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.

The book reviews the historical, legal, political and economic aspects of the present conflict between Catalonia and Spain, exploring why so many Catalans are no longer happy to be part of Spain. The book is compiled of six essays from seven Catalan academics, each one examining the case for Catalan independence, and making the situation easy to understand.

The revolution of Catalonia in 1640 was a signal event in seventeenth-century Europe. Its causes and antecedents - essential for an understanding of the revolution itelf - form the basis of Professor Elliott's study of the Spanish monarchy at this time. They throw remarkable light on the whole question of the decline of Spain in the seventeenth century from its position of pre-eminence in Europe. From the fierce suppression of Catalan bandits by their Castilian overlords during the second decade of the century, Professor Elliott traces the gradual deterioration of relations between the principality of Catalonia and the government in Madrid. He shows how Olivares, the favourite and chief minister of Philip IV, attempted to use Catalan resources to fight Spain's foreign wars, and how the growing tension led ultimately to a revolution, which he suggests played a crucial part in Spain's decline. Professor Elliott's story is almost entirely based on previously unknown documents found in the Spanish national and local archives. These sources enabled him to write the first full-scale treatment of Olivares and his policies. While exciting as a story in its own right, it also stands as a case-history of the perennial struggle between regional liberties and the claims of central governments.

This volume offers an overview of the ongoing debate regarding nationalism, globalisation, secessionism and languages in 21st century Catalonia. At the heart of the book is a set of interlocking questions relating to socio-political issues in sub-state nations seeking independence in the 21st century.

Catalonia: A Country Known for Its Competitive Characteristics For the past three hundred years, Catalonia has been a unique region in Europe. It is not Spanish. It is not French. It is Catalan. Its uniqueness is apparent because of its language, but it is real because of its approach to trade, business development, education, and political development. Catalonia was one of the first regions in the world to adopt a methodology aimed at boosting competitiveness in a geographical area by improving the strategy and working environment of its companies. Today there are sound economic and business arguments supporting the case for Catalan independence. Historically, the development of California owes much to Catalonia and two Catalans-Junipero Serra and Gaspar de Portola. Serra found his first mission, the Mission San Diego on July 16, 1769, and then followed with nine more missions along the California coast to San Francisco. Gaspar de Portola was a Catalan born in OS de Balaguer, Lleida, in 1716. He was a soldier and governor of California. When I started to write this story, I wondered who would help me critically and constructively. I need not have been concerned. My life partner, Montserrat Trueta, is always there with innovative support and technical and literal aid. Numerous people here in Barcelona have been very supportive, especially Toni Strubble and Miquel Strubble. I want to give special thanks to Josep Trueta, who has been a great friend for over twenty-five years and strongly encouraged me to write this book. His leadership in building and managing IRTA for twenty-five years impacted the entire scientific community in Spain. If you are reading this in the Catalan version, it is thanks to Carles Masia, who did the translation from English into Catalan.

In this reference, Buffery and Marcer cover all of the areas historically inhabited by the Catalan people. These are, in order of size and population: Catalonia, which accounts for over half of the population of the Catalan-speaking areas; Valencia, with over a third; the Balearic Islands with just under 8 percent; and the Catalunya Nord, the Principality of Andorra, and the Catalan-speaking areas within Aragon, Murcia, and Alghero. The Historical Dictionary of the Catalans deals not only with the people who live in Catalonia, but with the language and culture of the Catalan countries as well. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and over 600 cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant persons, places, events, institutions, and aspects of culture, society, economy, and politics.