If the majority of people in Catalonia want their ancient region and culture to be the nation state of Catalonia, then it will be someday. Considering that they will be a part of the European Union without strict borders and free trade between them, what is the obsession with the idea of a United Spain? It won't be a catastrophe for Spain. The country will be one of 36 million instead of 42 million. Ethnic Spaniards will continue to live in Catalonia because they are all European Union citizens.