Thread by @JorgeGalindo

This is the single most important graph to begin to understand the Catalan conflict: Catalans are split on the issue of independence. IMHO, whoever suggests Catalans are on a "unified struggle against Spain" lacks supporting data.

[Thread with some basic figures on Catalonia].👇

Cultural identity is a major underlying factor on the Catalan conflict. Positions over independence match with where people was born, where did their parents/grandparents were born, and what is their mother tongue.

Talking about nationalism seems pretty unavoidable here.

Socio-economic factors matter as well: people with higher education attainment, public workers and those with more self-perceived economic improvement tend to favor independence more often.

This correlates with identity, by the way, since working class in Catalonia is populated with people coming from other Spanish regions (let's not forget that Catalonia is one of the richest areas in the country).

Now, a figure frequently cited by pro-independence activists is "80%": that'd be the number of Catalans supporting a self-determination referendum according to several private polls.

BUT it turns out that if you ask the question in a non-binary manner, the "80%" breaks down.

Indeed, whenever you dilute binary approaches ("independence vs no"; "self-determination referendum" vs "no") into more nuanced debates, the position of Catalans become more varied and less extreme. Also, and most significantly, on the issue of secession.

In sum:

1. Catalans are pretty divided on independence
2. Divisions are polarizing along identity and socio-econ lines when the choice is binary
3. A non-binary approach opens up perspective

Pro-independence parties, instead, have opted for a binary framework.

(PS: and sure, a part of statewide rightwing parties are catching up pretty fast on the use of binarian, nationalist frameworks --> see for instance the emergence of VOX, our very own far right party.)