A shift toward harsher views on migration is gaining ground in Spain. Political leaders and citizens increasingly question empathy-based policies. The debate now centers on whether altruism can counter this trend.
Spain is witnessing a notable rise in support for tougher stances on migration and social policy, with recent public and political debates highlighting a shift away from empathy-driven approaches. The issue came into sharp focus during a recent dinner in Madrid, where a heated exchange over the Ceuta migration crisis revealed how quickly hardline views can surface, even among long-term residents from Latin America. The sentiment of 'close the door behind me' is no longer isolated, but increasingly echoed in broader society.
Political discourse has also hardened. Míriam Nogueras, spokesperson for Junts, recently warned that her party would withdraw support from the government if unaccompanied migrant minors were sent to Catalonia. This stance reflects a wider European trend: while a decade ago leaders like Merkel advocated for open borders, today the EU is moving toward establishing refugee camps outside its territory. Dissenting voices are now rare, and the normalization of cynicism is reshaping the public conversation.
The term 'buenismo' has become a tool for discrediting altruistic or empathetic policies, framing them as naive or impractical. This rhetorical shift, described by linguist Georges Lakoff as a form of reductive framing, has allowed values like human rights and cooperation to be recast as weaknesses. As a result, 'malismo'—the embrace of explicit self-interest, social hardness, and even open hostility—has gained legitimacy, often presented as realism or strength.
Experts warn that this trend risks deepening polarization and social discomfort. The rationalization of hostility as a defense mechanism only fuels uncertainty and fear, undermining collective well-being. Calls to reverse this trajectory are growing, but advocates argue that appeals to goodwill alone are insufficient. Instead, they propose concrete policies rooted in altruism, aiming to demonstrate their transformative potential in practice.
Historical and philosophical perspectives offer guidance. Plato, through the figure of Diotima, described a path from personal attachment to broader communal bonds, suggesting that the energy of desire can be redirected toward collective creation. More recently, authors like Jorge Tamames have called for collective missions that engage citizens in addressing contemporary challenges, while psychologists emphasize the need to rebuild community ties and foster shared purpose beyond digital interactions.
Recent debates in Catalonia, such as those involving language and identity, further illustrate how social tensions can escalate when empathy is sidelined. For example, the controversy surrounding Juana Dolores and her decision to reconsider working in Catalan after facing backlash highlights the complexities of integration and belonging. This was covered in detail in a recent report on the pressures faced by cultural figures in the region: the ongoing debate over language and identity in Catalonia.
Spain's current debate over 'malismo' and 'buenismo' is not just about migration or social policy, but about the kind of society the country wants to build. The challenge now is to move beyond rhetorical battles and implement policies that prove the value of solidarity and cooperation. As the country navigates these tensions, the outcome will shape not only its approach to migration, but also its broader social fabric in the years ahead.
For context, Spain has experienced several waves of migration over the past two decades, with policy responses ranging from regularization programs to stricter border controls. The debate over how to balance security, integration, and humanitarian obligations remains central to national politics. As European attitudes shift, Spain's choices will likely influence broader regional trends, making the current moment especially significant for policymakers and citizens alike.
