This is merely an exacerbated case of the narcissism of petty differences, a very common European disease (which manifests itself outwardly in an endless wealth of quaint folklore, funny hats, colourful flags, and so on, all across the continent). And it has been exacerbated by a number of complex reasons that can never be simplified or reduced to a single case: the economic crisis above all, discontent with political corruption across the board, Peninsular history (a complex and controversial subject that lends itself to different and frequently self-interested interpretations, as do disagreements on economic figures), the radicalization of certain sectors among both Spanish and Catalan nationalists, the dysfunctional nature of the country as a whole, and its frequently clumsy and malicious political elites. All of this has been also aided by the political opportunism of Mr Mas, who has skillfully managed to lead the so-called process, sweeping his own corruption cases under the Catalan flag, as he simultaneously sees his party's relevance sink in the polls (in a downward trend that has not ceased to intensify over the course of the 3 different elections, 3, held during the last very few years). As other analysts will point out, the opportunism of the neo-liberal Mr Mas has joined forces with a majority of groups on the left, including the republican left (ERC, which Mr Mas feared, not without good reasons, might surpass his own party in a chicken race to demonstrate who was most nationalist and patriotic of them all), the former communists, and a peculiar fringe group of radicals (the CUP, who seek total, instant break not just from Spain, but also from NATO, and the EU.). Mas has joined forces with these groups, as I said to ride the wave of public discontent on account of the economic crisis coupled with the sort of inveterate disaffection from Spain felt by a significant group of Catalans--who on the other hand do not necessarily make up a majority of voters. This inanity of shallow differences is regrettably a very common malady in the EU, and it has traditionally been one of its existencial threats: one only has to examine the continent's long history as a whole, and you will find that religious fanaticism and exacerbated nationalisms have always been sources of great distress. I would have no problem with a referendum, and if a clear majority wants to secceed, well, so be it. Although a Spaniard by birth (a mere geographical accident, as all births tend to be, I do not idealize with religious fervour the geographical spot where I was born), I do not feel particularly patriotic or nationalist, to put it mildly, but I find it quite silly and senseless, and not very pragmatic at all, to take things to extremes in this way, when both sides will be hurt whatever happens. What I find rather upsetting, however, is the blatant manipulation of patriotic feelings on both sides of the divide, and I never cease to wonder how people can be so easily led by political elites who are mostly in search of power and / or merely trying to line their pockets. For all this mess is not at all beneficial for the interests of common citizens, be they Spanish or Catalan. It is also a very, very, very tedious affair: we've been at it for over thirty years, Españolistas contra independentistas, day in day out in the headlines. The obduracy of these political elites, who thrive on antagonizing public opinion and on capitalizing the patriotic feelings of their voters to seek power and wealth is not only immoral but extremely tedious for those of us who believe that there are more pressing, and more down to earth practical matters that require proper attention. It must be human nature, I guess. Less sentiment, more pragmatism. Would that it were so. Years ago, while teaching in an American institution, I was rather upset to hear an American citizen dismiss the European project as a failure: 'The will soon Balcanize'. It would appear she might be right, after all.