The Difference that Being a Minority Territory Makes—A Comparison of the Regulation of Immigrant Citizenship in Catalonia, Andalusia, and Madrid

Abstract

Contributing to the debate on immigrant incorporation in subnational minority territories, this chapter looks at how Catalonia’s status as a minority territory results in a specific model of immigrant citizenship. It draws on a comparison between the autonomous communities of Catalonia, Andalusia, and Madrid with the latter two territories representing the influence of the left-right axis. An analysis of five elements of citizenship regulation reveals that Catalonia’s status as a minority territory has an influence on an inclusive citizenship philosophy and generous attitude towards granting political rights, while in the other areas (incorporation of cultural difference, newcomer integration and healthcare) the Catalan policies are less inclusive than those in Andalusia, the territory governed by the left. While there is no conclusive evidence that being a minority territory makes Catalan policies more inclusive, the density of the Catalan regulation of citizenship is the most striking finding emerging from the comparison.