International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

“The founding hypotheses of the Comunes and independence are no longer operational”

Josep María Antentas — 2019-10-14T07:56:51Z

Josep Maria Antentas teaches sociology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Xavier Puig spoke with him following the publication of his latest book, “Spectros de Octubre” (Sylone).

- IV537 - October 2019 / Spanish state, National question, Catalonia

One Question:The European Left

2018-12-04T07:35:24Z

One Question is a monthly series in which we ask leading thinkers to give a brief answer to a single question.

This month we ask:

What are the challenges and opportunities for the Left in Europe?

- Features / Economy, Far Right, European Union

After the fall of Rajoy in the Spanish state: the unstable succession?

Josep María Antentas — 2018-06-26T15:48:37Z

Does the fall of Rajoy open up a new political cycle in the Spanish state? Can Sánchez stabilize the political situation? What will be the attitude of Ciudadanos, which has become the first option of the ruling classes? What role could Podemos play in this new situation?

- IV521 - June 2018 / Spanish state

1968 and the Spanish State: The Year in its Context

Josep María Antentas — 2018-06-20T15:58:41Z

Understanding the Spanish 68 requires an understanding of the rise of anti-Francoism in the previous years and its evolution after the state of exception declared in January 1969.

- Features / Spanish state, 1968

Permanent confusion or strategic re-orientation?

Josep María Antentas — 2018-05-24T07:04:57Z

Last October we saw the collapse of the various projects for change put forward in Catalan society and politics since 2011 and 2012. Specifically this means the perspectives set out by the 15 May movement (Indignados) and its subsequent political currents, Catalunya en Comu and Podem or the pro-independence forces. A major reason for the success of both currents resided in their capacity to offer a project of rapid and easy change.

- IV520 - May 2018 / Spanish state, Catalonia

The post-election political landscape

Josep María Antentas — 2018-01-30T13:39:16Z

1. The Catalan parliamentary elections of December 21st, 2017 (21D) saw an unexpected electoral mobilization, with a historic rate of participation of 79.04% (these are the official figures after the counting of votes from abroad). The balance of power between the two big blocs in contention is relatively similar to that of September 27, 2015 (27S): 2,079,340 votes (47.49%) and 70 deputies for the pro-independence camp against 1,902,061 votes (43.49%) and 57 supporters of Article 155.

- IV516 - January 2018 / Spanish state, New parties of the left, National question, Catalonia

21D: pre (and post) electoral anxiety

Josep María Antentas — 2017-12-20T09:40:24Z

1. The political importance of the Catalan elections of December 21 (21D) and the polarization which underlies it coexists with an electoral campaign that seems an epilogue halfway through the acceleration experienced in the days of September and October. An epilogue that, in reality, is also a decisive preamble to a stage to come. Three great riddles will be resolved at the polls: the absolute and relative strength of each of the two major blocs in conflict (the pro-independence bloc and the defenders of Article 155); the internal leadership on both sides; and the degree of strength or weakness, in terms of absolute support and arithmetical relevance in the Parlament, of the self-postulated third space, represented by Catalunya en ComÃº-Podem. It is impossible, in any case, to make any prognosis, beyond the data offered by the surveys that, in these times, are not only an instrument to gauge popular opinion but also to shape it. The future of Catalan politics, of the independence movement and of the left, whether pro-independence or not, will depend on what happens on 21D. Until then, the specific challenges for all cannot be specified in detail. However, the balance sheet of what happened in September and October already allows us to point out some inescapable substantive issues.

- IV515 - December 2017 / Catalonia

Plan for a republic or imaginary republic?

Josep María Antentas — 2017-11-10T12:15:03Z

“There is little doubt that we are facing a triple strategic dilemma as complex as it is inescapable. The question is whether it is also as unresolvable as it is decisive.”

- IV514 - November 2017 / Spanish state, Catalonia

A coup by the state

Josep María Antentas — 2017-11-04T06:21:17Z

The continuing crisis over Catalonia reached a new stage late last week when the Spanish state fired its president and top security officials and dismissed its parliament, setting December 21 as a date for new elections. The hard-line move to impose direct rule over the autonomous region followed a declaration of independence by the Catalan parliament, after President Carles Puigdemont's offer for negotiations to reach some accommodation with the Spanish state was rejected out of hand by conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

- IV514 - November 2017 / Spanish state, Catalonia

Catalonia's paradox

Josep María Antentas — 2017-10-07T19:11:12Z

October 1 shook Catalonia and the Spanish state. What happens now?

- IV513 - October 2017 / Spanish state, National question, Catalonia