Self-government of Catalonia as regards public security: balance and perspectives of the competence framework (from 1978 to 2006)

The article reproduces from a modern-day perspective an assessment of Catalan self-government as it relates to public security in the last three decades (1978-2006), whilst at the same time reflecting on the phase which is beginning with the new Statute. Right from the start of the constituent process, the restoration of democracy and the challenge of building a new model for the Spanish State were envisaged with regard to what would become the unfinished and unfinishable dialogue between centralism and self-government. So, following numerous political and institutional episodes during these years, public security has ended up becoming one of the few asymmetrical manifestations of the Spanish political system and the most emblematic recognition of the singular position of the Catalan Government amongst public institutions.