The "Tabarnia" construct

Yuval Harari pointed out in “Sapiens” that humans are unique in their ability to create abstract constructs such as religions, corporations and nations.

The region known as Catalonia has recently ceased to exist as a unified construct thanks to the polarisation brought about by separatism. Today, its citizens are completely divided on what “Catalonia” means, as the recent regional elections have demonstrated. There are now two clear constructs. The urban, mostly coastal, areas voted clearly in favour of remaining within Spain (and Europe by extension) and a bilingual, inclusive society; whereas the rural hinterland voted for exactly the opposite. In fact, a new construct called “Tabarnia” (Barcelona + Tarragona) has recently arisen within the former group, claiming their right to independence from the latter. 

One of the delicious ironies of “Tabarnia” is how swiftly the separatists have angrily retorted that Catalonia is indivisible and that only the “Catalan people” as a whole can choose the destiny of Catalonia, using the same arguments they have been quick to dismiss when used by the central government. 

Then again, logic has never been their forte.