Illustration by Gina Ledor
Catalonia’s recent action to secede from Spain begs the question of whether California should be doing the same. The two regions are the richest in their respective countries, have unique cultures, and are underrepresented in politics. Is it possible that these two states would be better off without the support of their nation?
While California and Catalonia’s respective attitudes towards the rest of their countries is valid, neither is being oppressed by their federal government. While Catalonia’s Independence movement started with an unconstitutional referendum, California’s “Calexit” has been approached legislatively. Nevertheless, Calexit supporters have not sincerely considered the consequences of becoming independent for future generations.
For one, the process of becoming truly independent is complicated. The fact that there have been more than 200 proposals for the secession of California over the state’s history, and none of them have been successfully passed, highlights the difficulty of the process. Although it might be worth it for some, others argue that “Calexit is California’s latest delusion.”
The Calexit movement was born after millions of Californians greeted the announcement of Trump’s presidency with cries of “Not my president!” and “Not my country,” emphasizing how angry they felt about Donald Trump winning the presidential election. Trump’s presidency went against what California is known to believe in. Without California, Trump wins the popular vote by over a million votes — instead of losing by nearly three million — and the GOP increases its electoral college margin by 55 votes, its Senate margin by two seats, and its House margin by 24 seats. If California were to secede, it would be leaving behind a country that needs its power and strength to combat the values of the Trump administration.
Let’s say that California’s independence movement were to pass, would other nations that are allied with the United States recognize them as a country? Furthermore, California would have to form its own diplomatic relationships with other nations. If California is unsuccessful in navigating their independence, their current economic prospering will go by the wayside.
Seceding from the United States comes down to public opinion. Without public interest and dedication, “Calexit” will quickly die down.
If 92 percent of Catalans support independence, and yet the region is unable to gain its independence, there is little hope for the one-third of Californians who support peacefully seceding from the United States.