The historical background of Catalan separatism: The case of Occitania

The purpose of this study is to discuss the originality of the Catalan literature at its beginnings in relation to the poetry of the Occitan troubadours, and to explain why some Catalans today do not feel connected to the Castilian heritage. The paper presents the Occitan-Catalan political and cultural relations in the time between 993 and 1213, with particular emphasis on the 12th century when the Great Occitan War took place. The historical Occitania at that time was divided into numerous principalities affected by constant internal struggles. That unstable political situation encouraged powerful neighbours – as the rulers from the House of Barcelona – to attain their domination over the region. The successful military and diplomatic engagements of the Catalan sovereigns allowed them to create a relatively homogeneoas Occitan-Catalan community based on cultural similarity and feudal dependence.

Trauma societies and their characteristics: Between evolution and revolution

The development of civilization at the present stage is faced with a phenomenon that is still poorly studied and lítde known, which we call the trauma of’ society. The fact is that significant, special and specific events are taking place in the world that caunot be defined and qualified in the old terms of evolution and revolution, which describe and reflect the changes that are taking place. Currently, there are 53 states that, according to the World Bank, that have been or are ina state of chaotic, unbalanced and turbulent development for a long period. This state allows us to state that along with the main recognized development paths -revolution and evolution - ia the modern worldthere ls such a specific phenomenonas trauma society. Ítis showa how the concept oftrauma acquired a social sound, and how itwas interpreted in the scientific literature, 20d to what extent was reflected ia political vocabulary. The author refers as trauma societies to countries tbat have stagnated for along time io their development orare ioa state of recession andlose their previously achieved milestones. The article reveals the essential characteristics of a trauma society, the reasons for its occurrence, and the consequences of its functioning. Particular attention is paid to Russia, which, according to the author, can be described as trauma aud injured society, since in its development, having rejected the socialist past, it did not reach the Achievements from which it began its way in 1991. At the same time, transformations carried out for more than a quarter of a century forra a raosaic in which it is difficult/impossible to distinguish between evolutionary and revolutionarv treads. In this regard, an analysis of the obstacies that are not overcome for the iniplementationofa truly democratic, eficiently functioning society is given.

Spain, La Roja, and the forging of the nation: truth or fiction?

The paper analyzes the role of the national team of Spain denoted by the neologism La Roja in promoting patriotic sentiments and building national unity. In a 2014 study entitled Goles y banderas. Fútbol e identidades nacionales en España, Alejandro Quiroga Fernández de Soto argues that the successes of the team in 2008-2012 (Champions of Europe in Austria and Switzerland, World Champions in South Africa and again Champions of Europe in Poland and Ukraine), brought about a patriotic revival, while La Roja itself became an integrating factor which united the Spanish regardless of political differences and distinct identities. The assertion is highly debatable for two reasons: firstly, the resurgence of the national symbols was temporary and did not occur uniformly across the country, especially in Catalonia and the Basque Country; secondly, it would be more fitting to speak of journalistic patriotism rather than actual patriotic revival within the Spanish society. The paper critically assesses the patriotic discourse rooted in the successes of La Roja in 2008-2012. Their poor performance in the last major tournaments in 2014-2018 and absence of any particular euphoria surrounding the national team confirm that the wave of flags which swept the country in the successful period was not an expression of profound, patriotic renewal of national symbols. At most, it may be argued to have been a forced attempt to boost Spanish (centralist) nationalism in the face of the increasingly active peripheral nationalisms, especially its most radical, Catalan embodiment.

Hungary’s and Romania’s exogenous influence on separatism processes in Ukraine

The author, on the basis of a preliminary analysis of the problem of the exogenous influence of the countries on the strengthening of separatism processes in Ukraine, expresses the view that separatism conflicts have not only internal causes for escalation, but also the external influence exerted by the main actors of international relations, solving their geopolitical task or countries bordering Ukraine. The author classifies the exogenous factors of influence, which are most often used by the main and influential actors of international relations to strengthen their positions in the region or in any state. The aim of the article is to analyze such components of the Hungarian and Romanian exogenous influence on Ukraine as cultural, educational, political, and diplomatic ones. These two countries consistently and persistently try to protect the rights and interests of Hungarian and Romanian national minorities in Ukraine, but every year they do so contrary to the interests and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Relations between the countries have worsened due to statements by political and public figures in Hungary and Romania after the adoption of the Law on Education by Ukraine in September 2017. The author comes to the conclusion that the cultural component of exogenous influence increases the factor of identity and can serve as an element of soft power and catalyze the ethnic/separatism conflict in the country.

Regional identity and its protection on the example of the Valencian Autonomous Community

The article systematizes the knowledge about the Valencian Autonomous Community and the activities of its authorities in the field of language policy. The author has reviewed the legal solutions strengthening the status of a regional language in public space and discussed the main laws that emphasize the importance of the language as a cultural heritage of Valencia. The article also presents statistical data on the situation and ways of using the language by the inhabitants of Valencia. The last part of the article discusses the Valencian-language media market. The regional government financially supports the presence of the language in public space. The position of the Valencian language remains constant, albeit low, both among the population and in the media, Therefore, the subsidies proposed by the government of the Valencian Community should change this situation and strengthen the presence of the Valencian language among the population of the region.

Authoritarian populism in the US: context and continuity in a post-truth era

An enduring theme in US politics is tension between people on the right who favour limited government that serves individual and elite interests and people on the left who prefer active government with emphasis on a broader public interest. Recently, the political landscape has shifted from the dominant ideology of neoliberalism toward a far-right authoritarian populism with parallels to mid-20th century fascism. This shift appears in regressive societal characteristics - such as xenophobia, racism, homophobia, and misogyny - that were thought to have diminished in an increasingly progressive 21 st century. An argument can be made that authoritarian populism is a continuation of longstanding patterns of elite influence, in which regressive elements serve as techniques to distract the public from the governing economic agenda. The essay examines this phenomenon and explores potential future effects on US society.

The position of the Spanish monarchy and Catalan separatism in the 21st century

The article deals with the position of the Spanish monarchy in the context of Catalan separatism (independentism). The analysis is focused on the search for potential relationships between the weakening position of the Spanish monarchy and Catalan independentism and the consequences associated with this. To this end, the exploration includes both the monarchy in the institutional sense and focuses on the person of Juan Carlos I de Burbon himself and his son and successor Philip VI de Burbon. Furthermore, an important aspect of the research is the reference of the position of the monarchy to the issue of the independence process in Catalonia and a forecast in this light for the further development of Catalan separatism.

How does secessionism end? No-win scenarios for contemporary American secessionist movements

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to characterize the American secessionist movement in the 21st century. In spite of the fact that all ideas of self-determination in the U.S. are not welcomed by the federal government in Washington and as a consequence are dying on the vine, they have still reborn in subsequent separatist and secessionist initiatives. An analysis of the goals, sizes and motivations of contemporary secessionist groups in the United States will lead to the main goal of the paper, which is to answer the question about the types of strategies chosen by American secessionists in the situation of the obvious failure of their overarching political goal - independence. As it turns out, a significant part of such groups in a situation of collision of their own political dreams with the harsh conditions of American Realpolitik does not give up and continues their activities in a slightly modified form. Understanding the scenarios accompanying this ideological and organizational change, as well as exemplifying the groups that have decided to implement these scenarios in recent years will be the crucial goal of the paper.

Police in the nation state - an apolitical and independent institution?

Police is one of the most important institution related to security in nation state, which in the era of globalization is subject to constant changes. The police as institution was established to protect peoples safety and to maintain public safety and order. In order to be able to effectively carry out its tasks, the police must have social trust and be perceived as an independent and apolitical institution. Can the institution in which the politicians of the ruling party decide about who will hold the highest positions be independent and apolitical? What can be the social consequences and consequences for national security resulting from the actions of police related to the implementation of political decisions related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and social protests of October 2020? This paper is a voice in the discussion on this topic.

Sovereignty of Member States in New European Pact for Migration and Asylum

The author of the article attempts to analyze the consequences for Member States’ sovereignty arising from the European asylum system reform and harmonization proposed in September 2020 by the European Commission. The author believes that so-called solidarity mechanism, however designed with intention of burden sharing and help, de facto has the potential to become migrant relocation mechanism. That argument is already being raised by Member States that are opposing the European Commission’s proposal. According to them, the proposal violates rules guaranteeing Member States’ rights to determine volumes of admissions of the third country nationals, explicitly expressed in the Treaty on the European Union. The author also notices that decision-making power on the relocations is transferred to the Commission, leaving limited flexibility in gesture of Member States. Without being opposed to subsidiarity principle itself, the article questions whether the details of the Commission’s proposal are not actually against the principle and certain elements, like effective return, are not better achieved at the national level. In the research procedure, a method of critical analysis of the content of studies and the available sources was used.