Challenging the Nation-State’s Territorial Integrity through Contestation: Secessionist Rallies in Catalonia

Abstract

This chapter argues that Spain is critically challenged from within by the secessionist movement in Catalonia, which questions the state’s legitimacy and its territorial integrity. The strength of this movement highlights the importance of phenomena such as statehood, identity, and territoriality in the so-called globalization era. The secessionist movement in Catalonia is often portrayed as a top-down process led by Catalan political elites. This narrative, however, tends to ignore the importance of grassroots movements that have organized some of the biggest political demonstrations in Europe for five consecutive years (2012–2016). This paper assesses to what extent the Catalan pro-independence movement constitutes a case of “from below” mobilization and determines its impact on the institutional framework of the Catalonia-Spain relationship.