Catalonia presents an interesting instance of what are termed 'minority nations' or 'stateless nations'. Whereas such nations tend to be economically underdeveloped or dependent, Catalonia has long exercised leadership within the Spanish economy. At the same time, Catalonia offers important insights for many of the key political and social issues currently under debate in North America and provides one of the strongest claims that nationalism can be 'civic' rather
than 'ethnic'.

Catalonia provides a thorough survey of contemporary Catalonia's politics, society, culture, and economy. It traces Catalonia's political and economic insertion within Spain, paying particular attention to the terms of Catalonia's political autonomy.