ABSTRACT
The Spanish economy has been emerging from the recession that started in the late 2000s. However, there are still regional differences or disparities within Spain, which cause interregional tension. In particular, the Catalan independence movement has been discontented with the redistribution system of the central government: Catalonia is one of the richest regions and pays a large amount of taxes, but receives a lower share in tax payments.1 Catalonia is the only case in Europe. The Scottish independence campaign has given rise to separatism in some European regions, such as Flanders in Belgium or northern Italy. In Spain, the Basque country also has called for independence.2 In the past, these regional tensions derived mainly from ethnic or religious differences but the economic crises in the 2000s have led to conflict between more prosperous regions and poorer regions. In particular, in Europe, wealthier regions would like to separate from the country to which they belong.
