SCOTTISH NATIONALISM

POL 1101 - Fall 2014Sabrina Sotiriu, School of

Political Studies

Where and What?

Scottish National What?• Flag – St. Andrew’s Cross• Day – November 30th (St. Andrew’s Day)

• Patron Saint – St. Andrew• Poet – Robbie Burns• Party – the SNP (Scottish National Party)

• Tartan – the Stuart colors • Anthem – N/A…• Flower – the Thistle

Brief Timeline 1.0• First recorded presence in Scotland was during Roman times (e.g. Hadrian’s Wall)

• Early 12th century Kingdom of Alba gets established – independent (albeit under duress) until the Act of Union (1707)

• During the first half of the twentieth century, a strong grassroots nationalist movement starts forming, which becomes institutionalized as the SNP (Scottish National Party)

• SNP has small and dispersed political and electoral gains in the coming decades after World War 2

Important moments 2.0• In 1979 Scotland holds its first referendum on devolution unsuccessfully. The second one, in 1997, results in the establishment of the Scottish Parliament (in 1999).

• A devolved Scottish government starts being elected by the people of Scotland through parliamentary elections every 4 years.

• Since 2007, the SNP has been in power in Scotland, also with representation at Westminster in London and in the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Institutionalization of Nationalism

• The SNP's origins can be traced back to several organisations advocating home rule for Scotland in the 1920s and 30s.  In 1928 The Scots National League and the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association combined with the Scottish National Movement to form the National Party of Scotland (NPS). The NPS in turn amalgamated with the Scottish Party to become the Scottish National Party. 

• Increased electoral successes for the SNP started to appear once it expanded its vision and rallied it around the appropriation of oil reserves in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland.

SNP “propaganda”

#SNPproblems• Ethnic v. civic nationalism?!• Political party – but which ideology?!• Nationalism+ideology= electoral gains/losses?• Apolitical nationalism? Neither left nor right?

• Ideological nationalism diluted the separatist drive?

• Class based? Issue based? Age based? Or broad tent party?

• Discourse: culture / economy OR culture + economy?

• Devolution as a moderate solution or full on complete secession?

Nationalist rhetoric

•Alex Salmond launches Scottish independence Yes campaign (25May12)

Nationalist Opponents• During the most recent indyref campaign = the Better Together side (the NO side) BUT

• Before the referendum, SNP opponents included Margaret Thatcher, Westminster (the British parliament that did not, and does not, listen to Scotland), and generally any political party that refused to account for Scottish (cultural and economic) interests and for Scotland’s distinct society, and/or its independence

Some final words on nationalism

• What will happen after the failed referendum?

• Scotland only a case study of theoretical nationalism

• End point? Independent Scotland feasible in our life time? Federal UK? Europe of Regions?

• Effect on Westminster and continentally?!

• Ever die down? Similar results with the Bloc Quebecois in Canada? Rollercoaster effect? Time will tell… so stay tuned!