A critical view of progressivism
The supposed progressive character of the Spanish left is, many times, a myth. This refers especially to their ideas and actions at the national-territorial and linguistic level. If we analyze the ideas and, more importantly, the practices of the Spanish political parties that identify themselves as left-wing (PSOE, Sumar, Podemos), we find that there are few people and sectors that really maintain an open and plural vision of nationalism and of nationalisms.
Nationalism present, even if it is denied
Nationalism is always present, admitted or not, even in those who declare themselves non-nationalists and call themselves cosmopolitans or internationalists. This is part of the myth. Throughout my academic career, I have met some of these people who claim to be cosmopolitans or internationalists. Interestingly, most displayed clear state nationalism, despite their initial declarations of being open and global.
The analytical deficit of the nationalist left
The problem with these left-wing nationalists lies not so much in what they think, but in the intellectual platforms from which they interpret political realities. This is a deficit of the inherited political culture, which favors falsely progressive positions based on the arrogance that despises what it does not know.
The error of partial progressivism
Sometimes, in the name of progressivism focused solely on socioeconomic issues, some claim to be progressive in all other areas. This is what the scholastics called incurring the pars pro toto fallacy, that is, taking a part for the whole. It is necessary to remember what Santiago Rusiñol said in a relaxed tone: ‘Progressives are like horses that carry a leather shovel in their eyes. They can’t see anything but forward.’
Conservatism in the practice of the Spanish left
In practice, many leaders of the aforementioned parties maintain conservative positions regarding the status quo, being far from a transformative logic in terms of emancipation and national pluralism. In fact, some sectors of these parties are even reactionary, sharing the same nationalist state political culture as, for example, some judges and prosecutors from the Spanish judicial leadership.
Examples of nationalism on the Spanish left
There are positions in the PSOE, for example, of figures such as Felipe González, Alfonso Guerra, José Bono, Javier Lambán and Emiliano García-Page, which are consistent with the nationalist pronouncements of figures such as Carlos Lesmes, Manuel Marchena, Pablo Llarena, García-Page. Castellón, Barrientos and Aguirre. The unity of the state, in these cases, is defended as an illiberal Spanish nationalism that is placed above the values and principles of the rule of law and democracy.
The failures of the judicial system and nationalism
One of the problems of the Spanish judicial system is that it is not protected from the arbitrariness and impunity of some judges and magistrates. In an advanced democracy, some of these judges could be in prison. They are examples of a nationalism that democracy and the Constitution should have overcome in a plurinational society.
However, beyond these regrettable legal facts that provoke ridicule and are a source of ridicule for European professionals, the entire Spanish political culture is tinged with a strong state nationalism, very little integrated with liberal-democratic values and objectives. This political culture crosses both the right and left parties, being very little open to admitting the institutional and political consequences of the national, cultural and linguistic pluralism of Spanish society.
Intellectual traditions and the understanding of nationalism
The same intellectual traditions of the left, whether more socialist, liberal or republican, are not well prepared analytically to understand the world of nationalisms, especially non-state ones. It should be remembered that both liberalism and socialism are theories of the state, and all states in the world are nationalist. There is no empirical exception on the planet.
The need for intellectual renewal
Although it is known that human brains tend to be gullible and lazy, I believe that traditional ‘progressives’ must wake up intellectually if they really want to be progressives in areas beyond socio-economic and gender issues, such as national, ecological and linguistic areas. Otherwise, we will continue with implicit falsehoods reminiscent of what the ‘Rumour’ says in the prologue to Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 2: ‘Upon my tongue there rides slanders continually, Which I utter in all languages, Filling the ears of men with falsehoods. I speak of peace while hidden hostility Smites the world with a welcoming smile.’
