Socioeconomic Landscape of Spain and Catalonia: An Analysis
Industrial and Post-Industrial Society Characteristics in Europe
Europe is a post-industrial society. The industrial sector, which was the main economic activity on the continent during the twentieth century, has been replaced by the service sector, which now generates more jobs and wealth. This post-industrial society has evolved from an industry-based economy to one focused on services, with the emergence of information and communication technologies playing a significant role.
Indicators: Above or Below the European Average
In 2007, the GDP per capita in Andalusia was 30% higher than the average of the European Union.
Catalonia and its Main Export Market
In 2007, the value of Catalan exports was 49,951.6 million euros, representing a 6% increase from the previous year. 71% of these exports were made within the European Union. However, other indicators demonstrate that Catalonia is below the European average in some aspects of importance, which could negatively influence the future development of its economy and society. These include:
- Public spending on education as a percentage of GDP.
- Gross expenditure on research and development.
Relationship Between Catalan GDP and Population (1850-1950)
Catalonia was an important region in the Spanish economy thanks to industrialization. In 2005, the Catalan GDP was 170,226 million euros, representing 18.74% of the Spanish GDP. Given that the Catalan population represents 15.9% of the total Spanish population, the relationship between these two values is favorable to Catalonia.
EU States with the Highest Production Value: Spain’s Position
In 2007, Spain’s participation in the EU GDP was 8.6%, up from 6.9% in 2000. This makes it the fifth-largest economy in the EU, after Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Despite the strength of these four states, Spain is closing the gap.
Structural Problems and Causes of the Spanish Economy
- Unemployment: Historically, Spain has had one of the highest unemployment rates among EU states, particularly affecting women and individuals under 25.
- Inflation: The rate of price increases in Spain often lies between one and two points above the EU average. One of the most frequent causes of inflation is the increase in oil prices, raw materials, and products traded in the international market. This increase is caused by demand and stock maneuvers.
Spanish Trade, Global Exchanges, and Key Trading Partners
Most of Spain’s external trade is conducted with other EU member states, accounting for 59.1% of imports and 69.3% of exports. The countries with which Spain has the most significant trade exchanges are France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Portugal.
Source on Spanish Trade Deficit
Spain has a trade deficit with most of its major trading partners, particularly Germany and China. A bar graph of Spanish trade exchanges shows that the value of imports is higher, resulting in a significant trade deficit.
Spain’s Global Economy
Spain is a globalized state and ranks among the more developed economies in the world. It is also a country open to foreign capital, thanks to its tourism and multinational companies. According to a World Bank report, Spain ranks as the 11th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).
Spain’s Geographic Position and Importance
Spain is connected to the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees and is only 14km from Africa at the Strait of Gibraltar. This makes it a point of union between Europe and Africa, resulting in remarkable political and social significance.
Differences Between Internal and External EU Borders: Consequences and the Frontex Agency
Due to its strategic position between Africa and Europe, Spain has become an external border of the EU. The Schengen Area, which practically eliminated borders between EU states (now known as internal borders), has led to a decrease in internal border controls. These controls are now only carried out when deemed necessary, such as for combating criminal activities or drug trafficking. The decrease in internal border controls has been accompanied by increased vigilance at the external borders of states that do not belong to the EU. One of the objectives of this increased monitoring is to combat illegal immigration. Spain’s position as the southern tip of Europe makes it a key point for these external borders, as it is the natural entrance from Africa, both through the Strait of Gibraltar and the Canary Islands.
To coordinate actions to control all external borders, the EU created the Frontex agency. Frontex is responsible for monitoring and controlling the limits and entry points into the country, such as airports. It coordinates and facilitates the implementation of necessary measures related to EU policies on external borders and security.
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created after World War II as a military alliance, under the influence of the United States, designed to protect member countries from a hypothetical threat from the Soviet Union. Spain has five military bases integrated into NATO’s structure.
Territorial Organization of Spain
The current territorial organization of Spain is based on the 1978 Constitution, which establishes three different territorial areas: municipal, provincial, and autonomous regions. Local government administration corresponds to the municipal councils, which have a range of powers recognized in the basic law on local authorities. These include security in public places, environmental protection, and contracting of works and services. A province is a local entity with legal personality, formed by a grouping of municipalities. The province was considered an organ of territorial administration, and therefore all actions were organized at the provincial level. Autonomous regions are formed by surrounding provinces that share historical, cultural, and economic characteristics. Each autonomous region has some capacity for self-government, with administrative and legislative autonomy in various aspects specified in the Constitution.
The Statute of Autonomy is a basic rule of an autonomous community in Spain, recognized by the Spanish Constitution of 1978 in its Article 81. Statutes contain the name of the community, its territorial boundaries, the names of its autonomous bodies, the powers they assume, and the official languages of that territory.
Political Divisions of the Catalan Territory
The Catalan territory is divided into Northern Catalonia and the Principality. Northern Catalonia has been part of France since 1659, following the Treaty of the Pyrenees. It does not have autonomy but is incorporated into the Pyrénées-Orientales department within the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The Principality constitutes an autonomous Spanish community, with its administrative capital in Barcelona.
Catalan Countries
These are territories with Catalan language and culture, including the Aragonese comarques to the west of the strip, much of Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and Alghero in the Italian city of Sardinia.
Territorial Government Organization of Catalonia
The Generalitat organized the territory into comarques during the Republican period. When Catalonia gained autonomy, the Generalitat commissioned a study on the territorial division of Catalonia. This study divided Catalonia into 9 regions and 38 comarques. This division was in effect until 1936 and was reinstated in 1939 after the defeat in the Spanish Civil War, when the self-governing freedoms of Catalonia were abolished.
Legal Bases for the Current Territorial Division of Catalonia
The current legal basis is found in the law on the organization and division of Catalonia into counties (1987). A county is defined as a local territorial entity, formed by a grouping of municipalities, with legal personality. Each county must have a county council composed of councilors elected from among the aldermen of the various municipalities in the county. These councils have jurisdiction over certain subjects, such as planning, health, social services, culture, sports, and education.
Territorial Division of 1936
This division saw the creation of three new comarques: Pla de l’Estany, Pla d’Urgell, and Alta Ribagorça. It also recognized the unique personality of the Aran Valley with the creation of the Conselh Generau d’Aran, an autonomous body that administers this region of Occitan culture with far-reaching powers.
Grouping of Comarques: Regions or Vegueries
The 2006 Statute of Autonomy provides for the creation of vegueries as specific areas for territorial governance and inter-municipal local cooperation. These 7 regions are based on the functional areas defined by the General Territorial Plan of Catalonia. The possible new territorial division into vegueries may involve some modification of comarques and the creation of new ones. It will also imply changes in electoral districts and alter the concept of provinces and their limits, although jurisdiction over provinces lies outside the scope of autonomy.