The Case of the Catalans: Why So Many Catalans No Longer Want to be Part of Spain

by Clara Ponsatí

Imagine if your country voted to become independent, that vote was then ignored and its political leaders imprisoned or exiled.
Following Catalonia’s independence referendum, Clara Ponsatí, Education Minister, along with Prime Minister Carles Puigdemont were charged with sedition. They had to leave Catalonia and go into self-imposed exile, and seven of their former cabinet colleagues were imprisoned. The Case of the Catalans is a landmark book that explains the injustice Catalans have faced by being marginalised with their political beliefs rendered unlawful by the Spanish government.
In this book, Ponsatí and her team of influential academics discuss the future of the Catalan people and the political and social tensions that led to the controversial referendum.
In a clear and accessible style, they aim to educate as many people as possible, whether interested in politics or not, about the extraordinarily backward democratic process that currently defines Spain’s national identity and has defied the settled will of the Catalan people.

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2019

About the author

Clara Ponsatí i Obiols (Barcelona, 19 de març de 1957) és una economista i política catalana. Va ser consellera d'Ensenyament de la Generalitat de Catalunya al govern de Carles Puigdemont, destituïda pel Govern espanyol en aplicació de l'article 155 de la Constitució Espanyola el dia 27 d'octubre de 2017 arran de l'organització del Referèndum sobre la Independència de Catalunya de l'1 d'octubre i de la posterior declaració d'independència.

Reviews

[Pere · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book for anyone wanting to understand why Catalonia and the Catalans want to create a new country in the EU, in the XXI century.

The book will dispel the common doubts on international audiences but it can be very enlightening to any non pro-independence Catalan or any Spaniard with willingness to understand the reasons of the political crisis.
Also, it will squash common misunderstandings and false claims about international law and the right of self-determination usually used by the anti-independence supporters.

Totally recommended!

[Imron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed explanations and analysis of the past and current political status within Catalonia. Overall a good read however some of the jargon makes it a bit harder to understand especially if you are not familiar with a lot of political terminology.

[Elizabeth Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the debate on Catalan independence