether Catalonia would be
allowed to become a member state of the European Union and use the euro. That
issue is complicated by the fact that the most radical Catalan separatist party wants
nothing to do with the currency.

Warrant: Spain could block Catalonia’s entrance to the EU
Champion Briefs 171


Emmott, Robin. “Independent Catalonia Would Need to Apply to Join EU: Juncker.”
Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 14 Sept. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-
politics-eu/independent-catalonia-would-need-to-apply-to-join-eu-juncker-
idUSKCN1BP210.

Catalonia’s parliament has laid the ground for a referendum on independence from
Madrid on Oct. 1, although Spain’s Constitutional Court has suspended the vote. Judges
are now considering whether the legislation contravenes Spain’s constitution. “If there
were to be a ‘yes’ vote in favor of Catalan independence, then we will respect that
opinion. But Catalonia will not be able to be an EU member state on the day after such a
vote,” Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said on YouTube and broadcast by
Euronews. Echoing a stance made by his predecessor, Jose Manuel Barroso, Juncker
said any newly independent state must follow the same EU membership procedures
as all aspirants, citing Scotland and, in jest, his home country, Luxembourg. “If northern
Luxembourg were to cede from the south, the same rules would apply,” Juncker said.
The EU’s accession negotiations are an arduous process that involve complying with all
EU standards and rules and winning the consent of all EU governments. This means that
Spain would be able to block Catalonia’s EU accession if it wished. Croatia was the last
country to join the EU, in 2013 after first applying for membership in 2003.

Impact: Catalonia is seeing a massive increase in unemployment

Badcock, James. “Catalonia Crisis Leaves 15,000 Unemployed as Ousted Leader Hit with
European Arrest Warrant.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 3 Nov. 2017,
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/03/arrest-warrant-issued-carles-
puigdemont-madrid-lawyer-says-will/.

Champion Briefs 172

Catalonia lost 15,000 jobs in October, according to figures released on Friday, as the
economic impact from the political crisis in Spain's wealthiest region began to be felt.
In a month that saw an unlawful referendum marked by police violence followed by a
declaration of independence and the removal of Mr Puigdemont’s government of
Catalonia, unemployment among Catalans rose by 3.67 per cent, the biggest rise in
any of Spain’s 17 regions. It came as a Spanish judge issued a European arrest warrant
for ousted leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his former aides, all of whom are
currently in Brussels. National Court investigating judge Carmen Lamela filed the
request with the Belgian prosecutor to detain the five, and issued separate international
search and arrest warrants to alert Europol in case they flee Belgium. According to the
judge, the five are being sought for five different crimes, including rebellion, sedition
and embezzlement in a Spanish investigation into their roles in pushing for secession for
Catalonia. Puigdemont and his aides flew to Brussels after Spanish authorities removed
him and his Cabinet from office Saturday for demanding independence. The Spanish
government has also called an early regional election for Dec. 21.

Analysis: This argument is good because it can counteract basically any affirmative ground. It is
really hard to make a principled argument about why Catalonia should have the right to
independence or that allowing them to secede will protect their culture when there are
tangible harms to the people of Catalonia. Also, it very easily counteracts any argument about
how Catalonia’s economy might be improved.
Champion Briefs 173

A/2: Catalonian independence hurts the Catalonian economy

Answer: Catalonia will gain more control of its economy

Warrant: Catalonia will have more control over their taxes

López Tena, Alfons. “Here Are the Economics of a Catalan Secession from Spain.”
Business Insider, Business Insider, 24 Feb. 2016,
www.businessinsider.com/economics-of-catalan-secession-from-spain-2016-2.

The independent Catalonia is recognized by Spain, becomes a full EU member- state,
enters the UN and all the international organizations, assumes its rights and obligations
under the existing treaties, etc. In this case few are the economic impacts on economics
since almost everything goes on as usual. Catalonia would gain full control of its own
taxes, hence around €16 billion ($21 billion) wouldn’t be siphoned off by Spain every
year; economic policies best suited to Catalan needs may be developed if voters
choose wisely; and both parts take their fair share of former Spain’s public assets and
debt in application of the Vienna Convention of 1983. Spain’s only loss should be the
fore-mentioned Catalan taxes, around 2% of Spanish GDP every year: a big but not an
overwhelming blow.

Warrant: Catalonia currently gives more in taxes in Spain than they get back in benefits

“Could Catalonia Make a Success of Independence?” BBC News, BBC, 10 Oct. 2017,
www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41474674.

Champion Briefs 174

"Madrid nos roba" is a popular secessionist slogan - "Madrid is robbing us." The
received wisdom is that comparatively wealthy Catalonia pays in more than it gets out
of the Spanish state Catalonia is certainly rich compared with other parts of Spain. It is
home to just 16% of the Spanish population, but 19% of its GDP and more than a
quarter of Spain's foreign exports. It punches above its weight in terms of tourism too -
18 million of Spain's 75 million tourists chose Catalonia as their primary destination last
year, easily the most visited region. Tarragona has one of Europe's largest chemical
hubs. Barcelona is one of the EU's top 20 ports by weight of goods handled. About a
third of the working population has some form of tertiary education. It's also true that
Catalans pay more in taxes than is spent on their region. In 2014, the last year the
Spanish government has figures for, Catalans paid nearly €10bn (£8.9bn) more in taxes
than reached their region in public spending. Would an independent Catalonia get the
difference back? Some have argued that even if Catalonia gained a tax boost from
independence, that might get swallowed up by having to create new public institutions
and run them without the same economies of scale. And some argue that it makes
sense for the state to redistribute money from richer to poorer regions in this way.

Analysis: This is a good response because it proves that Catalonia’s economy will be able to
bounce back from a short term decline in productive capacity because the government will be
better able to deal with problems as they arise if they gain more control and autonomy over
their taxes and spending.

Answer: Catalonia can hold its own

Warrant: Catalonia has successful investment in technology and education

Champion Briefs 175


The region concentrates around half of all of Spain's chemical production, with a major
hub in Tarragona. According to the sector's regional federation, turnover in Catalonia is
higher than in Austria or Denmark. In 2016, the region was also the second car producer
in Spain after Castilla y Leon. Nissan and Volkswagen, via its brand Seat, have factories
there. Spain is the second-biggest vehicle maker in the EU after Germany. Since the
1990s, Catalonia has invested in research, particularly in bioscience - genetics,
neuroscience, cell biology - and the sector now represents seven percent of its GDP.
With many cutting-edge hospitals and research centres, including in the nuclear sector
with a particle accelerator, the region says it is number one in Europe for
pharmaceutical companies per capita. New technology is also very present in
Barcelona, which every year hosts the Mobile World Congress. Catalan universities are
among the best in the country: of the top five Spanish universities in the widely
watched annual ranking compiled by the independent Shanghai Ranking Consultancy,
three are Catalan. These are Pompeu Fabra, the University of Barcelona and the
Autonomous University of Barcelona. Its business schools - Esade and IESE - are well
known and Barcelona also has big publishing houses.

Warrant: Catalonia can bounce back

Romei, Valentina. “Catalonia’s Economic Strength Fuels Independence Push.” Financial
Times, 28 Sept. 2017, www.ft.com/content/62118282-a35a-11e7-b797-
b61809486fe2.

According to the World Bank’s ease of doing business survey, it takes 153 days to deal
with construction permits in Catalonia, compared with 250 in the neighbouring region of
Aragón and 300 in the western region of Galicia. In Catalonia, it takes 118 days to start a
small or medium enterprise compared with about 190 days in the provinces of
Cantabria and Extremadura. Catalonia’s GDP, industrial production and construction all
Champion Briefs 176

contracted at a steeper rate than that of Spain for most of 2008 and 2009. However,
GDP growth outpaced that of Spain from 2012 until the end of last year. Business
confidence expanded at one of the fastest regional rates since 2013 and
unemployment is dropping more rapidly, particularly among young jobseekers. A
majority of under-25s in Catalonia were unemployed in 2012, showing the depth of
the crisis but about 2 percentage points below the national average. Last year, youth
unemployment rate dropped to 34 per cent in the region, more than 10 percentage
points below the national average but still 15 percentage points above the EU
average.

Analysis: This is a good response because it Catalonia has shown that it has the infrastructure
to move forward as a successful economy and it has proven capable of doing so in the past
means that even if there are short term harms to the Catalonian economy, in the long run they
will end up stronger. At best for your opponents this takes out the argument, and at worst it is
a reason to vote for you.

Champion Briefs 177


CON: Harming the European Union

Argument: A Catalonian split from Spain would have a number of detriments to the European
Union, from a loss in international legitimacy to economic downturn.

Warrant: Catalonian independence would likely force them out of the EU’s single market

“Catalonia, Spain and the economic consequences of a split.” The Conversation. N.p., 28
Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017. <https://theconversation.com/catalonia-spain-and-
the-economic-consequences-of-a-split-85557>.

A key factor is whether Catalonia could gain independence and remain in the EU. If
Catalonia were to remain as part of the EU, not much would change for either side. If
it were required to remain outside the EU for a period of time, it would need to
negotiate trade agreements with the new Spanish state and the rest of the EU. Despite
the inevitable transition costs for both sides, there may also be some benefits to a split.
The new Spanish state would lose a dynamic economy with better economic indicators
than its average in terms of GDP, unemployment, exports and innovation. But this may
trigger greater economic development and modernisation in its remaining regions. The
new Spanish state may gain in the long run if the preferences of its citizens are more
homogeneous and better aligned with the central government than at present.
Needless to say, prior to independence, both parties may have vested interests in
using economic and non-economic threats against each other. After secession,
however, mutually beneficial agreements would unavoidably be pursued. In any case,
both new states are viable, and they could well be better off in the long run.

Champion Briefs 178

Warrant: The European Union has been ignoring the ongoing situation in Catalan, and refusing
to condemn Spanish violence

Millar, Joey. “Catalonia could BRING DOWN EU: Brussels warned NOT to wash its hands
or risk its FUTURE.” Express UK. 4 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/862100/catalonia-independence-
referendum-european-union-eu-catalonia>.

THE CATALONIA referendum could spark the end of the European Union (EU) if
Brussels continues to wash its hands of violent voting day scenes last weekend. The
European Union has issued half-hearted condemnations of the violent scenes which
saw Spanish police attack Catalonians attempting to vote in Sunday’s referendum. And
with Brussels ignoring calls to mediate the situation, which has seen thousands of
people protest against police brutality, Catalan officials have now hit out the bloc over
its cowardly silence. Amadeu Altafaj, the Catalan government’s Brussels representative,
said the EU’s “credibility and reputation” was being damaged by its solidarity with
Spain. And he said the horrific scenes last weekend, in which more than 800 people
were injured by heavily-armed national guards, showed the EU “is not able to protect”
its citizens.

Warrant: The loss of Catalan from the single-market economy would mean increased price for
Catalonian imports

Martin, Will. “A Catalan split from Spain could be even worse than Brexit.” Business
Insider. 2 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://www.businessinsider.com/catalonia-split-spain-economic-impact-ing-
2017-9>.

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Consumer uncertainty would be followed by uncertainty around business investments

in the region, Minne suggested, saying: "For business investment, uncertainty might
even be more important than for consumers as any perception of political instability
could affect foreign investment far more than local investment." Declaring
independence from Spain would automatically mean that Catalonia would have to
leave the European Union, which would inevitably cause issues around its
membership of the EU's single market. "Most foreign companies, as well as Catalan
ones, fear falling out of the European single market," Minne wrote. "A consequence
would be that investment could be delayed or redirected outside the region."
"Probably the most impacted companies are those exporting to the EU. The EU
accounted for 65% of exports and 70% of foreign investment in Catalonia over the last
three years," Minne continued, citing the chart below:

Impact: The EU’s reputation is likely to take a huge hit should this situation persist, which will
be damaging to its international legitimacy

Millar, Joey. “Catalonia could BRING DOWN EU: Brussels warned NOT to wash its hands
or risk its FUTURE.” Express UK. 4 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/862100/catalonia-independence-
referendum-european-union-eu-catalonia>.

He told Politico: “The credibility and the reputation of the European Union is at stake.
“The Catalan government calls for an urgent international mediation, preferably
European. “If the EU is not able to protect 7.5 million of its citizens from violence and
repression, it will fail not only to them but to the whole union.” He pleaded for the EU
to provide support in “stopping police repression” and to restore “institutional
normality, for instance by ensuring normal access to finances by the Catalan
administration is restored”. The EU will today debate the vote although early
indications point towards condemnation, rather than support, for Catalonia. Spain's
Champion Briefs 180

Madrid government said the vote was unconstitutional and illegal, a stance echoed by
Brussles. European Parliament president Antonia Tajani confirmed the debate in a tweet
which read: “I spoke to Mariano Rajoy. The European Parliament will debate on
constitution, rule of law and fundamental rights in Spain in light of the events in
Catalonia.” The European Commission has weakly claimed the vote was “an internal
matter for Spain”. And frustration is growing in Catalonia about the EU’s lack of
response, with Catalan president Carles Puigdemont appealing for assistance.

Warrant: The Euro may continue to decline in value as there is decreased confidence after the
removal of Catalan from the market

Ivana Kottasová. “Spain loses 20% of its economy if Catalonia splits.” CNN Money. N.p.,
2 Oct 2016. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/29/news/economy/catalonia-independence-
spain-economy/index.html>.

The Spanish region held a controversial independence referendum on Sunday with
major economic implications for the country -- and Europe. Spain's central government
fiercely opposed the referendum, and riot police raided polling stations. Regional
officials said the vast majority of ballots were in favor of independence, but turnout was
relatively low. The euro dropped 0.7% against the dollar on Monday, and the yield on
Spanish 10-year bonds increased. The main stock market in Madrid opened 1.4%
lower before trimming its losses. The vote comes as Spain emerges from nearly a
decade of economic trauma. Catalonia is its most economically productive region.

Analysis: The major strategic benefit of this argument stems from the fact that it has a very
large scope. While many other arguments, both pro and con, are focused on the area of Spain
and Catalan, this argument looks further, in an attempt to measure the impact on the entirety
of the European Union (and by extension, the world). As a result, it is useful to weigh this
argument by comparing the number of people that will be adversely impacted by this decision
with any benefits that the pro may lay claim to.
Champion Briefs 181


A/2: Harming the European Union

Answer: The EU has no control over the situation in Catalonia, and it is ridiculous for anyone to
expect them to handle it

Warrant: The EU has a number of other issues on its plate at the moment, as well as no legal
authority to dictate the situation in Spain

Martin, Garrett. “Why the European Union’s hands are tied over Catalonia.” The
Conversation. N.p.,18 Oct 2017. Web 7 Dec 2017.
<https://theconversation.com/why-the-european-unions-hands-are-tied-over-
catalonia-85661>.

Bad timing First, the conflict over Catalonia’s status comes at a less than ideal time for
the EU. Officials in Brussels are consumed with thorny negotiations over the United
Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, the continuing flow of migrants to Europe, and
challenges to the rule of law in Poland and Hungary, to name just a few issues. There
is crisis fatigue in the EU and limited enthusiasm for trying to put out another fire. A
member state club Second, the EU is not equipped, for legal and political reasons, to
tackle separatist disputes like the one in Catalonia. As journalist Natalie Nougayrède
points out, the EU cannot dictate how member states organize themselves or interact
with their regions. Article 4.2 of the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, which revised the key
constitutional treaties of the EU, states that the EU will not interfere with key state
functions such as “territorial integrity” or “maintaining law and order.” This means
member states still largely dictate the policies of the EU and the member states have
shown no willingness to back the Catalan separatists. This stems, in part, from a feeling
Champion Briefs 182

of solidarity with the state of Spain. Some of the major powers in Europe are also
distracted by major domestic challenges, be it Brexit for the United Kingdom,
reforming the labor market in France or negotiating a new coalition government in
Germany.

Warrant: The EU has a number of other issues on its plate at the moment, as well as no legal
authority to dictate the situation in Spain

Martin, Garrett. “Why the European Union’s hands are tied over Catalonia.” The
Conversation. N.p.,18 Oct 2017. Web 7 Dec 2017.
<https://theconversation.com/why-the-european-unions-hands-are-tied-over-
catalonia-85661>.

Third, even acting as a mediator in Catalonia’s dispute would be a stretch for the EU.
This is not for a lack of experience or success. For example, in the Balkans, the EU
managed to broker a major agreement in 2013, which allowed Serbia and Kosovo to
normalize relations. It also intervened in the midst of a 2015 political crisis in
Macedonia, following revelations that the government had illegally wiretapped many
opposition figures. The 2015 Prižno agreement, mediated by the EU, proposed a
roadmap to de-escalate the situation. But, what worked in that one region cannot be
easily applied to the Catalan case. While the major protagonists in the Balkans
welcomed EU assistance, Spain regards the current dispute as a purely domestic
matter. Whereas the EU had some leverage in the Balkans, either through its financial
aid or the promise of potential membership, it lacks similar clout regarding Spain and
Catalonia. The EU would have little to offer the Catalan separatists to encourage them
to compromise. The EU’s so-called “Prodi doctrine,” named after the former President
of the European Commission, clarifies that any region breaking away from an EU
member state would be automatically kicked out, and would then have to go through
the lengthy application process to have a chance to rejoin. Toothless on the rule of law
Champion Briefs 183

Fourth, focusing on the rule of law and upholding democratic norms could also prove
challenging for the EU in this case. Certainly, some European leaders condemned the
heavy-handed response of the Spanish police during the Oct. 1 vote in Catalonia,
which left hundreds injured. But EU officials equally highlighted that the referendum
was clearly illegal, not in line with good referendum practices and in violation of the
Spanish constitution. Moreover, there is no sign currently that the EU is considering
punishing the Spanish government for its use of force in reaction to the vote. But even if
the situation worsened, and Spain once again resorted to excessive force, the EU lacks
effective tools to hold member states accountable for not living by fundamental
democratic values.

Analysis: If the EU could have no expectation of interfering in Spain, they should take no hit in
international legitimacy. This is a response to one of the links of the pro case, but the economic
argument still stands, so use this in conjunction with the response below.

Answer: The EU will not face economic downturn as a result of the Catalan secession

Warrant: Catalonia will likely be able to join the European Union, and thus there will be no
disruption to trade between the two entities as Catalonia would be a part of the single market
system

McRae, Hamish. “Catalonia could be an extremely successful economy and EU member
state.” The Independent. N.p., 28 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/catalonia-spain-independence-vote-
economy-population-location-trade-currency-a8025051.html>.

There are a string of practical questions. What currency would Catalonia use? It would
probably have to establish its own, as it would be difficult to continue to use the euro,
even informally. In the long run, a separate currency might well to be the country’s
Champion Briefs 184

benefit, for the inflexibility that the euro has imposed on Spain is one of the reasons
why it has such high unemployment. But in the immediate days and months after
independence, this would be very disruptive. It would be difficult for the banks based
there, some of which have said they would relocate their legal headquarters. It would
also be difficult for business and tourism. My guess is that an independent Catalonia
would be welcomed into the EU if it still wanted to rejoin, but that could take a
decade. In the meantime we are seeing hostility from the EU. As for the other major
countries, while their present stance of not recognising Catalonia is quite
understandable and correct, if and when the country became truly independent, they
have no option but to accept reality. But – and this is important – there is a
considerable economic cost to political disruption on this scale. The call for calm by
Catalonia’s sacked leader Carles Puigdemont is sensible and strikes a helpful tone. Let’s
see what happens. But if the end does turn out to be a new European country, then in
another decade it is likely to be a prosperous one.
Analysis: If Catalonia is able to rejoin the single-market system, there will be no economic
downturn for the European Union. This removes the second link of the pro case, and should be
used in tandem with the first responses.

Champion Briefs 185


CON: Harming the Spanish Economy

Argument: If Catalonia successfully declares independence from Spain, it would do severe
damage to the Spanish economy. As Spain is an important player in the Eurozone, this has the
potential to be extremely problematic on a continental scale.

Warrant: Catalonia accounts for a large portion of the Spanish economy and is an important
area for incoming investment

2 Oct 2016. Web. 7 Dec 2017.

Richer on their own? Catalonia accounts for nearly a fifth of Spain's economy, and
leads all regions in producing 25% of the country's exports. It contributes much more
in taxes (21% of the country's total) than it gets back from the government.
Independence supporters have seized on the imbalance, arguing that stopping transfers
to Madrid would turn Catalonia's budget deficit into a surplus. Catalonia has a proven
record of attracting investment, with nearly a third of all foreign companies in Spain
choosing the regional capital of Barcelona as their base. Volkswagen (VLKAY) and
Nissan (NSANF), for example, both have plants near Barcelona.

Warrant: Catalonia accounts for a large part of Spain’s GDP and is extremely valuable as a large
exporting area

Champion Briefs 186

“Can Spain's economy survive a Catalan secession?” Al Jazeera. N.p., 30 Sep 2017. Web.
<http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/spain-economy-survive-catalan-
secession-170930163702214.html>.

Catalonia, whose leaders are pushing for a split from Spain in a banned referendum on
Sunday, is one of the powerhouses of the Spanish economy. The region, in the
northeast of Spain, is buoyed by industry, research and tourism - but burdened with a
heavy debt. Catalonia accounted for 19 percent of Spain's gross domestic product
(GDP) last year, rivalling Madrid for the distinction of being the country's richest
region. It is fourth in terms of GDP per capita averaging 28,600 euro ($33,600), after
Madrid, the northern Basque Country and neighbouring Navarra. GDP per capita in
Spain overall is 24,000 euro. Like in Madrid, unemployment is also lower than in the
rest of the country: 13.2 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared with 17.2
percent nationally. Home to big companies Catalonia is by far Spain's top exporting
region, with 25 percent of all goods produced there sold abroad last year and in the
first quarter of 2017. It attracted some 14 percent of foreign investment in Spain in
2015, in second place after Madrid, which received a huge 64 percent, but far ahead of
all the other regions, according to the economy ministry's latest data. Several large
companies have their headquarters in Catalonia's capital, Barcelona: textile group
Mango, Spain's third-largest bank CaixaBank, Gas Natural, highway giant Abertis or
perfume firm Puig, which owns Nina Ricci, Paco Rabanne and Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Warrant: Catalonia is a major player in Spanish industries

“Can Spain's economy survive a Catalan secession?” Al Jazeera. N.p., 30 Sep 2017. Web.
<http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/spain-economy-survive-catalan-
secession-170930163702214.html>.

The biggest industrial sector in the region in terms of jobs and turnover is agrifood, buoyed by
the powerful meat business which exports a lot of pork. Oil, food for cattle and grocery
Champion Briefs 187

products also contribute. The region concentrates around half of all of Spain's chemical
production, with a major hub in Tarragona. According to the sector's regional federation,
turnover in Catalonia is higher than in Austria or Denmark. In 2016, the region was also the
second car producer in Spain after Castilla y Leon. Nissan and Volkswagen, via its brand Seat,
have factories there. Spain is the second-biggest vehicle maker in the EU after Germany. New
technology and research Since the 1990s, Catalonia has invested in research, particularly in
bioscience - genetics, neuroscience, cell biology - and the sector now represents seven
percent of its GDP. With many cutting-edge hospitals and research centres, including in the
nuclear sector with a particle accelerator, the region says it is number one in Europe for
pharmaceutical companies per capita. New technology is also very present in Barcelona, which
every year hosts the Mobile World Congress. Catalan universities are among the best in the
country: of the top five Spanish universities in the widely watched annual ranking compiled by
the independent Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, three are Catalan. These are Pompeu Fabra,
the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Its business schools -
Esade and IESE - are well known and Barcelona also has big publishing houses. Top tourism
destination With its Barcelona and Costa Brava beaches, Catalonia is the Spanish region that
most attracts foreign tourists and the trend is on the rise. More than 18 million visitors went
in 2016, or a quarter of all foreigners who came to Spain.

Impact: The split would be extremely damaging to Spain’s debt situation and may leave them in
serious financial trouble

Ortega, Maria. “Catalonia economic chaos: Independence to push Spanish debt to 120
per cent of GDP.” Express UK. 21 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/869006/catalonia-economic-
Independence-Spanish-debt-news>.

Companies and banks have managed to dodge the first challenge of the Catalan
secessionist by changing their registered address. But the domino effect of political
Champion Briefs 188

conflict in the economy is much more complicated. Spain's debt laden economy is still
vulnerable to shocks. And economists have warned the economy would be
significantly damaged by the independence process. A unilateral declaration of
independence would mean that the weight of the national debt would rise up to 120
per cent of GDP, from its current 100 per cent. It means the Spanish state would see its
debt ratio rise to levels close to those in Italy. Catalonia's debt currently stands at 35.4
per cent of its GDP, €76,727million, and that a good part of it - 68 per cent, 52,499
million euros - is under the state umbrella of the Autonomous Liquidity Fund (FLA),
according to calculations by the director of economy and statistics of the Savings Banks
Foundation (Funcas), economist Raymond Torres. In a subsequent negotiation process it
would be logical to think that Catalonia would assume its debt. But it would be
inevitable that Spain would initially take over the Catalan portion of debt, at the same
time that it would lose the production that Catalonia contributes to the national GDP
as a whole.

Analysis: If the secession actually does manifest, it seems definite that Spain will encounter
severe economic difficulties in the process, compared to only potential benefits for Catalonia.
While the pro team may be able to elaborate on the benefits that secession would bring to
Catalonia, this argument presents an effective method of outweighing them. For one, this
allows the con to outweigh on probability, comparing potential benefits to definite harms. In
addition, as you are impacting to Spain as a whole, and as the impacts are severe, it will likely
be possible to outweigh your opponents on both magnitude and scope.

Champion Briefs 189


A/2: Harming the Spanish Economy

Answer: Spain is currently on an economic uptick, and could survive the loss of Catalan from its
economy

Warrant: Spain’s economy is beginning to overcome its economic slump

Goodman, Peter. “Spain’s Long Economic Nightmare Is Finally Over.” The New York
Times. N.p., 28 July 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/business/spain-europe-economy-
recovery-unemployment.html>.

For most of the last decade, Spain has suffered as an extreme example of the
economic carnage that has assailed the 19 nations sharing the common European
currency. Its astonishing levels of unemployment, which peaked at 26 percent, stood
as a prominent marker of the desperation inflicted by the implosion of its real estate
investment bubble, combined with the global financial crisis. Now, Spain’s economy has
returned to its pre-crisis size, according to data released by the government on Friday.
This seemingly puts the finish to one of the worst economic catastrophes to play out
in Europe in the years since World War II. It suggests that the continent, still grappling
with formidable, even existential challenges, has finally achieved recovery. The sense of
revival is palpable along the Barcelona waterfront, where stevedores work the arms of
giant cranes hoisting containers full of factory wares onto giant vessels bound for points
across Europe and Asia. It infuses a crop of start-up companies filling up the forlorn
office spaces in major Spanish cities, where the cost of living looks more reasonable
than London or Paris. It permeates even the vineyards, where a crop of young
entrepreneurs is capturing spoils by reimagining family businesses, exporting classic
Champion Briefs 190

wines in new bottles. Spain’s experience offers lessons for Europe, though in precisely
what way depends on one’s views on how things went so wrong.

Warrant: Spain is experiencing increases in GDP and growth

“Spanish economic growth maintains pace in Q3”. Financial Times. N.p., 30 Oct 2017.
Web. 7 Dec 2017. <https://www.ft.com/content/631efb7e-53fe-3d67-9f93-
9a8716fe94d2>.

The eurozone-wide recovery outweighed any impact from domestic political
uncertainty on Spain’s economy in the third quarter, with growth continuing at a
healthy pace. Gross domestic product increased 0.8 per cent over the three months to
September, down slightly from 0.9 per cent in the second quarter but in line with
economists’ predictions. On a year on year basis, GDP expanded 3.1 per cent, the same
rate as the second quarter, according to an initial reading from the National Institute of
Statistics. Spain’s economy has staged an impressive turnround over the last few years
after being one of the most badly-affected countries during the financial crisis.
Warrant: Spain’s economic growth is rivaling that of the European Union

Amaro, Sylvia. “Spanish economy to outperform European growth, says Bankia CFO.”
CNBC. N.p., 27 July 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/27/spanish-economy-to-outperform-
european-growth-says-bankia-cfo.html>.

Spain's economy is heading in a "very good direction" and is set to grow more than
the European Union, the CFO of the Spanish lender Bankia told CNBC on Thursday. The
retail bank beat analysts' expectations when reporting second quarter profits
Wednesday of 210 million euros ($244 million). Analysts had forecast a net profit of
188 million euros. The recent economic recovery in Spain contributed to the bank's
Champion Briefs 191

performance. "GDP (gross domestic product) is going to grow this year probably above
3 percent, as much as 3.3 percent, and what's more important it's going to be 3 percent
next year, so it's well-above the European Union level," Leopoldo Alvear, chief financial
officer of Bankia, told CNBC Thursday. "The micro in Spain is also working very well.
We've seen this in consumption, we've seen this in the number of cars being sold, and
we've seen of course in tourism," he noted. The International Monetary Fund noted last
week that Spain's economic recovery remains strong. The Fund estimated a 3.1 percent
GDP rate for this year, benefiting from the economic reforms undertaken in the years
after the 2008 crisis.

Analysis: If Spain is coming out of its economic hole, any potential economic downturn as a
result of the split will not hit it particularly hard. This argument is largely a minimizer, so try to
use it in conjunction with other responses.

Answer: The secession will not damage the Spanish economy

Warrant: The Catalonian problems so far have not led to economic problems in Spain

2 Oct 2016. Web. 7 Dec 2017.

Independence could also make it more expensive for the region's government to
borrow. Credit ratings agencies Moody's and S&P both downgraded Catalonia's debt
rating in 2016. The region could continue using the euro as its currency, but would not
have a seat at the European Central Bank. What about Spain? Spain's highest court has
banned the referendum, calling it unconstitutional. But the separatist regional
government still pushed ahead with the vote. A split would leave a hole in Spain's
Champion Briefs 192

finances and dramatically increase uncertainty. If Catalonia declares independence

unilaterally, it might also refuse to take on its share of the national debt. "While there
does not appear to have been any serious effect on the wider Spanish economy so far,
it is likely that business and consumer confidence would deteriorate if Catalonia were to
secede," Brown said.

Analysis: This argument is a good addition to the minimizing response that comes first, as it
more directly refutes the con’s link structure. In addition to these arguments, it may also be
useful to talk about benefits to the Catalonian economy, as they counteract any harms to the
Spanish economy.

Champion Briefs 193


CON: Harming the Catalonian Economy

Argument: Becoming independent, while perhaps an important mark of cultural unity, would
be extremely damaging to a Catalonian economy that is currently very successful.

Warrant: If Catalonia declares independence, it will be forced out of the European Union,
meaning it will miss the advantages of being apart of the single-market system

2 Oct 2016. Web. 7 Dec 2017.

Big risks But there are many unanswered questions -- including continued membership
in the European Union. If Catalonia was forced to independently apply for EU
membership, it would have to convince all of the bloc's current members to agree --
including Spain.
"We currently see no practical way for Catalonia to become an independent country
within the EU, as most supporters of independence want," economists at Berenberg
Bank wrote in a research note. Dropping out of bloc would likely raise the cost of
exporting goods produced in Catalonia to EU members and other nations. "It would
join the small list of countries that are not World Trade Organization members,
meaning it would face significant trade barriers," said Stephen Brown, an economist at
Capital Economics. Barcelona: The jewel in Spain's economy Brown said the move
would increase the price of imported goods in Catalonia and result in job losses.
Independence could also make it more expensive for the region's government to
borrow. Credit ratings agencies Moody's and S&P both downgraded Catalonia's debt
Champion Briefs 194

rating in 2016. The region could continue using the euro as its currency, but would not
have a seat at the European Central Bank.

Warrant: A split would lead to uncertainty in the private sector and a significant loss in
investment

2017-9>.

"As with Brexit, we believe that any Catalexit would plunge the region into a long
period of uncertainty and would most probably be negative for the private sector,"
the ING economist Geoffrey Minne wrote in a note titled "Catalonia: the cost of being
single." The movement for Catalan independence is largely a political one, with
campaigners arguing that for Catalonia to prosper and maintain its traditions the region
must be separate from Spain. ING, however, is focusing on the economics of a Catalexit.
A fall in consumption among Catalan households is the most obvious and immediate
likely impact of Catalan secession, ING says. "The starting point when analysing the
effect of Catalexit on consumer behaviour is the uncertainty it generates," the note
argued. "A recent poll conducted by Metroscopia showed that 62% of respondents in
Catalonia said they were 'worried' about the future of their region, compared to 31%
who said they were 'excited'. "There is only one step between worries and
precautionary saving and if about two-thirds of all consumers decide to moderate
consumption then this would dent private demand. If worries turn into panic then
there could also be a run on the banks and capital controls."
Impact: Leaving the single market would cause significant price hikes for the exporting of 65-
70% of Catalonia’s market

Champion Briefs 195

2017-9>.

Consumer uncertainty would be followed by uncertainty around business investments
in the region, Minne suggested, saying: "For business investment, uncertainty might
even be more important than for consumers as any perception of political instability
could affect foreign investment far more than local investment." Declaring
independence from Spain would automatically mean that Catalonia would have to
leave the European Union, which would inevitably cause issues around its
membership of the EU's single market. "Most foreign companies, as well as Catalan
ones, fear falling out of the European single market," Minne wrote. "A consequence
would be that investment could be delayed or redirected outside the region."
"Probably the most impacted companies are those exporting to the EU. The EU
accounted for 65% of exports and 70% of foreign investment in Catalonia over the last
three years," Minne continued, citing the chart below:

Impact: Leaving Spain would make it significantly more difficult for Catalonia to pay off its
debts.

“The Catalan vote: which consequences for Spain and European Union?” Mediterranean
Affairs. N.p., 5 Dec 2014. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://mediterraneanaffairs.com/the-catalan-vote-which-consequences-for-
spain-and-european-union/>.

The resurgence of the Catalan regional identity dates from the mid-1970s when Spain
returned to democracy following the fall of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship. However,
the current economic situation in Spain could have exacerbated Catalonia’s
Champion Briefs 196

breakaway feelings. What Catalans argue is that they pay more billions of Euros in taxes
than they actually get from the central government. Having said this, if Catalonia
became independent, it could concentrate its own resources on the improvement of
sectors such as health and education. In other words, this could lead to better life
conditions for its citizens. On the other hand, Catalonia represents one of the greatest
beneficiaries of EU solidarity, receiving billions in the form of structural funds[7] and
the regional government is in debt of €62 billion, according to the Spanish central
bank’s figures for the second quarter of 2014[8]. Therefore, a separated Catalonia will
probably be forced to apply for the EU’s bail-out mechanism. In this scenario, will
Europe be supportive towards a region which has shown a dubious solidarity towards
its own country?

Analysis: While many pro teams will likely discuss the positive cultural and economic impacts to
Catalan, the reality of the situation is much more complicated. If the pro is running any
arguments about economic success, running this contention will allow for a great deal of clash
and makes it easy to narrow down the round. If they are running arguments about cultural
benefits, it is relatively easy to outweigh using magnitude and scope. This sets the argument up
to be a staple of any con case, and is one that also makes a great deal of intuitive sense.

Champion Briefs 197

A/2: Harming the Catalonian Economy

Answer: If Catalonia remains a part of the European Union, these economic problems may not
manifest

Warrant: Catalonia will likely become a part of the European Union


It would also be difficult for business and tourism. My guess is that an independent
Catalonia would be welcomed into the EU if it still wanted to rejoin, but that could
take a decade. In the meantime we are seeing hostility from the EU. As for the other
major countries, while their present stance of not recognising Catalonia is quite
understandable and correct, if and when the country became truly independent, they
have no option but to accept reality. But – and this is important – there is a
considerable economic cost to political disruption on this scale. The call for calm by
Catalonia’s sacked leader Carles Puigdemont is sensible and strikes a helpful tone. Let’s
see what happens.

Warrant: This would mean that their trade flows would not actually be disrupted whatsoever

Bosch, Sofia. “Here’s how bad economically a Spain-Catalonia split could really be.”
CNBC. N.p., 21 Sep 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/21/heres-how-bad-economically-a-spain-
catalonia-split-could-really-be.html>.
Champion Briefs 198


The success of Catalonia is determined heavily on whether or not they would assume
a percentage of the Spanish debt and if they would be required to pay off their own
debt. Either situation could prove to be detrimental to a new Catalan nation and would
damage the potential for economic expansion. "In terms of trade, if Catalonia were to
remain as part of the EU, nothing would change," Albert Banal-Estañol, an economics
professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, said. This is because Catalonia would retain its
current trading partners and continue to use the euro. Catalonia, however, does not
have an automatic right to membership in the European Union. This issue echoes
problems that arose during Scotland's own independence referendum in 2014.

Analysis: This acts as a block to the con links into economic downturn - if Catalonia is able to
remain a part of the EU, they will not see the economic downturn the con is predicting.

Answer: Catalan has all the makings of a successful independent economic entity

Warrant: Catalonia is the right size to be an economic powerhouse


It is not for foreign economists to take positions on the independence of Catalonia, for that is
for the people of Catalonia and Spain to decide. What can be said, though, is that if Catalonia
were to become a fully independent country there is no reason why it should not – after a
period of disruption – be an extremely successful economy. There are a number of reasons
why this is likely to be so. For a start, it has a population of 7.5 million. There is no right or
wrong size as such, for there are successful countries that are very small: Luxembourg, with a
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population of just under 600,000, is the richest country in the world in terms of GDP per
person. (Monaco probably comes in higher, but it is a special case.) And of course the three
largest countries in terms of population – China, India and the US – are also success stories in
their own ways. But there does seem to be a sweet spot in the 5 million to 15 million bracket,
where countries are big enough to offer their citizens a full range of services but are also
small enough to be socially cohesive. This includes Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and
Switzerland. Catalonia would naturally join that group.

Warrant: Catalonia has a number of other advantages, including geographical location and
brand recognition


That argument leads to a second condition for success: location. Countries cannot
choose their location, and have to make the best of what they have. But if your
neighbours are doing well, unless you deliberately cut yourself off from them, you will
tend to be pulled along too. Catalonia, in that sense, is lucky in several ways. It has
prosperous neighbours, France and the rest of Spain (though relations with the latter
would be difficult for a while). It has a coastline, and a Mediterranean one at that.
Barcelona and Tarragona, a little to the south, are Spain’s two largest ports. Third, it has
an established economic base. It is a manufacturing centre, has two top-ranking
business schools, and the usual array of service industries. Separatists have noted that
though Catalonia has about 18 per cent of Spain’s population, it generates more than
20 per cent of its GDP. Were it to be fully independent, with Barcelona and its 1.6
million people, it would have one of the glitziest capital cities on earth. A final point:
Catalonia has brand recognition. Brand is an intangible advantage, but can be
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deployed to leverage other economic advantages. Ireland is a fine example of that,

using its brand (and its educated workforce) to make it a base for high-tech American
companies seeking to enter the European market. On its own, Catalonia could be
nimble in attracting business, and consequently creating jobs, than it has been as part
of Spain.

Analysis: While the first response seeks to cut the con’s access to their impacts by disputing
their links, this argument provides a strong counter-narrative, arguing that Catalonia could be a
very successful independent economy. Run this in conjunction with the first block for maximum
impact.

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CON: Negative Relationship Between Spain and Catalan

Argument: Catalonian separation will ruin the relationship between Spain and Catalan, which
will be damaging for future economic and political success in both regions

Warrant: The Spanish government may attempt to forcibly seize control of the region, which
would be catastrophic diplomatically

Frayer, Lauren. “In Spain, Confusion And Uncertainty About Catalonia's Future.” NPR.
N.p., 17 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/10/13/557367279/in-spain-
confusion-and-uncertainty-about-catalonias-future>.

Puigdemont is playing it both ways, Arbos says. He is balancing the more than 2 million
voters who cast ballots in favor of secession in an Oct. 1 referendum against what may
be a similar number of Catalans, according to opinion polls, who do not wish to leave
Spain. There is pressure from Spanish and European officials as well. More than half of
Catalonia's 5.3 million registered voters did not vote at all on the referendum. Unionist
parties encouraged their supporters to boycott the vote, which was ruled illegal by
Spanish courts. But the Spanish government is losing patience. In parliament, Prime
Minister Mariano Rajoy accused Puigdemont of being "intentionally confusing." Here
is exactly what Puigdemont said in his speech: "The people have determined that
Catalonia should become an independent state in the form of a republic. That is what
needs to be done today... I myself propose that the parliament suspend the effects of
the declaration of independence so that in the coming weeks we may begin a dialogue."
Do those words, along with the document Puigdemont signed, amount to a
declaration of independence in the legal sense? That is the question Rajoy posed in a
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formal letter Wednesday to Puigdemont, a copy of which was obtained by NPR. In it, he
called on the Catalan leader to "cease grave actions contrary to the general interest of
Spain." The letter represents the first step in a process of invoking Article 155 of the
Spanish Constitution, which allows Madrid to assume control of any Spanish region,
canceling its partial autonomy. The article has never been invoked in Spain's 39-year
democratic history.

Warrant: Police brutality and the refusal of the Spanish government to acknowledge the
referendum results has created political conflict

Dowling, Andrew. “Spanish government crushes Catalan independence dreams – at a
high price.” The Conversation. N.p., 2 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://theconversation.com/spanish-government-crushes-catalan-
independence-dreams-at-a-high-price-85014>.

But something different happened in Catalonia on October 1 2017: a referendum that
in practice wasn’t a referendum at all. It was considered a referendum by the
supporters of Catalan independence, but not their opponents – the Spanish
government – who called it “illegal” – for the EU, or any known government in the
world. The reported 42.3% turnout and near-90% vote for independence do not carry
any meaningful legitimacy. Even for those who did turn out, anything approaching
normal voting was prevented by a heavy and at times violent Spanish police presence.
Still, this doesn’t mean the vote isn’t destabilising. The events of October 1 mark a
turning point in the ever-growing – but containable – dispute between the government
in Madrid, led by the conservative Popular Party, and the pro-independence coalition of
parties in Catalonia’s regional government. Since mass pro-independence protests of
2012, the dispute between Madrid and Barcelona has simmered along as a low-
intensity political conflict. The Catalan elections of September 2015 gave an ambiguous
result, and the referendum on independence was launched as the mechanism to break
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the deadlock. But Madrid refused to accept the legitimacy of any such vote, and
promised to block it by all legal means. Even as tensions rose to their highest level yet
in September 2017, the Madrid stock market seemed impervious to the apparent
turbulence in the weeks leading up to the referendum. This was because nobody
seriously believed Spain really was about to lose a fifth of its economy, which is what
Catalonian independence would really mean. Yet still, the independence side made a
serious noise, and Madrid was rattled enough to send thousands of police officers to
Catalonia with the express intention of stopping the vote.

Impact: Due to economic and political subjugation in response to the calls for independence,
the relationship between Catalan and Spain has been broken

Walsh, John. “No going back: Catalonia and Spain's relationship is broken.” RTE. N.p., 11
Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.rte.ie/eile/brainstorm/2017/1001/908928-no-going-back-
catalonia-and-spains-relationship-is-broken/>.

Spain has repeatedly refused to discuss the question of independence, despite more
than 20 formal attempts by the Catalan government. A slim majority of the Catalan
parliament is in favour of independence and opinion polls in recent months indicated
that up to half of the population supported that view but more significantly, a large
majority of about 80 percent favoured holding a referendum. "The key problem that
constitutes the conflict between Catalonia and Spain is what we call the fiscal balance,
i.e. the difference between taxes paid and services rendered", says Joan Pujolar,
professor of sociolinguistics at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. "The Spanish
government, in an alliance with a partisan judiciary and Constitutional Court,
undertook a project of centralisation to render Catalan autonomy lame by slow
attrition and various Catalan laws have been suspended and withdrawn by the
Constitutional Court since 2012. Despite Catalan’s official status, language has also
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been an issue and the judicial system is determined to preserve the use of Spanish at all
costs. Real linguistic abuses are widely carried out against Catalan by policemen,
doctors, judges and civil servants." What will happen in the next few days is anyone’s
guess but it will be serious. In scenes reminiscent of the Franco years, the brutal
repression of efforts by millions of Catalans to vote peacefully marks a red line in
Spanish-Catalan relations. There is no going back: at its heart the Catalan crisis has
emerged because very many Catalans, probably now a majority, no longer feel that
the Spanish state is legitimate. When enough citizens no longer consider themselves
loyal to a state, when they believe that it does not have their interests at heart and
that it consistently fails to respect their language and identity, the future of that state
is in question.

Impact: Spain’s international legitimacy is being called into question as a result of this
increasingly fractured relationship

Herman, Mark. “Catalan independence vote has shown that Spain is broken.” CNN. N.p.,
10 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/10/opinions/spain-has-a-problem-that-does-
not-end-here-herman-opinion/index.html>.

As recently as two weeks ago, Catalan secessionists faced a steep legal route to
justifying independence. However, attacks by Spanish police on unarmed participants
of this region's October 1 vote allowed Puigdemont's secessionists to win the moral
argument, shifting the debate from the referendum's constitutionality -- Spain's
supreme court had prohibited it -- to whether Catalans had a fundamental right to
speech, assembly and self-determination. Puigdemont rose to speak knowing the
debate was no longer over Catalonia's right to independence. He rose knowing that
Spain's enforcement of the rule of law could -- in the view of many international and
also Spanish observers -- be argued to have crossed the line into repression. And, he
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will have calculated, that a repressed people could, in the eyes of those observers,
convince the world that they deserved to go their own way. Puigdemont, only two years
ago the mayor of the medium-sized Catalan city of Girona, has played his cards cannily.
By declaring that Catalans have won the right to independence but that he would first
call for some weeks of debate in the regional Parliament, he replaces a disputed vote
with a model of democratic process.

Analysis: This argument is impactful in that while many other pro and con arguments are
centered around economic or cultural impacts, this argument benefits from political and lives
impacts. Spain’s subjugation of the Catalonian people, and the response to this subjugation,
allows the con to outweigh on magnitude, because such physical abuses are more damaging
than any hit an economy might take. This argument is also very intuitive, and can be explained
easily to any judge.

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A/2: Negative Relationship Between Spain and Catalan

Answer: Catalan’s attempt to become independent on the basis of the referendum should be
disputed by Spain, and is not an overreaction

Warrant: The Catalonian government did not follow proper procedure when setting up the
referendum

Lasheras, Francisco. “Three myths about Catalonia’s independence movement.”
European Council on Foreign Relations. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_three_myths_about_catalonias_indep
endence_movement>.

Myth One: A legitimate and democratic referendum process unjustly constrained by the
Spanish state The first myth is that the planned referendum would be a legitimate
democratic process, approved by the Catalan Parliament and unfairly banned by the
Spanish state.
Yet the way the secession laws (“disconnection laws”) – that is, one law allowing for a
referendum on independence and another on the “Legal Transition” (providing for the
elements of an independent Catalan Republic) – were passed on September 6 was
shockingly undemocratic. The pro-independence bloc, which enjoys a wafer-thin
majority, rode roughshod over Catalonia’s parliamentary rules and the rights of
opposition MPs. The two pieces of legislation were rushed through in a late-night
session against the warnings of the legal attorneys of the Catalan Parliament and
ignoring the request of opposition MPs for an opinion of the Council of Statutory
Guarantees, to which they are entitled under Catalan law. As a result the opposition
bloc (made up of Socialists, liberal Ciudadanos, the People's Party and some members
of the leftist Catalunya Sí Que Es Pot) left the session in protest and took no part in
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the vote. The Spanish Constitutional Court suspended the legislation, but the ruling
forces in Catalonia have vowed to ignore its rulings, and pushed forward nonetheless.
Indeed, they have announced that they will declare independence whether the
Spanish Government allows for such a vote or not, effectively making the referendum
a plebiscite on a decision already taken by a ruling majority.

Warrant: It is unfair to categorize the conflict as one of an oppressed and an oppressor

Lasheras, Francisco. “Three myths about Catalonia’s independence movement.”
European Council on Foreign Relations. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_three_myths_about_catalonias_indep
endence_movement>.

Madrid’s conservative government is a popular and easy target for virtue-signalling
commentators who lack the nerve to take on the real contemporary Francos in Russia or
Venezuela. But Spain is no USSR-like Goliath, nor is the Catalan government of Carles
Puigdemont a pious, defenceless David. Modern Spain is a pluralistic democracy which
ranks high on all recognized standards. Rajoy’s Government, in minority, is subject to
many checks and balances, and the PM himself has recently had to testify both in court
and in Parliament for a case of massive corruption engulfing his party. Key Spanish
cities, Madrid and Barcelona are run by Podemos backed leftist coalitions, and power
sharing arrangements are the rule at the regional level. Indeed, Catalonia enjoys wide
powers of self-government far and above other similarly independent minded regions
in Europe, precisely on the basis of the Constitution and Statute, voted for by the
Catalan people in 2006, which the ruling majority have now decided to unilaterally
repeal. Undoubtedly, as with any other Western democracy, Spanish governance is
subject to tensions. Its need for reinvigorating and institutional reform is one of the
driving forces explaining our troubled politics. But the assertion that there is any veiled
Francoism at work is absurd.
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Analysis: The con argument stems from the idea that Spain’s abuses are creating tensions
between the two states. This response disputes the fact that the Spanish are at fault for these
disputes, allowing the pro to block the con’s link.

Answer: Corruption in both governments made conflict inevitable

Warrant: Both the Spanish and Catalonian governments have significant amounts of corruption

Rosenbach, Eleanor. “The Catalan independence referendum is a smokescreen for other
issues.” The Independent. N.p., 1 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/catalan-catalonia-independence-
referendum-spain-smokescreen-for-other-issues-a7976841.html>.

Both sides in this debate are using the referendum to further their own political
agendas. Spain’s governing party, the Partido Popular (PP), is a right-wing party
housing a spectrum of thought from neoliberalists to the hard-line right. The ruling
party in Catalonia, PDeCAT, is a centre right party of the Catalan bourgeois which has
historically been the natural ally of PP and not a traditional supporter of independence.
Interestingly, their move to advocate a referendum has stopped their support from
dropping in recent months. Footage shows riot police brutally eject Catalans from a
polling station Alongside this, neither the national government nor the Catalan
parliament are strangers to corruption in politics. PDeCAT has been plagued with
allegations of corruption, debate around which has receded significantly as demands for
independence have increased. PP, for its part, has often sought conflict as a means of
garnering public support. Positioning this referendum and the spectre of
independence as a threat to Spanish citizens and their economic future – as well as
tugging on the strings of nationalist patriotism in demanding the continued unity of
Spain – PP has engaged widespread support.
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Analysis: This argument contends that there would have been some conflict no matter what, as
the parties see this conflict as a way of garnering support. In short, the removal of the
separatist movement would not end the conflict between the regions. This makes the con
argument entirely non-unique.

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CON: The Balkanization of Europe
Argument: Catalonian separation could lead to a wave of separatist movements across Europe,
which has the potential to increase tensions and create instability and violence across the
continent

Warrant: There are many territories across Europe aside from Catalan that are seeking
independence

Ames, Paul. “The Balkanization of Europe?” Public Radio International. N.p., 16 Oct
2012. Web. 6 Dec 2017. <https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-10-16/balkanization-
europe>.

ANTWERP, Belgium — Europe's rising tide of nationalism swept over Belgium on
Sunday when separatists seeking independence for the country's Dutch-speaking
north surged in local elections to take power in city halls across the region. "This is a
point of no return in our history," Bart De Wever, leader of the New Flemish Alliance,
told cheering supporters after his election as mayor in this historic seaport. "The Flemish
have chosen change and we are going to continue on that path." Separatists also made
news in Scotland, where the first minister signed an agreement on Monday setting up
a referendum on breaking away from British rule. And in Spain, the president of the
Catalonia region vowed to push for the right to hold a similar vote on independence.
Supporters say citizens of historic nations are finally asserting their right to self-rule,
but the resurgent separatism, combined with growing political extremism in some
countries, is underscoring concerns about European stability as the continent struggles
to pull out of its deepest economic crisis in decades. Rising tensions between European
Union members are also adding to fears the EU’s unity is fracturing despite its Nobel
Champion Briefs 211

Peace Prize win last week. "If the euro zone were to unravel in a way that destroyed
the European project — and there is a risk that could happen,” Britain's Business
Secretary Vince Cable warned Sunday, “the consequences would be absolutely
incalculable.”

Warrant: The push for independence in Catalan could make other countries more likely to
attempt secession

“The Catalan vote: which consequences for Spain and European Union?” Mediterranean
Affairs. N.p., 5 Dec 2014. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://mediterraneanaffairs.com/the-catalan-vote-which-consequences-for-
spain-and-european-union/>.

It is well known that this northern region accounts for one fifth of Spain’s economic
output[6], therefore secession could bring disastrous consequences for one of the
countries most affected by the debt crisis. Solidarity seems needed now more than ever.
EU is facing a moment of dramatic economic instability and the solution could be a
stronger unity and a reinforced cooperation between Member States and between
regions within the Member States. Catalonia’s secession could encourage other
European regions to follow its example, leading to a balkanization of Europe. During
recent years of deep depression, breakaway parties have gained a new momentum in
Europe, especially in those countries with big regional differences in term of culture,
income and population. Just look at EU elections’ results. While the traditional parties
(Partido Popular and the Partido Socialista Obrero Español) lost votes and seats in the
European Parliament in comparison with 2009, the ERC won for the first time in 80 years
in Catalonia. The resurgence of the Catalan regional identity dates from the mid-1970s
when Spain returned to democracy following the fall of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship.
However, the current economic situation in Spain could have exacerbated Catalonia’s
breakaway feelings.
Champion Briefs 212


Impact: Other states seeking independence has the potential to lead to messy disputes and
serious diplomatic tensions

Ames, Paul. “The Balkanization of Europe?” Public Radio International. N.p., 16 Oct
2012. Web. 6 Dec 2017. <https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-10-16/balkanization-
europe>.

Beyond their impact on Europe's economic efforts, EU officials are concerned the
separatist demands could create messy border disputes. Flemish nationalists claim
Brussels as their capital even though its population is overwhelmingly French-
speaking. Some Catalan separatists envision their future republic stretching beyond
the current region’s borders to include other bits of Spain and even France. The threat
separatism may revive in parts of Eastern Europe — among Hungarians in Romania's
Transylvania region, for example — could pose even trickier problems. Despite the
risks, the EU's head office has been unable to take a clear-cut position on the prospects
of states breaking up. Justice Commissioner Vivianne Reding recently suggested that
Catalonia would not need to leave the EU if it were to break away from Spain,
contradicting earlier comments by a European Commission spokesman who said any
new breakaway states would have to re-apply for EU membership.

Impact: Independence would lead to a slippery slope that ignites dozens of other violent
conflicts

O’Malley, James. “We shouldn't blindly support independence for Catalonia – here's
why.” The Independent. N.p., 12 Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/catalonia-independence-spain-europe-
disastrous-consequences-eu-war-disruption-dispute-scotland-a7996381.html>.
Champion Briefs 213

It’s easy to see why too: because one region declaring independence could lend
legitimacy to the claims of other secessionist movements. What about Scotland, for
example? Unsurprisingly following the vote, The National newspaper, which supports
independence, had a front page celebrating events in Catalonia – complete with
Catalonian flag in the masthead. Okay, so you might not worry about Scotland – it is
pursuing independence by peaceful means that have been legitimated by the “parent”
country, but what about other countries and regions with arguably trickier
circumstances? What about the long history of demands for Spain’s Basque region to
become independent? Could it restart the violent separatist movement there? And
what about the push for Kurdish independence? Conceivably it might be a good idea,
but it could equally further inflame an already difficult situation in the Middle East.
And what if – for example – seeing the Catalonia precedent, a Russian speaking region
of Latvia was to suddenly demand its independence, with all of the geopolitical
baggage that would entail? It also goes without saying that in situations where there is
a secessionist movement, it is rarely universally supported. Look at Northern Ireland,
Bosnia, Cyprus and countless others – if we let the secessionist genie out of the bottle,
it could be a recipe for igniting – or reigniting – dozens of potentially violent conflicts
around the world. This might sound like a “slippery slope” argument – and an argument
in hypotheticals, but a precedent like this has already caused international grief.

Impact: An increase of secessionist movements could have negative implications for Europe, as
they have the potential to instigate violence

Griffiths, Ryan. “Kurdistan and Catalonia are voting on independence. Welcome to the
age of secession.” The Washington Post. N.p., 17 Sep 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-
cage/wp/2017/09/23/kurdistan-and-catalonia-are-voting-on-independence-
heres-what-we-know-about-secessionist-groups/?utm_term=.97eebbd1fe44>.
Champion Briefs 214

Secession occurs when a region within a state breaks away to form its own sovereign
state. There were 55 active secessionist movements around the world as of 2011, and
an average of 52 movements per year since 1945. Most have failed to achieve their goal
of independence, sometimes coming to an agreement with their central government or
simply fading away. Roughly a third have resulted in violence. Indeed, some claim that
secessionism is the chief cause of violence in the world today. As I argue in my recent
book, we are truly living in the Age of Secession. Strategy of secession The Kurds and the
Catalans are pursuing the same overall strategy of secession. Strategically, all
secessionist movements are the same: they need to make a change by forcing others
to recognize them as independent states. To do so, they engage in “compellence,”
getting an actor to do something they would not otherwise do. These tactics vary,
from the deployment of violence to civil resistance to electoral competition. Seen
from a wide angle, Catalonia and Iraqi Kurdistan are not unique. They are using the
same strategic playbook and employing the same tactics as other movements of their
kind.

Analysis: The push for independence happening in Catalan makes the possibility for a successful
secession seem like a plausible option for other groups around Europe, which may spur
increased pushes for balkanization. This is problematic due to the nature of separatist
movements, which are often violent. This argument is useful as it allows you to likely trump
your opponents in terms of the magnitude of your impacts. Their arguments will likely be
centered around the impact to Catalan, or the impact to Spain, while your arguments can link
into the impacts to Europe as a whole.

Champion Briefs 215


A/2: The Balkanization of Europe
Answer: Many of the other secessionist movements within Europe do not want to achieve
independence

Warrant: Catalonia’s president is unsure as to how much independence he wants to establish
from Spain

Noack, Rick. “Europe has plenty of secessionist movements like Catalonia. Most don’t
want full independence, though.” The Washington Post. N.p., 11 Oct 2017. Web.
7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/11/europe-
has-many-independence-movements-apart-from-catalonia-few-of-them-want-
full-self-determination/?utm_term=.a40363d0811a>.

BERLIN — When Catalonia's president, Carles Puigdemont, affirmed the region's right to
be an independent country on Tuesday, it was one of the most closely watched
moments in the history of European secessionist movements. In the end, however,
Puigdemont stopped short of declaring an independent polity. His hesitation suggests
that Catalonia may increasingly fit into a pattern where independence movements
within the European Union have mostly rallied supporters to try to negotiate better
deals and more autonomy rather than seceding. Such efforts have not resulted in full
independence and are unlikely to do so in the near future. While the motivations to
split off from their home countries can be varied, they often boil down to a desire to
have more control over their finances and revenue sources. Secessionist regions may
want to expand the leeway of local police forces or counterterrorism units. It is also
Champion Briefs 216

seen as a way of protecting unique cultural identities or regional languages and

dialects from being swamped.
Warrant: Many independence movements have opted to stop short of seeking full
independence, even in the wake of the goings on in Catalan
Noack, Rick. “Europe has plenty of secessionist movements like Catalonia. Most don’t
want full independence, though.” The Washington Post. N.p., 11 Oct 2017. Web.
7 Dec 2017.
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/11/europe-
has-many-independence-movements-apart-from-catalonia-few-of-them-want-
full-self-determination/?utm_term=.a40363d0811a>.

Although there remains vocal support for her plans in Scotland, Sturgeon’s party still
lost about a third of its parliamentary seats in the general election this summer —
likely putting an end to the Scottish desire for independence, at least for now.
Scotland’s 2014 “No” vote and the violence in the lead-up to this month’s
independence referendum in Catalonia appear to have weakened the independence
drive elsewhere in Europe, too. In Belgium’s Flemish-speaking Flanders region,
reactions to the Catalan announcement on Tuesday were mostly muted. Belgium is
divided between the French-speaking Walloons and the Flemish. In addition to not
sharing a language, the two communities are split along historic and socio-economic
lines. Yet, as is the case in Germany’s Bavaria, the Flemish pro-independence party is
currently part of the national government and has seen little benefit in trying to
capitalize on the chaotic Catalan secession efforts as a role model for their region. The
desire for more autonomy has also mostly replaced the wish for full-fledged
independence on the Faroe Islands, located about 800 miles from Denmark’s capital
Copenhagen, from where they are partially governed. The regional government for the
islands, which have a land area size of about 550 square miles, recently announced
plans to expand their self-government but stopped short of announcing its desire to
break away completely.
Champion Briefs 217

Analysis: If other secessionist movements are not seeking complete separation from their
respective governments, it makes it unlikely that the events in Catalan will trigger mass
uprisings. This acts as a block for the pro links.

Answer: The Catalonian movement is a bad example of an attempt for independence, and
other movements are thus unlikely to follow in its wake

Warrant: The Catalonian President has not even confirmed whether independence is what the
movement is seeking

Clarke, Hillary. “Catalonia leader fails to clarify independence declaration.” CNN. N.p., 16
Oct 2017. Web. 7 Dec 2017.
<http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/16/europe/catalonia-independence-spain-
puigdemont/index.html>.

(CNN)The president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, failed to clarify Monday whether
his administration had officially declared independence from Spain and instead
repeated his call for talks to resolve the ongoing constitutional crisis in the country. In
a letter to the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Puigdemont asked for two months
of dialogue over the status of the region in northwest Spain, which held a disputed
independence referendum on October 1. Rajoy had set a deadline of 10 a.m. local time
(4 a.m. ET) Monday for Puigdemont to say definitively whether an ambiguous speech
he delivered to the Catalan Parliament last week in the wake of the referendum
amounted to a declaration of independence. Catalonia had "earned the right" to
become an independent republic, after 90% of voters in the October 1 referendum
chose to split from Spain, Puigdemont told the Catalan Parliament. But he suspended
the effects of the declaration to allow for talks. "The suspension on our side of the
results that come out of the vote on 1 Oct, shows our firm commitment to find a
solution, and avoid confrontation," Puigdemont wrote in his letter to Rajoy on Monday.
Champion Briefs 218

Analysis: Without a strong or defined push for independence, other countries may not be
interested in pursuing a similar route towards independence. The above card does not explicitly
establish this, so it will be up to the pro to use inference to make the final link. This has the
potential to remove the con’s link into their impacts.

Champion Briefs 219

CON: Catalonian independence undermines Spanish

democracy
Argument: The Spanish Constitution does not allow for secession. Thus, a Catalonian secession
would undermine and delegitimize Spanish rule of law and democratic institutions.

Warrant: Spanish democracy is fragile

Sarah Wildman “Why part of Spain is trying to secede – and why the Spanish
government cracked down on it” Vox. 10/2/17.
<https://www.vox.com/world/2017/10/2/16393956/catalonia-catalan-
independence-crackdown-vote-referendum>

“But that's not the only thing you need to understand about the Catalan drive to secede
from Spain, which is expected to lead to a formal (if likely ineffectual) declaration of
independence on Tuesday. The important thing is to understand that the Spanish
government's brutal crackdown on Sunday's vote — which included seizing ballot
boxes, the beating of unarmed voters and protesters, and the firing of rubber bullets
— has made the Spanish state that much more fragile. In a country that has only been
a democracy for four decades, the scenes of police violence — which left some 800
people injured — looked like images from Spain’s bygone era of fascist leadership. The
Catalans called upon the European Union to intervene on their behalf. The EU officially
refused.”

Warrant: Catalan secession is illegal.

Champion Briefs 220


“The Spanish government in Madrid had spent weeks arguing that a vote for
independence would be illegal. That ruling hinges on the text of the 1978 Spanish
Constitution, which calls for the ‘indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation.’ Spanish
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also made clear that he was willing to use heavy-handed
measures to prevent the vote from taking place. In the run-up to Sunday’s ballot, the
Spanish Civil Guard raided offices in Catalonia, arrested Catalan leaders, and impounded
10 million ballots — all in the name of squelching the vote. On September 7, Spain’s
Constitutional Court ruled that the vote was illegal and should not proceed. As
expected, as well, the Catalan government refused to acknowledge the authority of
that ruling. ‘We will respond to the tsunami of lawsuits with a tsunami of democracy,’
Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan president, told the press, insisting the vote would be
held anyway.”

Warrant: Catalans approved the Spanish Constitution.

M.R. “Why the referendum on Catalan independence is illegal” The Economist. 9/26/17.
< https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2017/09/economist-
explains-17>

“The Catalan regional government of Carles Puigdemont is preparing to hold a unilateral
referendum on seceding from Spain on October 1st, which it says will be legally binding.
Catalans will be asked whether they want to form an independent republic. But there is
a problem: Spain’s democratic constitution of 1978, which was approved by more than
90% of Catalan voters, gave wide autonomy to the regions but affirmed ‘the
Champion Briefs 221

indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation’. Only the Spanish parliament can change the
constitution. Mr Puigdemont’s referendum is therefore illegal, and Mariano Rajoy,
Spain’s conservative prime minister, is determined to prevent it taking place.”

Warrant: Spanish courts have denied the right to Catalan secession.

Joan Vintro, “Legality and the Referendum on Independence in Catalonia” Institute of
Public Law, University of Barcelona. 2017. <
http://idpbarcelona.net/docs/blog/legality_referendum.pdf>

“For the Spanish Government, the legal basis for its position is founded on the fact that
the Constitution of 1978 does not provide expressly for a referendum of the
characteristics noted above, in line with the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of the
Constitution. These articles only establish the sovereignty of the Spanish people and the
indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation, respectively. The state government also finds
support for their position in the Judgment of the Constitutional Court (JCC) 103/2008,
which seems to exclude the possibility of any popular inquiry regarding the identity
and unity of a sovereign entity except a constitutional reform referendum involving all
of the Spanish citizens.”

Impact: Rule of law is fundamental to democracy

M.R. “Why the referendum on Catalan independence is illegal” The Economist. 9/26/17.
< https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2017/09/economist-
explains-17>

“The Catalan government’s own pollster finds that while 70% want a referendum on the
territory’s future, only 48% do if Spanish government doesn’t agree—which it
emphatically does not. According to the same poll, support for independence is slowly
Champion Briefs 222

declining, and now stands at 41%. Mr Rajoy is relying on the courts to stop the
referendum, arguing that the rule of law is fundamental to democracy. The
Constitutional Tribunal has suspended the two laws. The Civil Guard arrested 14 senior
people, most of them Catalan officials, involved in organising the referendum, and has
seized 9.8m ballot slips. Mr Puigdemont insists that the vote will go ahead. He is relying
on popular mobilisation: tens of thousands protested against the arrests in Barcelona.
But it is hard to see the vote being anything more than an unofficial consultation,
similar to one held in 2014. Most supporters of ‘No’ side won’t vote. If anything like the
2.3m alleged to have voted in 2014 were to turn out, Mr Puigdemont would claim
victory.”

Impact: The illegal vote threatens to undermine democracy in Spain.

Marianne Barriaux and Daniel Silva “Spanish riot police fight to suppress Catalonia’s
defiant independence vote” Public Radio International. 10/1/17. <
https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-10-01/spanish-riot-police-fight-suppress-
catalonias-defiant-independence-vote>

“But it has been ruled unconstitutional by the central government and the courts, with
judicial officials ordering police to seize ballot papers, detain key organizers and shut
down websites promoting the vote. Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de
Santamaria called on the Catalan government to call off what she dismissed as a
"farce," as police fanned out across the region to block voting. The Catalan government
has ‘behaved in an absolutely irresponsible manner, it tried to annul law and justice in
Catalonia, and with it democracy,’ she said.”

Analysis: Weigh this argument at the end of the round by explaining how overall Spanish rule of
law is necessary for preserving all democratic institutions. Catalonian secession would have far
reaching consequences for Spanish governance that would harm the Spanish people.
Champion Briefs 223

A/2: Catalonian independence undermines Spanish

democracy

Answer: There is a Constitutional basis for Catalan secession.

Warrant: Article I of the Spanish Constitution authorizes the Catalan referendum.

Joan Vintro, “Legality and the Referendum on Independence in Catalonia” Institute of
Public Law, University of Barcelona. 2017. <
http://idpbarcelona.net/docs/blog/legality_referendum.pdf>

“Certainly the Constitution does not provide for the possibility of calling a referendum at
this time by which the citizens of Catalonia could legally decide on the independence of
the territory. Nonetheless, the fact remains that, based on the democratic principle of
Article 1 of the Constitution and, in the absence of limits on constitutional reform,
there are ways that can be found in the Constitution and current legislation which
allow for Catalan citizens to express their views in an advisory referendum about the
start of the constitutional reform process leading to the independence of Catalonia.
This explicit link between the referendum on the collective future of Catalonia and the
reform of the Constitution should overcome any obstacles to an inquiry posed by JCC
103/2008. It should be remarked here that this decision of the Constitutional Court was
issued in relation to the proposed referendum on the Ibarretxe Plan, which specifically
did not link the decision on the future of the Basque country to constitutional reform.”

Analysis: Explain that even if the constitution does not explicitly allow for secession, Catalonian
secession would be in the spirit of the constitution and thus should be allowed. Further, explain
Champion Briefs 224

that the rights of Catalonians are much more directly affected by this issue than a vague notion
of “rule of law.”

Answer: Catalan independence is an expression of Catalan democracy.

Warrant: The referendum was a democratic mechanism for secession.


“As expected, as well, the Catalan government refused to acknowledge the authority of
that ruling. ‘We will respond to the tsunami of lawsuits with a tsunami of democracy,’
Carles Puigdemont, the Catalan president, told the press, insisting the vote would be
held anyway. Thus, the scene was set for yesterday’s confrontations — though the
level of violence shocked even those expecting it. ‘I see no way back either for Madrid
or for Barcelona,’ Xesco Reverter, a Catalan journalist for TV3, told me by phone. ‘I don’t
know how they can go back and sit at a table and talk.’ In the hours after the votes were
cast, Rajoy flatly denied any referendum had even taken place. For his part, Puigdemont
told a crowd of supporters that ‘the Spanish state has lost a lot more than it had
already lost, and Catalan citizens have won a lot more than they had won until now.’”

Warrant: Spanish riot police brutally suppressed a democratic vote.

Marianne Barriaux and Daniel Silva “Spanish riot police fight to suppress Catalonia’s
defiant independence vote” Public Radio International. 10/1/17. <
https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-10-01/spanish-riot-police-fight-suppress-
catalonias-defiant-independence-vote>
Champion Briefs 225


“Spanish riot police fired rubber bullets and forced their way into activist-held polling
stations in Catalonia on Sunday as thousands turned out to vote in an independence
referendum banned by Madrid. At least 91 people were confirmed injured in clashes out
of more than 330 who went to hospital, emergency services said, as police cracked
down on what the Spanish central government branded a ‘farce.’ The violence further
heightened tensions between Madrid and the authorities in Catalonia in the worst
political crisis the country has witnessed in decades. ‘Spanish democracy faces its
greatest challenge,’ headlined top-selling El País daily just hours before police moved in
en masse to seal off polling stations and seize ballot boxes, sparking scuffles as they
sought to block the vote.”

Warrant: The Catalan government voted to make the outcome of the referendum binding

Reuters “Factbox: What do laws say about Catalan self-determination?” Reuters.
10/10/17. < https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-laws-
factbox/factbox-what-do-laws-say-about-catalan-self-determination-
idUSKBN1CF25H>

“Legislation passed in the Catalan parliament on Sept. 6 states that the outcome of
the referendum is binding, and if it produces more affirmative than negative votes, this
implies the independence of Catalonia. Within two days of the official announcement
of the result of the referendum, the Catalan parliament will formally declare
independence, explain the effects of the decision and start the process of founding a
republic.”

Analysis: Explain that the Spanish government itself undermined a pure expression of
democracy from Catalonians and perpetuated the deterioration of rule of law by sending in
armed troops.
Champion Briefs 226

CON: Catalonian independence would make Spain a less

effective global partner
Argument: Catalonian independence will reduce Spain’s ability to act as a strong global power,
harming the country itself and its allies like the United States and EU countries.

Warrant: Unified Spain is a stronger global partner

Daniel Runde “The Case Against Catalan Independence” Foreign Policy. 9/18/15. <
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/09/18/the-case-against-catalan-independence-
spain/>

“When the current prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, was interior minister, he was one
of the first senior officials to come to the United States to meet with the Bush
administration after the 9/11 attacks to signal Spain’s cooperation with America in the
War on Terror. Rajoy is also the leader of the People’s Party (PP), which produced such
friends of the United States as Jose Maria Aznar and Ana Palacio. These friends of ours
were willing to send troops to Iraq and Afghanistan in the teeth of strong disapproval in
Spain. This support, along with the al Qaeda terrorist attacks in Madrid just before the
2004 general elections, cost the PP its government and our friends their political
careers. I wrote about our potential for partnership when Prime Minister Rajoy was
elected in 2011. A unified Spain is a stronger global partner than a divided one. The
secessionist movement in Spain’s Catalonia region, however, is trying to split off.”

Warrant: Catalonian secession is not in the US’ interest.

Champion Briefs 227

spain/>

“Unofficially, the secession of Catalonia is clearly not in the U.S. interest, just as a split
of Scotland from the UK is not in the U.S. interest. When push came to shove, President
Obama made a statement in the run up to the Scottish election signaling that America
hoped Scotland would remain in the United Kingdom. Just as President Obama weighed
in in favor of unity of the UK, any Republican or Democratic president would weigh in
in favor of Spanish unity if it came to a vote (assuming the U.S. enjoyed a high enough
approval rating in Spain).”

Warrant: Catalonian secession will undermine the Spanish government and EU order.

Richard Youngs “EU Needs a Smarter Response to the Catalonia Crisis” Carnegie Europe.
11/3/17. < http://carnegieeurope.eu/2017/11/03/eu-needs-smarter-response-
to-catalonia-crisis-pub-74623>

“If the EU does not broaden its approach to handling this major political crisis, it will be
complicit in its outcome. Catalonia will test the bloc’s identity as a political project of
reconciliation. If the EU fails to help defuse tensions in Spain, voters across the bloc
could, quite rightly, lose faith in its grand rhetoric about the importance of looking
beyond the nation-state. If they see the EU as little more than a defender of incumbent
governments, it will be no surprise they turn to anti-establishment parties to make
their voices heard.”

Impact: Spain is an effective global partner for the US.

Champion Briefs 228

spain/>

“Spain has been a great friend of the United States, as both a NATO member and a
trade partner. It is a major net contributor to the rule based global order — more than
2000 Spanish troops are involved with numerous UN missions around the world — and
spends around $1.5 billion on foreign assistance annually. Spain also has shared
interests in improving democracy in Venezuela, largely supports the goals of a full
democracy in Cuba, and has been involved on the security side of things in the Sahel.
The current Spanish national government has expressed support for the Transatlantic
Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), a U.S.-European free trade agreement. In
short, Spain is a reliable partner of the United States.”

Impact: Spain is an important European actor.

Josef Janning “Spain: Southern Europe’s underrated player” European Council on
Foreign Relations. 6/2/16. <
http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_spain_southern_europes_underrated_
player_7036>

“From being on the margins of EU policy-making, Spain has come into its own since the
mid-1990s as an active EU policy-maker with an active stance on political issues facing
the EU. The Spain of today seeks to play a central role in political negotiations and
deal-making rather than waiting on the sidelines for a moment when it can trade its
consent on certain issues for additional benefits. At times it seemed that the country
was in fact taking the place of Italy as the most integration-minded country in the South,
as Italian EU policies changed with successive Berlusconi governments.”

Champion Briefs 229

Impact: Spain holds political weight in the EU due to its demographics and economic power

Josef Janning “Spain: Southern Europe’s underrated player” European Council on
Foreign Relations. 6/2/16. <
http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_spain_southern_europes_underrated_
player_7036>

“In light of its demographic and economic weight and in view of its location at the
crossroads of Europe and North Africa, Spain seems to be underrated in the current
line-up of the large EU member states. Its appreciation among EU governments
appears to be shaped by an “eastern bias” among many EU governments and
constrained by the fallout from the financial crisis. Over time, both factors will have to
be reassessed, or European policy will be locked into misperceptions. In particular, a
strategy that is focused on strengthening the political centre of the EU needs to pay
attention to the EU policy of Spain. If and when the new balance of the Spanish party
system consolidates and the financial crisis is kept under control, Madrid could be a key
player in shaping Europe as part of a coalition of pro-integration member states.”

Analysis: The impacts here are multi-fold and wide-reaching. Explain how a separate Catalonia
would harm US interests by giving it a weaker partner in Europe, EU interests by introducing a
new global order, and Spanish interests by making it less able to advocate for itself on the
global stage.

Champion Briefs 230

A/2: Catalonian independence would make Spain a less

effective global partner.
Answer: Catalonia could become a strong regional player itself

Warrant: Catalonia has the resources to develop its own effective military.

James Hasik “The Military Implications of Scottish and Catalonian Secession” Atlantic
Council. 8/26/15. < http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/defense-
industrialist/the-military-implications-of-scottish-and-catalonian-secession>

“Catalonia has 7.3 million people, with more than $300 billion in GDP. Spending just
1.6% of that on defense provides over $4.5 billion annually, or roughly the budget of
Denmark, which has well-regarded and efficient armed forces. Catalonian military plans
are more vague, but so far, they emphasize the navy. With excellent ports in Barcelona
and Tarragona, Catalonia is well-positioned as a minor naval power, ‘with the
Mediterranean as our strategic environment, and NATO as our framework’, as
the nationalists’ think-tank on defense argues. The rough plans call for a littoral security
group of a few hundred sailors at first. After a few years, Catalonia would assume
responsibility as "a main actor in the Mediterranean," with land-based maritime
patrol aircraft and small surface combatants. Eventually, the nationalist ambition may
include an expeditionary group with a light assault carrier and hundreds of marines, to
take a serious role in collective security.”

Warrant: Catalonia could play a unique role in European political affairs.

Champion Briefs 231

James Hasik “The Military Implications of Scottish and Catalonian Secession” Atlantic
Council. 8/26/15. < http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/defense-
industrialist/the-military-implications-of-scottish-and-catalonian-secession>

“Of course, all these plans are subject to the vagaries of each country’s political process,
but even the announced policies differ importantly. Scotland’s tiny replication of British
capabilities wouldn’t be so clearly efficient. On the other hand, Catalonia’s ambition
would be more restrained. If accurately characterized by the few white papers that have
surfaced, the separatists’ position suggests a valuable and refreshing view of
specialization in collective defense: build a navy that is comparatively focused on
influencing events ashore. By de-emphasizing the military forces that any landlocked
country will have, and instead steering investments towards those it is comparatively
positioned to provide, Catalonia could punch above its weight in European political
affairs. There may be no further Álvaro de Bazáns in Barcelona, but there may be
new littoral forces that NATO needs around the periphery of the Mediterranean.”

Analysis: Argue that any lost relations with Spain will be balanced by strong relations with a
new Catalonia, capable of defending itself. This also has the advantage of being able to deal
with a wealthier nation that is likely to eventually become more powerful and is thus
comparatively better than the status quo.

Answer: Spain is too important to lose prominence on the world stage.

Warrant: Spain is an important NATO ally.

Reuters “NATO says Catalonia issue domestic matter to be resolved by Spain” Reuters.
10/27/17. < https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-nato/nato-says-
catalonia-issue-domestic-matter-to-be-resolved-by-spain-idUSKBN1CW29Y>

Champion Briefs 232

“Spain remains an important NATO ally and Catalonia is a domestic issue that should be
resolved by the Spanish institutional framework, a NATO official said on Friday.
Asked about the Catalan parliament’s declaration of independence, a NATO official
said: “‘Spain is a committed ally, which makes important contributions to our shared
security. The Catalonia issue is a domestic matter which should be resolved within
Spain’s constitutional order.’”

Warrant: European countries are supporting Spain in the Catalonia dispute.

Pamela Rolfe and James McAuley “As Catalan independence vote nears, Europe
supports keeping Spain intact” The Washington Post. 9/23/17. <
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/as-catalan-independence-
vote-nears-europe-supports-keeping-spain-intact/2017/09/22/c8b0affe-9edc-
11e7-b2a7-bc70b6f98089_story.html?utm_term=.52585af6cfc9>

“The remarks fanned the flames of the latest separatist campaign in an embattled
European Union, a bloc of 28 member states with their own respective histories and
often-fragile national identities. Brussels said it would not interfere with the Catalan
referendum. But while most European leaders have avoided speaking out against the
referendum directly, many wish to avoid a successful precedent for a breakaway
region welcomed into the bloc, given the number of similar regions across Europe that
might soon try to do the same. Most share the opinion of German Chancellor Angela
Merkel, whose representatives told Reuters that Berlin has ‘great interest in the
maintenance of stability in Spain.’”

Analysis: Use this argument to do warrant-level weighing on the interests of the US and other
Spanish allies. These nations care far more about preserving their important relationships with
Spain than about what specifically Spain can bring to the relationship. Put the Con in a double
bind: if these relationships are so important, why would they suddenly fracture with an
independent Catalonia?

Champion Briefs 233

CON: It is preferable for Catalonia to negotiate with the

Spanish government
Argument: Instead of seceding, Catalonia should remain a part of Spain and negotiate with the
Spanish government to extract political and economic concessions.

Warrant: Catalan leaders would accept economic favors over secession

Reuters Staff “The Basque Country: Spain’s effective but expensive antidote to
secession” Reuters. 10/9/17. < https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-
politics-catalonia-basques-anal/the-basque-country-spains-effective-but-
expensive-antidote-to-secession-idUSKBN1CE2G6>

“But the most moderate lawmakers in the region’s ruling coalition privately say they
could drop independence claims if they were given the tax autonomy that Basque
Country enjoys. In Madrid, some socialists have suggested it could serve as a model
for a compromise that would defuse Spain’s biggest political crisis since a failed coup
in 1981, although the cost to the central government would be significant. Basque
staged modest protests over Madrid’s violent crackdown on Catalonia’s referendum,
but the crisis has failed to rekindle secessionist fervor on the streets of Bilbao, the
Basque capital nestled on the banks of the Nervion.”

Warrant: Catalonia currently pays more to the Spanish government than it receives back.

Champion Briefs 234


“Catalonia has long said it pays a disproportionate level of taxes to Madrid in relation
to the central funding it receives. A study backed by the Budget Ministry says Catalonia
pays to the state 9.9 billion euros more than it receives. The Catalan economy ministry
says this is even higher. Economists say an overhaul of the fiscal relationship between
Madrid and the regions is overdue because the current system has led to intense tax
competition between regions. Some autonomous communities have become under-
financed, resulting in cuts in public services. ‘Now the situation is so critical, there
might just be the political momentum needed to tackle it,’ said Antonio Garcia Pascual
of Barclays Capital.”

Warrant: Basques no longer want independence.


“Catalan flags hang from balconies alongside the Basque flag in a sign of solidarity, but
Bilbao is prosperous and peaceful. Where once unionist politicians needed bodyguards
and car bombings were a constant fear, tourists now crowd the taverns of the old town
and the world-famous Guggenheim museum. Just 17 percent of Basques want
independence and less than half would like to hold a referendum on the issue,
according to a poll carried out by the university of Deusto. Basque militant group ETA,
which killed more than 850 people in a decades-long campaign to carve out a separate
state, effectively ended its armed resistance this year when it surrendered its weapons.
Champion Briefs 235

The region now has one of the highest economic outputs per capita and one of the
lowest unemployment rates in Spain.”

Warrant: The Basques are aiding negotiations between the Spanish and Catalonian
governments

Esteban Duarte “Basques Are Working Back Channels Between Catalans and Spain,”
Bloomberg. 10/11/17. < https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-
11/basques-are-said-to-work-back-channel-between-catalans-and-spain>

“The Basque Country’s ruling party is acting as an interlocutor between Spain’s central
government and the Catalan regional executive in a bid to reduce tension and find a
compromise, according to three people familiar with the matter. Senior officials from
the Basque Nationalist Party, known as the PNV, have been trying to find common
ground between Madrid and Barcelona to limit the fallout from the biggest
institutional clash of Spain’s democratic era, said the people, who asked not to be
named because the matter is confidential.”

Impact: Dialogue is being pursued in the status quo.

Esteban Duarte “Basques Are Working Back Channels Between Catalans and Spain,”
Bloomberg. 10/11/17. < https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-
11/basques-are-said-to-work-back-channel-between-catalans-and-spain>

“Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy set out on the path toward intervening in the
government of Catalonia, Spain’s largest economic region, after its president, Carles
Puigdemont, claimed the right to independence and immediately put it on hold for an
indefinite period to pursue dialogue. Rajoy, who runs a minority administration, was
able to pass the government’s 2017 budget with the help of the PNV’s five lawmakers,
Champion Briefs 236

who backed the law in exchange for a more favorable calculation of the region’s
contribution to Spanish coffers.”

Impact: Spain grants Basque special treatment to prevent secession


“As Spain and Catalonia head toward a constitutional collision over the region’s claim
to independence, lawmakers on both sides of the crisis are pointing to a way out:
north, to Basque Country. Among the verdant mountains of Basque Country, which
borders France, a once-violent campaign for independence has petered out, with
generous fiscal autonomy from Madrid helping to keep popular agitation for
independence in check. ‘We don’t have that economic resentment,’ Aitor Esteban,
organizer for the Basque National Party in Spain’s parliament, told Reuters in an
interview at party headquarters in Bilbao. ‘People don’t feel that need to act upon a
grievance about money; that makes a big difference.’”

Analysis: Use this argument to co-opt any pro impacts about improved economic or political
outcomes for Catalonia. Argue that instead of dealing with the myriad of issues with
establishing and developing an entirely new state, Catalans are uniquely positioned to extract
concessions from the Spanish government and would benefit from remaining a part of Spain.

Champion Briefs 237


A/2: It is preferable for Catalonia to negotiate with the Spanish
government
Answer: Catalonia is unlikely to receive concessions.

Warrant: Concessions would be extremely costly for Spain.


“Basque’s fiscal autonomy is among the most generous of any region in Europe, dating
back to the 19th century and enshrined in Spain’s 1978 constitution. If it were to be
extended to Catalonia, an economically more powerful region accounting for a fifth of
national production, the Spanish state would lose about 16 billion euros, according to
a 2014 study by research house CSIC. That would equal about 13 percent of next year’s
budget and affect Spain’s deficit and borrowing costs.”

Warrant: The Spanish Prime Minister has said he will not grant concessions to Catalonia
.

Champion Briefs 238

“For that reason, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has ruled out such generous
treatment for Catalonia. Under Basque’s accord with Madrid, the region collects
nearly all its own taxes, which are forecast to total 13 billion euros ($15 billion) this
year. It is due to return 800 million euros to Madrid in what is known as an annual quota
to cover the costs of national expenses such as defense or infrastructure. Rajoy has
sweetened that arrangement since he regained power at the head of a minority
government last year, as the price of securing Basque National Party support for his
2017 budget.”

Warrant: Other regions would oppose special treatment for Catalonia.


“It has proved unpopular with other regions who would almost certainly oppose any
similar deal for Catalonia, as it would mean cutting their share of state revenue.
Typically, regions pass taxes to Madrid which redistributes money back to them
according to a formula that favors the poorer regions. Former Catalan leader Artur Mas
tried to hold talks with Rajoy in 2012 about granting Catalonia powers to raise and
spend its own taxes, but the prospect of negotiations in the current climate look
bleak.”

Warrant: The Spanish government is unlikely to grant future concessions.

Interview by Zachary Laub with Pablo Beramendi, “Can Catalonia Split With Spain?”
Council on Foreign Relations. 9/29/17. < https://www.cfr.org/interview/can-
catalonia-split-spain>
Champion Briefs 239


“Between the early 1980s and the early 2000s, Catalan [political] parties would
typically demand additional powers from Madrid, especially during periods in which
they were necessary for coalition building in the national parliament. Through this
mechanism they extracted concessions in terms of [autonomy over spending]. But by
the early 2000s, the institutional room for additional accommodations within the
common system was reaching a limit. The Catalan government demanded a reform of
[the law governing its autonomy,] the Estatuto de Autonomia, to approximate those of
the Basque Country and Navarre. This demand also covered political and symbolic
aspects, including, among others, the recognition of Catalonia as a nation and the status
of Catalan as the primary language for public administration in Catalonia.”

Analysis: This response shows that even if the Spanish government has granted concessions in
the past, they’re unlikely to do so in the future and thus Catalonian secession provides a unique
benefit to Catalans. Emphasize that other alternatives are comparatively worse that full-on
secession.

Answer: Catalans won’t accept less than independence.

Warrant: The secession movement was driven largely by cultural, not economic reasons

Nafees Hamid, Clara Pretus “How Spain Misunderstood the Catalan Independence
Movement” 10/1/17.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/10/catalan-
referendum-spain-independence/541656/.

“According to our research, the top two sacred values motivating the Catalan
movement were the right to vote for independence and the protection of Catalan
identity. In studies of conflicts around the world, our colleagues have found that threats
Champion Briefs 240

to sacred values and identities often lead to increased activism and, sometimes,
violence. The denial of a vote is a threat to these values and identity and, most likely,
will only further fuel the independence movement. Until recently, many supporters of
the referendum have been undecided on the question of independence. However, the
denial of the vote by Madrid has outraged some, turning them into pro-independence
activists.”

Warrant: Denying Catalonians secession will fuel more extreme nationalism

Nafees Hamid, Clara Pretus “How Spain Misunderstood the Catalan Independence
Movement” 10/1/17.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/10/catalan-
referendum-spain-independence/541656/.

“The actions of the Spanish government reveal a deep misunderstanding about the
psychology of the independence movement. Authorities are attempting to wear down
the movement by denying a vote. Our findings suggested that Madrid’s current
approach may well backfire: The government’s muscular response to Catalans’ desire
for self-determination could increase the number of independentists and heighten
their passion, which, in the long run, may further erode the stability and reputation of
Spain’s central government. Allowing a vote to proceed, meanwhile, could actually
strengthen Madrid.”

Analysis: This response allows you to show that even if some Catalans want to negotiate, many
do not and denying them secession will only stoke unrest and embolden nationalists. Further,
argue that even if it is likely for the Spanish government to agree to negotiations, no outcome
short of secession will suffice for Catalan leadership.

Champion Briefs 241

CON: Many Catalans do not want to secede
Argument: Though the movement was advertised as a “pro-democracy” push for sovereignty,
the majority of Catalonians themselves do not want independence. Thus, Catalonian succession
would undermine democracy rather than promote it and suppress the voices of Catalonians
who want to remain Spanish citizens.

Warrant: There are strong anti-secession movements in Catalonia

Pau Mari-Klose “Catalans don’t want to secede, they want to be heard” Politico.
9/30/17. < https://www.politico.eu/article/catalonia-referendum-independence-
want-to-vote-not-secede/>

“Secessionists typically rely on two pieces of data to back up their argument.
First, they point to the impressive mobilization of independence supporters in the
streets over the past six years, particularly on the Catalan national holiday on
September 11. This year, some estimated 500,000 people took to the streets in
Barcelona — approximately one in every 14 Catalan citizens. It’s an impressive turnout.
But it is essential to bear in mind that in all recent elections held in Catalonia — and
there have been several since 2012 — parties opposing secession received similar
levels of support to those in favor. They are simply less visible on the streets. It would
be dangerous for a liberal democracy to allow highly mobilized actors with the
capacity to organize large-scale demonstrations to impose their agenda on the larger
society that may not agree.”

Warrant: Catalonians want a referendum, but not to secede

Champion Briefs 242


“The second piece of evidence used by pro-independence supporters is the claim that
70-80 percent of Catalans supported a referendum in every survey conducted on the
issue since 2012. This is indeed true. When asked a binary question, Catalans have
overwhelmingly responded in the affirmative. But this too cannot be taken as clear
proof that there is widespread support for the idea that a vote for independence is the
best way to handle the conflict. What does the data really tell us? It confirms
something we already know: People want a say in their future and, accordingly, tend
to see referendums as a good thing. Support for referendums and popular initiatives
on a wide variety of issues is growing across the Continent. Increasingly, citizens
expect to play a greater role in government and are less likely to choose to defer to
authority, studies show.”

Warrant: Many Catalonians do not support independence


“For years, the Spanish sociology research center CIS has asked Catalans and other
Spaniards about the territorial organization of regions in Spain. The question was not a
binary “yes” or “no” but it explicitly included the possibility of regions becoming
independent countries. Among Catalans, the percentage of those ticking the
independence option increased slowly between 2006 and 2011 from 15 percent to 30
percent. It surged to its highest level in 2013, after the Popular Party came to power,
reaching 40.6 percent. It has slowly decreased since and now stands between 30- 35
Champion Briefs 243

percent. The data support the idea that a significant percentage of Catalans that
approves of holding a referendum doesn’t directly support the idea of Catalonia
becoming an independent country. Furthermore, a large number of Catalans who say
they want to vote are “weak supporters” of a referendum as a solution — especially if
it is not sanctioned by Madrid.”

Warrant: Most Catalonians only want independence if it is sanctioned by the Spanish
government


“According to various polls conducted over the past three years, at least one-third of
the 70-80 percent of Catalans who support a referendum would only favor holding this
referendum if it were previously negotiated with the central government. In
November 2014, when the Catalan government held a nonbinding pseudo-referendum
that was declared illegal by the Constitutional Court, only around 37 percent of
eligible voters went to the polls, even though there were no restrictions to take part.
Similarly, recent polling shows that only 34 percent of Catalans think the upcoming
unilateral referendum on October 1 meets the necessary guarantees to be declared
legal and valid. This percentage is lower than the proportion of Catalans — 48 percent
— who indicated in a survey conducted by the Catalan sociology research center CEO
in June that they wanted a referendum even if Madrid objected to it.”

Warrant: Catalonians are divided over independence in the most recent polls.

government cracked down on it” Vox. 10/2/17. <
Champion Briefs 244

https://www.vox.com/world/2017/10/2/16393956/catalonia-catalan-

“Catalonia’s economic prowess was instrumental in helping Madrid finally recover from
the devastating 2008 economic crisis and the subsequent years spent climbing back out
of that fiscal nightmare. Many Catalans are angry that they funnel more taxes into
Madrid than they receive back in government aid. It got them thinking they’d be better
off as citizens of their own state. And yet, this referendum aside, most polls show that
the region is deeply divided over the question of independence — 41 percent of
Catalans say they want a fully independent Catalonia, while just under 50 percent say
they want to remain part of Spain.”

Warrant: Some Catalonians wanted a referendum to increase relations with Spain.


“Missing in most of the conversations about Sunday’s violence was the voice of those
who wanted a referendum in order to bolster their union with Spain. Remember that
in the most recent poll, nearly 50 percent of the region’s residents indicated they were
against secession. ‘They’ve called me a quisling, a turncoat, a sellout, a coward, a wimp
and a traitor,’ wrote Jordi Ballart, a Catalan politician who came out against
independence, on his Facebook page.”

Impact: A referendum in a politically-divided Catalonia would not be representative.

Champion Briefs 245


“Indeed, an independence referendum is particularly dangerous in a region like
Catalonia. Referendums are not suited to divided societies. Places like Belgium and
Northern Ireland, for example — where cleavages are based on entrenched ethnic,
linguistic or religious divisions — hardly ever resort to them. And, when they do, the
experience has been traumatic, both exposing and deepening sectarian hostility.
Divided societies need powersharing strategies to defuse conflicts. Given the strong
correlation between language and political preferences on the issue of Catalan
independence, a referendum will become a divisive zero-sum mechanism, in which a
small — and probably unstable — majority imposes its preferences in a manner not
easily reversible. The outcome will be undesirable from a democratic standpoint, for
both sides of the debate.”

Impact: Referendum votes are often undemocratic

Amanda Taub and Max Fisher “Why Referendums Aren’t as Democratic as They Seem”
New York Times. 10/4/16. <
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/world/americas/colombia-brexit-
referendum-farc-cameron-
santos.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&module=RelatedCoverage
&region=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article>

“Though such votes are portrayed as popular governance in its purest form, studies
have found that they often subvert democracy rather than serve it. They tend to be
volatile, turning not just on the merits of the decision but also on unrelated political
swings or even, as may have happened in Colombia, on the weather. Voters must make
their decisions with relatively little information, forcing them to rely on political
Champion Briefs 246

messaging — which puts power in the hands of political elites rather than those of
voters. ‘This is a tool that’s risky, but politicians keep using it because they think that
they’ll win,’ said Alexandra Cirone, a fellow at the London School of Economics. But
often they do not win, and instead of resolving political problems, the referendums
create new ones. Looking over the research on these votes, it becomes clear why many
experts are skeptical.”

Impact: Referendum votes oversimplify complicated issues

Amanda Taub and Max Fisher “Why Referendums Aren’t as Democratic as They Seem”
New York Times. 10/4/16. <
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/world/americas/colombia-brexit-
referendum-farc-cameron-
santos.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&module=RelatedCoverage
&region=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article>

“Voters face a problem in any referendum: They need to distill difficult policy choices
down to a simple yes or no, and predict the outcome of decisions so complex that
even experts might spend years struggling to understand them. Voters typically solve
this problem by finding what the political scientists Arthur Lupia and Mathew D.
McCubbins have termed ‘short cuts.’ The voters follow the guidance of trusted
authority figures or fit the choice within a familiar narrative. When a referendum is
put forward by the government, people often vote in support if they like the
leadership and vote in opposition if they dislike it, according to research by Lawrence
LeDuc, a political scientist and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto.”

Analysis: You can use this argument to beat back pro arguments that claim independence is
necessary for promoting democracy and guaranteeing the rights of Catalonians. You can weigh
this argument later in the round by explaining that the decision to secede should be evaluated
primarily through the Catalonian perspective, since they would be affected most directly by
secession.
Champion Briefs 247

A/2: Many Catalans do not want to secede

Answer: Catalonians want to secede

Warrant: Most Catalonians voted to secede.

Ashish Kumar Sen “EU Membership on the Line: Independence Would Prove Costly for
Catalonia” Atlantic Council. 10/2/17. <
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/eu-membership-on-the-
line-independence-would-prove-costly-for-catalonia>

“The Catalan government is claiming that over 90 percent of those who took part in the
referendum voted in favor of independence. That was 2.2 million voters, they say, out
of 5.3 million eligible voters. In part because of the opposition of the Spanish
government, this was not an election with a lot of rigor. You could print out a ballot
paper, show up at a balloting place, not be on the rolls but still get to vote. It is not as
though really high standards of voter integrity were being observed. But that is also in
part because this referendum was being conducted in opposition to the wishes of the
central government. There was little voter turnout, but not miniscule with, we think,
an overwhelming result for independence. That was largely as expected.”

Warrant: Voter suppression may have decreased referendum turnout

Champion Briefs 248


“The more important element was the specter of violence that we saw with the police
sent by the federal government trying to physically close voting locations and
sometimes eject with very strong force people who were trying to keep those voting
stations open. A lot of us expected some violence, but this was much more than we
thought there would be. Although the Rajoy government was undoubtedly correct in
the legal sense that this referendum was unconstitutional, by sending the police they
really made people who might have been on the fence on independence see Madrid
as very heavy-handed. That plays right into the arguments of the Catalan independence
leadership.”

Analysis: Use this argument to show how Catalonian leadership provided a direct forum for
Catalonians to voice their opinion on secession and they overwhelmingly supported it. This is
the best, most current, most clear way to evaluate what the Catalonian people want.

Answer: All Catalonians would benefit from independence from Spain

Warrant: Catalonians want a distinct cultural region and control over their economy.


“Spain is a very autonomous country. All of its regions are relatively much more
autonomous than other areas in Europe. There has been a tradition of the different
regions having their own political personality. With Catalonia, that has increased in
recent years. They do have their own language and there has traditionally been some
Catalan nationalism. There was a lot of frustration during the eurozone financial crisis
Champion Briefs 249

because Catalonia is one of the richer areas of Spain, if not the richest, and they felt
that they were sending money to Madrid which was spending it in less well-off regions
of the country to get out of the financial crisis.”

Warrant: Independent Catalonia would be able to control its own finances.

Lucia Benavides “An uncertain future for an independent Catalonia” Open Canada.
10/6/17. <https://www.opencanada.org/features/uncertain-future-
independent-catalonia/>

“With a GDP of 266 million Euros, Catalonia is one of the richest regions in Spain,
making up almost one fifth of the country’s economic output. Barcelona — Spain’s
second-largest city — is the capital of the region. And while the fight for independence
may be political and cultural, it’s also economic. The independence movement gained
momentum in the last five to 10 years, partly a result of the 2008 economic crisis that
caused Spain’s unemployment rate to rise to 26 percent. But Elisenda Paluzie,
economics professor at the University of Barcelona, says what really caused separatist
sentiments to grow was a Catalan statute of autonomy that was struck down by
Spain’s Constitutional Court in 2010. It would have given Catalonia more power to
collect its own taxes, as opposed to funnelling them straight to the central
government, where Spain decides how to distribute public funds. ‘Catalan economy is
financing fiscally most of the regions in Spain, in the sense that we represent 16
percent of the Spanish population and we provide in taxes 20 percent of all taxes
collected in Spain,’ says Paluzie. She says Catalonia only receives 14 percent back in
public funds.”

Analysis: Argue that even if some Catalonians do not support independence in theory, they will
all enormously benefit from cultural autonomy and economic prosperity. In the long run, these
material benefits matter more than vague impacts about “democracy” and “sovereignty”
coming from the Con.

Champion Briefs 250

CON: New Catalonia would be internationally isolated
Argument: Spain and the international community at-large do not support an independent
Catalonia. Thus, Catalonia will not be able to integrate into the international order upon
becoming independent.

Warrant: Independent Catalonia wouldn’t be allowed to join international organizations

spain/>

“A secessionist Catalonia would have a very difficult time getting into the European
Union because Spain would veto its entry. An independent Catalonia would have the
same problem with using the Euro. U.S. and other multinational companies that have
operations in Catalonia would likely relocate to different parts of Spain or the EU
given the uncertainty potential secession poses from a business perspective. It is
unclear given NATO enlargement fatigue if an independent Catalonia would be admitted
to NATO, even before considering a near certain veto by Spain.”

Warrant: The EU refused to acknowledge the Catalonian referendum.


Champion Briefs 251

“In a country that has only been a democracy for four decades, the scenes of police
violence — which left some 800 people injured — looked like images from Spain’s
bygone era of fascist leadership. The Catalans called upon the European Union to
intervene on their behalf. The EU officially refused. ‘This is an internal matter for Spain
that has to be dealt with in line with the constitutional order of Spain,’ a spokesperson
for the EU said on Monday morning. The spokesperson then went further and warned
the Catalans that their independence drive risked leaving them even more isolated
internationally. ‘Beyond the purely legal aspects of this matter, the Commission
believes that these are times for unity and stability, not divisiveness and
fragmentation,’ the statement read.”

Warrant: The international community does not support an independent Catalonia.

Max Fisher, Amanda Taub “Catalans and Kurds Discover the Hard Truth About
Secession” New York Times. 9/29/17. <
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/europe/independence-
movements-catalans-kurds.html?_r=0>

“Ms. Coggins called it ‘a beautiful, peaceful movement’ but ‘utterly befuddling from an
international relations perspective.’ The Catalans have little international support and
face heavy opposition, as do Iraq’s Kurds, setting both on a collision course with world
powers and the painful contradictions of secession politics. And they come at a time
when American leadership, increasingly withdrawn, is unavailable to resolve or at least
gloss over those contradictions.”

Warrant: Spain does not support an independent Catalonia

Max Fisher, Amanda Taub “Catalans and Kurds Discover the Hard Truth About
Secession” New York Times. 9/29/17. <
Champion Briefs 252

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/europe/independence-
movements-catalans-kurds.html?_r=0>

“‘As it is generally understood, there is no right to secede under international law,’”
Chris Borgen, a law professor, wrote in 2014 for Opinio Juris, a legal scholarship site. He
added, ‘Secession is neither a right nor necessarily illegal.’ In practice, great power
politics fill the vacuum, determining when a state’s right to uphold its borders does or
does not trump a group’s desire to break away. South Sudan’s independence
referendum, for instance, grew out of the internationally brokered peace agreement
that ended Sudan’s long-running civil war. That meant it had built-in international
legitimacy and the government of Sudan had effectively already consented to a break of
some kind. Spain has not consented to the Catalans’ independence, nor Iraq to the
Kurds’. Without such consent, situations become far more volatile. Kosovo’s
declaration of independence from Serbia had the support of the United States and its
European allies, but was bitterly opposed by the Serbian and Russian governments.
Today, although recognized by over 100 countries, Kosovo still has not been admitted
to the United Nations.”

Impact: Removal from the EU would harm Catalonians


“Catalonia would lose membership of the European Union (EU) if it were to declare
independence from Spain—a development that would have serious economic
consequences for this affluent region, according to the Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell.
‘That means barriers will go up immediately; no free movement for people who have
Champion Briefs 253

Catalan passports; no free movement of goods of services to and from Catalonia; their
relationship with the euro will be suspect, like Kosovo which uses the euro with no
legal power to do so; there would be no common agricultural policy money for
Catalonia,’ said Burwell, painting a dire scenario that, she believes, has not been given
adequate consideration in the Catalan people’s headlong rush toward independence.”

Impact: Banks are moving out of Catalonia.

John Kester “France Won’t Recognize an Independent Catalonia” Foreign Policy.
10/9/17. < http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/09/france-wont-recognize-an-
independent-catalonia/>

“On the ground in Catalonia, as separatist rhetoric turns into nationalist action, banks
and businesses are increasingly getting spooked. The Catalan business association says
capital is fleeing and estimates that hundreds of companies could be pulling up stakes
in the region and heading to other parts of Spain. On Friday, the board of CaixaBank,
which makes up roughly half of Catalonia’s banking sector, announced that it would
be moving its headquarters to Valencia. There’s a simple reason why: Banks deal in
real currencies with existing economies. The bank wants to ‘protect the interests of
[its] customers, shareholders and employees by ensuring that the entity remains in
the euro-zone and under the supervision of the European Central Bank,’ it said in a
release. Sabadell, another of Spain’s largest banks, said it would move from Barcelona
to Alicante, another city in the Valencia region. Sabadell emphasized that it would
continue to operate ‘with absolute normality’ under the European Central Bank and the
European Banking Authority, according to a press release last week.”

Impact: Independence without international support could lead to unrest.

Champion Briefs 254

Teemu Tammikko “The Catalonian independence project: The frustration of the near-
majority,” Finnish Institute of International Affairs. 10/6/17. <
https://www.fiia.fi/en/publication/the-catalonian-independence-project?read>

“Given the challenges of the polarized situation, there are few good choices left on the
table. A unilateral declaration of independence would make Catalonia an outcast
nation, and most likely result in the Spanish government exercising its constitutional
powers to override Catalonia’s autonomy. This would lead to further polarization and
likely an escalation in violence. Separatists might win some sympathies with this move,
but such sympathies would come at a price. By sticking to this path, either the central
government or the Catalonian regional government could fall.”

Analysis: If an independent Catalonia is unable to join international institutions and
organizations, they will be unable to develop economically or politically and will never become
a stable nation. Thus, you can weigh the comparative between a crippled, undeveloped new
Catalonia and its current status as part of Spain.

Champion Briefs 255

A/2: New Catalonia would be internationally isolated
Answer: Some international actors support Catalonian independence.

Warrant: Scottish lawmakers support Catalonian independence.

Reuters “Scottish lawmakers call for international recognition for Catalan
independence” Reuters. 11/2/17. < https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-
scotland-catalonia/scottish-lawmakers-call-for-international-recognition-for-
catalan-independence-idUSKBN1D20VN>

“Pro-independence Scottish lawmakers have presented a motion in their devolved
parliament urging international recognition of Catalonia’s unilateral declaration of
independence from Spain, putting pressure on Scotland’s leader to endorse the
movement. Scotland’s pro-independence First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has criticized
Madrid’s handling of the crisis with its northern region but refrained from backing the
declaration. The European Union, which she would like to see admitting a future
independent Scotland, has backed Spain’s central government. According to the website
of the Scottish parliament, the lawmakers’ motion called on ‘the international
community to recognize the vote of the Catalan parliament for an independent republic
of Catalonia’.”

Warrant: International opinion on Catalonian independence may change.

AFP-JIJI “Catalonia’s independence bid is unlikely to be recognized by the international
community” Japan Times. 10/28/16. <
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/10/28/world/politics-diplomacy-
Champion Briefs 256

world/catalonias-independence-bid-unlikely-recognized-international-
community/#.Wih0MWVxyFI>

“Is Catalonia’s UDI legal? That is a complicated question, and two important legal
findings may help determine the answer, the experts say. The first is a 2010 advisory
opinion by the U.N.’s highest tribunal, the International Court of Justice, on Kosovo’s
declaration of independence from Serbia. The second is a 1998 opinion by the
Canadian Supreme Court. After being asked by the U.N. General Assembly to rule on
the issue, the ICJ concluded that Kosovo’s declaration “did not violate international
law” or Security Council resolutions.”

Analysis: Use this answer to minimize the impact of international support. Some nations
directly support independent Catalonia and others have supported movements for secession in
the past.

Answer: Catalonia could survive without Spain.

Warrant: Independence would allow Catalonia to use its regions wealth for its own citizens.

Michelle Przemyk “Would Catalonia be better as an independent nation?” The
Guardian. 11/20/12. <
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/20/readers-panel-independent-
catalonia-spain>

“Catalans have had enough of belonging to a state where their language and culture
are not respected and where their industry and economy are systematically stifled by
centralist parties. An independent Catalonia would be better providing its new leaders
take the opportunity to make a well overdue restructuring and modernisation of all
legislative and judicial departments which at the moment depend on the central
Champion Briefs 257

government. The endless bureaucracy involved in many areas of public administration is

still a vestige of Franco, with no signs of any central government improving this. It takes
months to set up a new company, whereas elsewhere it takes a day. The judicial system
is exasperatingly clogged and slow, making it impossible for people to believe in it - the
Prestige case has taken ten years to come to court. The Catalan health service is
recognised as the best in Spain but the cost of running it is pushed up by its being used
by people from the rest of the country. And with the extra 20 billion euros that
Catalan tax payers currently pay to Madrid every year and are not returned, a lot
could be done to improve social welfare, education and infrastructures.”

Warrant: Independent Catalonia can create a more business-friendly, stable economic
environment

Nick Bedson “Would Catalonia be better as an independent nation?” The Guardian.
11/20/12. < https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/20/readers-panel-
independent-catalonia-spain>

“If Catalonia becomes independent and that process is led by the current CiU
government, then judging by the policies they have implemented over the last two
years we can expect a skeleton welfare state, big tax breaks for foreign multinationals,
public funds to pay off the private debts of banks and a close relationship with the
unionist PP on most economic and social issues. This is not the change that many
Catalans who want to be part of an independent state are looking for, though and the
advantages are clear if the left leaning social majority here can take political control:
Catalonia would no longer become a support fund for the rest of Spain, resources
could be used to improve the country's infrastructures and much cultural and
economic energy would be released in the euphoria of independence. At a stroke we
could rid ourselves of the dysfunctional monarchy, the bastions of reaction that are the
Champion Briefs 258

army and the Spanish Church and the insidious influence of the right wing Madrid
media.”

Warrant: Catalonia is a business power-house.

Hamish McRae “The Catalan independence referendum is a much bigger issue for the
EU than Brexit” The Independent. 9/30/17. <
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/catalonia-catalan-referendum-spain-eu-
economic-powerhouse-brexit-european-union-a7975766.html>

“Actually it is much more. The region is an economic powerhouse, in effect subsidising
the rest of the country. Its 7.5 million people, some 16 per cent of the population of
Spain, generate nearly 20 per cent of the country’s GDP. Were it a country it would
rank in economic size somewhere between Denmark and Finland. As for Barcelona
itself, its port is the biggest in the Mediterranean, and the fourth largest cruise ship
destination in the world. It also has two of the top business schools in the world,
ESADE and IESE, and a tradition of business competence. Catalonia attracts one third
of inward investment into Spain, and produces one third of Spain’s exports.”

Analysis: The Catalonian economy is powerful enough that the new independent state would
be able to survive on its own. Explain that this wealth is long-term due to Catalonia’s structural
and cultural status as a business hub and will outlast any initial international backlash.
Countries care more about their own ability to trade with a new nation than taking a stance on
this issue.

Champion Briefs 259

Jan 2018 PF

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The Evidence Standard

1. We will never falsify facts, opinions, dissents, or any other information.

the source of the information is legitimate.

with clarity if we learn that a third-party has attempted to commit deception.

inaccurate methodologies to reach a conclusion or prove a point.

distributed by ourselves or by any third-party.

multitude of perspectives and schools of thought.

and vision of this activity.

students’ understanding of the world around them, as is the purpose of educators.

Letter from the Editor

independence." Catalonia is in the midst of a very controversial independence movement that

relationships, human rights issues, and the history of secession conversations.

The Evidence Standard ....................................................................... 4

PRO: Catalonian independence upholds Catalonian culture ................................................. 121

Topic Analysis by Jakob Urda

Resolved: Spain should grant Catalonia its independence.

either team to answer:

are they universal?

such a claim towards self-determination?

fails to do so, independence may be justified.

there is some fundamental human right to self-determination. The international community

to suggest a prioritization of state-sovereignty over self-determination. On the other hand,

that would create a need for independence.

morally, as well as practically justified.

an interesting piece on how our collective prioritization of statehood over self-determination is

"International legal rules are made by governments. Governments have an interest in

mistake to skip over understanding the nuances of self-determination.

they interact well with the most common aff arguments.

investment and is an important supplier of many goods. Furthermore, the uncertainty

economy, it probably shouldn't.

Good luck this month everyone!

About Jakob Urda

winners of the NCFL national tournament, Harvard, and Blake.

Topic Analysis by Bélen Mella

Resolved: Spain should grant Catalonia its independence.

Spain. Due to a storm of political circumstances, however, it is the question of Catalonian

separatist movements and how they can inform this debate.

Catalonia’s distinct culture and history warrant an independent nation.

Spanish language and laws on the region.”

change her traditionally Catalan name, “Roser.”

Current Political Landscape

implemented austerity measures (which generally entails a reduction of government spending)

austerity measures. Ultimately, “parties campaigning for independence narrowly won a

regional election in 2015.”

Badcock, Puigdemont was backed by a majority in the region’s parliament, consisting of a

We should backtrack a couple of months to understand why. In September 2017,

Puigdemont’s majority in parliament approved a “binding referendum on independence for

is because Spain’s democratic constitution of 1978 --which opponents of independence will

Strategy and Arguments

made that they should.

Another important strand of argumentation is where the Catalonian people stand.

support for independence probably hovering somewhere in the forties.

culture, this could set up a case for independence.

Indeed, the Autonomous Parliament of Catalonia itself is fractured on the question of

much autonomy would they actually be gaining by separating from Spain?

don’t be too hard on yourself if all you end up catching up on is sleep.

Happy Holidays and good luck!

Topic Analysis by Harrison Hurt

Resolved: Spain should grant Catalonia its independence.

Euroscepticism establishes a very interesting climate to debate the topic of Catalonian

The question of Catalonian independence, at its heart, revolves around important

question? How is the right to self-determination weighable against other considerations?