The ambiguity of progressivism on the Spanish left
The term ‘progressive’ associated with the Spanish left is, in many cases, a myth. This name falters when the national-territorial and linguistic framework in which parties such as the PSOE, Sumar and Podemos operate are analyzed. There is little presence of figures and sectors that adopt an open and plural vision of nationalism or the State. Nationalism is a constant, whether explicit or implicit, even among those who define themselves as ‘cosmopolitans’ or ‘internationalists’. This is part of the myth of progress.
Dilemmas of cosmopolitanism and internationalism
During my academic career, I have encountered several self-proclaimed ‘cosmopolitans’ and ‘internationalists’. It is still curious that many of them reveal a clear state nationalism shortly after starting the conversation. They exhibit a mixture of surprise and bewilderment when their views and examples do not align with common sense, nor are they prepared to confront divergent arguments. This analytical deficit in supposedly progressive sectors does not lie so much in their ideas, but in the intellectual platforms from which they approach political realities. It is, in part, an inherited political culture that fosters mistakenly progressive attitudes based on an arrogance that despises the unknown.
False socioeconomic progressivism
Sometimes, under the banner of progressivism, focused solely on socioeconomic issues, some believe they are progressive in all areas. This is reminiscent of the pars pro toto fallacy, where a part is taken for the whole. Santiago Rusiñol, in a joking tone, used to say that ‘progressives are like horses with blinders; They only see what is in front of them.’
Conservative positions disguised as progressivism
In practice, many leaders of the aforementioned parties hold conservative positions that preserve the status quo, moving away from a truly transformative logic in terms of emancipation and national pluralism. Some sectors are not only conservative, but directly reactionary, aligning themselves with the same nationalist state political culture as some judges and prosecutors in the Spanish high judiciary. In the case of the PSOE, figures such as Felipe González, Alfonso Guerra, José Bono, Javier Lambán and Emiliano García-Page have been consistent with statements of a nationalist nature, similar to those of Carlos Lesmes, Manuel Marchena, Pablo Llarena, Manuel García- Castellón, Andrés Barrientos and Concepción Espejel, among others.
Spanish nationalism and the judiciary
The unity of the State and the defence of an irreducible and illiberal Spanish nationalism take priority over the values and principles of the rule of law and democracy. If that State unity is perceived as threatened, the rest of the components of the State are subordinated to its preservation. Naturally, not everything is equal. Some political actors remain silent in the face of the authoritarianism and lack of professionalism of certain judicial actors.
Judicial excesses in the name of nationalism
There are numerous differences between extreme positions, such as those of Judge Enrique López, and the twisted arguments of Manuel Marchena and his colleagues in the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court, who ignored the application of the amnesty law, despite the clear discrepancy. of Judge Ana Ferrer. This is one of the problems of the Spanish judicial system: the lack of protection against the arbitrariness of judges and magistrates. In an advanced democracy, some of these judges would be in prison due to their excesses in the name of nationalism that does not align with democratic values.
A nationalism rooted in political culture
The political culture in Spain is impregnated with a strong state nationalism, little in line with liberal-democratic values. This nationalism cuts across both right-wing and left-wing parties, and shows a notable resistance to accepting the national, cultural and linguistic pluralism of Spanish society. The intellectual traditions of the left, whether more socialist, liberal or republican, are not analytically prepared to fully understand the phenomenon of nationalisms, especially non-state ones.
A challenge for traditional progressives
Traditional progressives must awaken intellectually if they wish to extend their progressivism beyond socioeconomic and gender issues. Otherwise, they will continue to cling to falsehoods reminiscent of the ‘Rumor’ character in Shakespeare’s Prologue to Henry IV, Part 2:
‘Continuous slander rides on my tongue, which I pronounce in all languages, filling the ears of men with falsehoods. I speak of peace while hidden hostility hurts the world with a welcoming smile.’
