e.g. Is Switzerland a good analogy for the "federal" arrangements proposed? Do the confederalists look to an EU model, or something different?
When I say "confederal" I mean a system where there is a common (figure)head of state, but the government in Madrid ranks equally with the Basque and Catalan presidents (and possibly with others).
"Associated Free State" is something that Ibarretxe has mentioned in connection with his "Plan Ibarretxe". I am not quite sure I understand what he means, as Puerto Rico has less powers than the Basque country ;-) guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper
(I suspected the system was already virtually Federal.)
There's going to have to be some move towards confederalism, just to have some negotiating ground. It seems very unlikely to me that negotiations will succeed on the basis that "things are basically Federal, so we'll stick with that." Some concessions, however symbolic will be required, is my guess.
As for the Ibarratxe Plan (text), it was expansive. Depending on how you read the document, it can be interpreted as independence or as something akin to the level of autononmy of a US state. All in all, what the Basque government has proposed isn't that different from what the Basques had in Hapsburg Spain. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
More important. The tax and spend systems which are the more decentralized elements of the autonomous government are also different.
Formally Navarra has a associated free state status regarding taxes. It is very surprising, but it is bascially true. Navarra accepts freely to give some money to Madrid if they wish..and then you write a law to fix how. It is really amazing.
The basque country has a confederal system. Central Governmentmust ask the Basque government the money. But he Basque Country must give this money under the law. Generally they must reach an agreement.
A pleasure I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude
