Scotland Rising

Gerry Hassan

Description

The Scottish independence question is one of the pivotal questions facing British politics and the future of the United Kingdom. It is also one of the most contentious and misunderstood. 

In Scotland Rising, Gerry Hassan addresses the fundamental questions covering the Scottish independence debate so that people can better understand the case for independence and the nuances, contours and implications for the whole United Kingdom. Looking beyond the merits and shortcomings of the SNP and the Conservative government in Westminster, Hassan tackles the larger driving dynamics of 'the Scottish Question' - a growing desire amongst many Scots for an explicit discussion about society, public policy choices and wider values.

Addressing the constitutional framework, and questions about the role of government and democracy, the nature of the British state, society and capitalism, Scotland Rising makes an urgent and intelligent contribution to one of the defining political questions of our time.

1. Introduction

Part 1: The Road to Independence

2. How did we get here?

3. How does an independence referendum happen?

4. The case for independence

5. Understanding the case against independence

Part 2: The Case for Change

6. Empire State Britain

7. Scotland’s democratic argument

8. Addressing economic injustice

9. A less divided Scotland and social justice

10. Cultural self-determination and the case for independence

Part 3: Independence Beyond Scotland

11. Scotland International

12. After an independence vote

13. The future of the UK after independence

Part 4: Scotland's Choice and Why it Matters to the UK

14. Scotland’s right to decide

Sujets

• Political Parties
• Political Process
• International Relations
• Constitutions
• Political Science
• Escocia
• Holyrood
• General officer
• Political party
• Nicola Sturgeon
• Liste de constitutions nationales
• General
• Scotland
• SNP

Informations

• Publié par: Pluto Press
• Date de parution: 20 septembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780745347288
• Langue: English

Extrait

Scotland Rising
This is a comprehensive, well-sourced and very wide-ranging discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of Scotland s independence movement, as it faces the challenges of a second referendum. Hassan shows how sterile the extreme arguments of unionist and nationalist can be. And he offers a fascinating projection of the impact of Scottish independence on the remnant UK and, in particular, on the Empire State delusions of England s elites.
-Neal Ascherson, writer and author of Black Sea
Gerry Hassan s forensic, incisive and also respectful account lays out the arguments for and against Scottish independence. The future of Scotland, Hassan rightly notes, will not be decided by true believers and activists for Yes or No, but by many hundreds of thousands of Scots who need to be reasoned with and convinced. This constructive, thoughtful, sharp- edged discussion confronts the choices for a new Scotland. It s also very readable as well as scholarly.
-Gavin Esler, broadcaster and author of How Britain Ends
A careful consensual account of how Scotland has come to be at the brink of independence, and of what this choice means for those who are not yet committed either way. A clear description of what has changed since 2014 leading to a forensic examination of the implications for impendence of the new context: a far less self-assured British elite. And a clear warning of just how nasty this debate is likely to become, across the UK.
-Danny Dorling, Professor of Human Geography, University of Oxford
An important and timely contribution to the future of the Scottish independent movement.
-Ruth Wishart, journalist and broadcaster
Scotland needs this book. Read it. Give to your grandparents and grand-kids. Put it on reading lists for students. Make sure it s in the libraries. It s one of the new pillars which we need to structure our thinking.
-Alison Phipps, Professor of Languages Intercultural Studies and UNESCO Chair for Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at University of Glasgow
The definitive account of why a decaying democracy in Westminster has triggered democratic renewal in Scotland through the desire for Independence. This book is essential reading for everyone who wants to understand the future of the UK, whether it breaks up or how it reconfigures itself.
-Neal Lawson, Director at Compass
This book s distinction lies not just in its breadth of coverage, but in the light it sheds upon contesting points of view, and the depth to which it recognises identity, culture and the power of myth in Scottish independence. It emphasises the urgency of understanding opposing arguments to aid social change: an ability sadly lacking in most of the political world.
-Alastair McIntosh, human ecologist and author of Riders on the Storm
This is a very welcome contribution on the Scotland s future that recognises that Scotland s constitutional future cannot be divorced from the kind of society and economy and this requires tough, honest choices. Not everyone will agree with Gerry s prescriptions but everyone should welcome this important, stimulating and serious book.
-James Mitchell, Professor of Government, University of Edinburgh
Too often arguments for or against Scottish independence are framed in short-termist narrow terms that reflect the confines of current - and flawed - economic debates. This book breaks out of today s thinking and looks to the bigger and deeper issues at stake.
-Katherine Trebeck, political economist
Scotland s future and our constitutional choices warrant deeper, richer debate - debate that allows for imaginative ideas, candid questioning and respect for diversity. With clarity and substance, this book speaks to important issues inherently implicated in such debates, thinking about what s at stake and why it matters.
-Dr Hannah Graham, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Stirling University
Scotland Rising
The Case for Independence
Gerry Hassan
First published 2022 by Pluto Press
New Wing, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
www.plutobooks.com
Copyright Gerry Hassan 2022
The right of Gerry Hassan to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978 0 7453 4727 1 Hardback
ISBN 978 0 7453 4726 4 Paperback
ISBN 978 0 7453 4729 5 PDF
ISBN 978 0 7453 4728 8 EPUB




This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. Logging, pulping and manufacturing processes are expected to conform to the environmental standards of the country of origin.
Typeset by Stanford DTP Services, Northampton, England
Simultaneously printed in the United Kingdom and United States of America
To the memory of Nigel Smith (1941-2020):
My dear friend; a voice of insight and compassion and an exemplar of political empathy, learning and listening. We did not always agree on everything but we agreed on what matters. I hope the influence of Nigel lives on in the spirit of these pages and elsewhere.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
PART I: THE TERRAIN OF THE DEBATE
1 The Scottish Question(s)
2 Nation, Stories and Voice
PART II: THE STORY SO FAR
3 The Road to the Independence Debate: How Did We Get Here?
4 The Case for Independence
5 Understanding the Case against Independence
PART III: SCOTLAND S CHOICES AND THE DIVIDED KINGDOM
6 Empire State Britain
7 Scotland s Democratic Argument
8 Economic Injustice
9 A Socially Just Scotland
10 Cultural Change and Self-Determination
11 Scotland International
PART IV: THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME
12 How Scotland Gets an Independence Referendum
13 The Next Campaign
PART V: FUTURE LANDSCAPES
14 After an Independence Vote
15 The Future of the UK/rUK after Independence
16 Scotland s Right to Decide
17 Future Stories of Scotland
Notes
Index
Acknowledgements
This book attempts to facilitate a more constructive debate on Scottish independence by exploring some of the specifics that independence has to address, considering the wider context of the Union, and interrogating Scotland s position in relation to the UK and wider world.
This is as much about profiling the human dimension, as well as about offering analysis, facts and figures. The book acknowledges that this is a debate about how people see the present, who they are and who they could be, and how they see the future - all of which brings forth a range of emotions including hope, fear, optimism, negativity, risk, loss, impatience and many more.
This book was planned, conceived and written to offer an explanation of the case for Scottish independence and to respect and understand those who hold different views. If some feel I have at points fallen short of this aim, this was not for the want of trying. We all need to keep listening, engaging, reflecting, understanding our political opponents, respecting those who disagree with us and in turn asking for respect, and pushing beyond our own echo chambers.
Numerous people have given their time, expertise and encouragement in the creation of this book. It would be impossible to thank each and every one of them, but in particular I would like to mention Kevin Albertson, Simon Barrow, Anne Bryce, Graham Bryce, Madeleine Bunting, Leon Cameron, Dougie Campbell, Karen Campbell, Aditya Chakrabortty, Carol Craig, John Curtice, Iain Docherty, Stephen Duncombe, Frances Ferry McKenzie, Richard Finlay, Douglas Fraser, Isabel Fraser, Gregor Gall, Hannah Graham, David Heald, Eve Hepburn, Kirsty Hughes, Arianna Introna, Ben Jackson, Karen McCluskey, James McEnaney, Aileen McHarg, John McIntosh, Lynsey McIntosh, Phil McMenemy, Paul Mason, Eddie Rice, Philip Schlesinger, Mike Small, Jean Urquhart, Andy Wightman, and Richard Wyn Jones.
In summer 2021 I moved to Kirkcudbright in South West Scotland, where I wrote this book, and would like to give a special mention to Elizabeth and Stewart Parsons who opened Gallovida Books - a well-stocked and welcoming independent bookshop - one minute from my front door a couple of months after my arrival in the town.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who took the time to engage and reply to my queries about independence and other issues for this book. Thank you to Neal Ascherson, Anthony Barnett, Alex Bell, Marco Biagi, Kathleen Caskie, Malcolm Chalmers, Stuart Cosgrove, Iain Docherty, Danny Dorling, David Edgerton, Kenny Farquharson, James Foley, Jim Gallagher, Kathy Galloway, Doug Gay, Carol Gentry, Stephen Gethins, Pauline Gordon, David Greig, Gordon Guthrie, Kevin Hague, Craig Harrow, Tom Holland, Richard Holloway, Pat Kane, Sunder Katwala, Colin Kidd, Neal Lawson, Magnus Linklater, John Lloyd, Sue Lyons, Archie Macpherson, Robin McAlpine, Gavin McCrone, Val McDermid, Andy Mciver, Joyce McMillan, John McTernan, Ashish Malik, Ciaran Martin, James Mitchell, Laura Moodie, Lesley Orr, Sue Palmer, Alison Phipps, Adam Ramsay, Lesley Riddoch, James Robertson, Michael Roy, Kirstein Rummery, Anthony Salamone, Hillary Sillitto, Christopher Silver, Alan Sinclair, May Sumbwanyambe, Katherine Trebeck, and Dave Watson.
A sample of quotes and comments from this diverse group can be found throughout the book; an equal appreciation to everyone else who replied and said they would have loved to have answered my queries and in one case said my questions made them think too much which I took as a compliment.
I owe a major debt of gratitude to all of the kind spirits who were generous of their time and intelligence to give endorsements to the book. Many thanks to Neal Ascherson, Danny Dorling, Gavin Esler, Hannah Graham, David Greig, Neal Lawson, Alastair McIntosh, James Mitchell, Alison Phipps, Katherine Trebeck and Ruth Wishart.
I would also like to take the opportunity to tha