There is no real single entity that can be identified as a singular “Scottish separatist movement”, but rather, there are smaller groups which could be put together under that banner of separatism. In fact, those groups could be on the verge of victory this year, as Scotland prepares for its most important referendum in its history - asking the simple, yet loaded question: “should Scotland be an independent country?” But, before that day comes, we should look at the means for why Scotland should consider this as a viable replacement for governance as part of the United Kingdom. What influence was there in this idea of separation from the UK? What caused this movement to take form? Are their ideals democratic? How can Scotland possibly survive without the UK and its benefits? As we are steeped in very current affairs, there’s quite a lot that will change over time, but that doesn’t stop us from diving deep into what makes this movement tick.
However, to understand that ticking, we need to understand the country itself. Scotland had its start as an independent nation, starting from its founding in the earliest period of the Middle Ages. However, there was constant turmoil over the years, as there were two wars for independence (from 1296-1306 and 1332-1357, respectively), leading up to 1707, when the Treaty of Union was passed (which allowed for the kingdoms of Scotland and England to unionize). In those times, the merger between the Scottish and the English was seen as hostile, but later developed into a powerful partnership that was unlike anything that was ever experienced before in those times. Scotland, however, still wasn’t very convinced that this was a measure which needed to take place, as the ratification of the Treaty o...
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As is evidenced in the UK’s devolved unitary system, the Canadian federation and the European Union, each model aims to protect regional diversity and autonomy within it’s limitations, though the degree to which autonomy is granted creates a natural tension between unity and the desire for subsidiarity and self-determination. In devolution, asymmetrical federalism and the constitutional framework of a confederation there is the ability to manage diversity, discourage secession, and ensure stability, but with each of these comes the danger of divisive encouragement of difference. It is up to the individual governments in question then, how to best manage diversity and unity. As phrased by George Anderson, perhaps “stability can be enhanced if the culture goes beyond mere tolerance of diversity to the active embrace of diversity as part of what defines the country and gives it it's value. Institutional arrangements can hep societies better manage their conflicts, but institutions alone are not enough…” Perhaps the answer to encouraging national unity is not then found in the model, but in the contingencies of identity and
Henderson, Ailsa. Hierarchies of belonging: National identity and political culture in Scotland and Quebec. McGill-Queen's Press-MQUP, 2007.
Jones, A., 2007. Britain and the European Union. 1st ed. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press Ltd
Scottish devolution, with its advantages and disadvantages, is the best example of how great political and social changes can be achieved not through bloody revolution but with the patience, intelligence and hard work of a united country but is still a work in progress.
It was this belief that prevented the Scottish people from intermingling with the surrounding nations and ultimately birthed a form of ethnic pride
Scotland's independence is a hotly debated subject with both sides, pro-union and pro-independence, having strong campaigns. Both campaigns, ‘Better Together’ and ‘Yes Scotland’, are unfortunately both biased as they are bombarding the British people with distorted facts, statistics and predictions in hope to gain more support. The public should therefore view both sides claims, expert opinions and keep an open mind to make the right decision on this very important matter on whether it is in Scotlands best interest to become independent or remain part o...
... Human Rights in Scotland [PDF] available at Scottish Human Rights Commission website; scottishhumanrights.com/application/resources/documents/SNAP-GettingitRightAnOverviewofHumanRightsinScotland2012.pdf (p.215)
...nnot be legitimized by his loyalty to Scotland, it is only a political rule. He therefore also lacks the ‘‘king becoming graces’’ of devotion.
Margetts, H. John, P. Weir, S. Latent Support for the far-Right in British Politics: The BP and UKIP in the 2004 European and London Elections. Paper Presented to PSA EPOP conference: University of Oxford, 2004.
The Irish and British governments fought for many years over the ownership of Northern Ireland. Britain had main control over Northern Ireland, and Ireland did not think that was fair. Be...
Events in the past have affected modern day Scots. When these events first occurred in Scotland, the Scots kept these memories and traditions with pride that stayed with them throughout years. As more and more generations pass, the sense of Scottish pride stays with them as they teach it to their children. The generations that followed Prince Charlie’s legacy grew up with Scottish patriotism. The families that survived the famine learned and passed on the ideal to not waste resources. Scottish emigrants kept their Highland culture by publicly showing their Scottish roots. The stereotype of Scots were caused by the pride that had been brought down from generation to generation that still live today.
Not a unified and separate country until 1921, Northern Ireland has had cultural, financial, and economic that makes it stand affront from the rest of the Emerald Isles. With its close proximity to England and the immigration all through the 1600s of English and Scottish, Northern Ireland has become more anglicized th...
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (London: 2005). pp. 51, 71-72. Accessed May 3, 2014. http://www.jhud.co.uk/huddleston/uk2005_tcm77-248610.pdf.
In their book, Smith and Wistrich state that Britain sensed a problem in the identity once there has been devolution of power to Scotland and Wales in 1998 (2009). It maybe true that Scots and Welsh feel more attached to their own na...
Knowing that I was where I felt I belonged, was the best feeling in the world. All of the scenery, the important places we saw, the beautiful buildings and animals, was a site I will never forget. Being Scottish used to just be cool to me knowing that my Grandad was born in Scotland and that I had Scottish blood in my veins. After I saw the house he was born in, it changed my viewpoints, I felt that Scotland was one of the most beautiful places I knew about, and being apart of that wasn’t something I should take lightly.