Posted on 09/17/2014 12:11:23 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Scotland’s drive to independence has been interpreted by many as a throwback to ancient identity politics – but many of the trends on display in the Scottish referendum have more to do with the politics of the future than those of the past.
The polls show that this week’s vote is too close to call. There is still a chance that the “No” campaign will ultimately prevail – something that I dearly hope will happen both for the sake of the Scots and the rest of the Britain.
But whatever the result of the vote, I think we must recognize that the “Yes” campaign has done more to shape the agenda of Scottish politics. And it is the forces it tapped into that will also change politics around the world.
So far, the commentary has focused on whether a Yes vote in Scotland will have resonance among other minorities in search of statehood – from Catalonia and Flanders to Taiwan and Quebec.
But the truth is that the political trends in Scotland are also reshaping many nations that do not face imminent break-up – from America to Zambia.
I would point to four trends in particular:
1. SELF-GOVERNMENT WILL INCREASINGLY TRUMP ECONOMICS
The Unionist ‘No’ camp have stressed all of the economic benefits of being part of the union as well as the uncertainty about the future of a Scottish currency as well as Scottish membership of the EU and NATO. This week has been full of talk of dangers to Scotland’s financial services industry from independence (several banks just announced that they would relocate their headquarters to London). The UK treasury estimates that Scots received between 14 percent and 16 percent more in public spending per head than people in the rest of the UK.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.reuters.com ...
I wish big cities could be their own “state”—look how Chicago ruins Illinois.
THE FOUR TRENDS:
1. SELF-GOVERNMENT WILL INCREASINGLY TRUMP ECONOMICS
2. NATIONALISM WILL INCREASINGLY CLAD ITSELF IN PROGRESSIVE CLOTHING.
3. ELITES ARE NOT AS PERSUASIVE AS THEY USED TO BE.
4. THE IDEA OF “ONE NATION” IS DEAD.
What would The Founders do?
Texas next?
http://nypost.com/2014/09/16/price-of-scotch-whisky-could-skyrocket-if-scotland-secedes/
Oh Noes!!!!!!!!!!
If Quebec didn’t do it Scotland certainly won’t.
Quebec didn’t have North Sea Oil Income.
Go Scottland !! (I’m about 15% Scottish)...F the Brits...they say the RBS will leave and the economy will fail?...like hell...if the Scotts go Indy their economy will have a major jump. The Scare tactic boys will come back in a heartbeat...nobody leaves oil deposits...nobody.
Scotland....the mouse that roared.....
Sorry Bravehart, I don’t think this dog is going to hunt.
Cooler heads will prevail.
Scotland won't do nearly as well as they think with their socialist mindset.
Wrong.
Scotland yes/no for going independent is a referendum on Progressive Politics. Increased taxes + growth of the Welfare fueled by the unfettered immigration of ungrateful’s who come with their overwhelming 3rd world birthrates to economical conquer and burden the western democracies until they collapse.
Positive: People should have the right to rule themselves...
Negative: A Balkanized Europe would make things easier for the Islamonazis to take over it...
[ Go Scottland !! (I’m about 15% Scottish)...F the Brits...they say the RBS will leave and the economy will fail?...like hell...if the Scotts go Indy their economy will have a major jump. The Scare tactic boys will come back in a heartbeat...nobody leaves oil deposits...nobody. ]
Note how some in the Laboor part in the UK say that Scotland will lose welfare benefits if they break away...
Gee, kinda exposes the scam that is welfare.... Crumbs for control it is...
Exactly. William Wallace cried out for freedom, the ScotsNats just don’t want their free healthcare fiddled with.
Throw in the fact that 16 year olds can vote in this election, and you have a supply of ignorance which far outstrips any demand for it.
My mother’s side has plenty of Scot and I love the place especially up north and the Orkneys, but damn, I’m glad my ancestors left. These guys just confirm one of my basic axioms: Europeans are simply people whose ancestors didn’t have the balls to come to America.
Has Soros taken a position on this vote?
RE: Once on their own I would guess the Brits will WISH they were all socialists...because...economically a free Scotland might just kick their ass....a bit.
The Brits used to rule Hong Kong. Is Scotland going to be like Hong Kong?
Scotland can't hope to survive indefinitely on North Sea oil. Its reference points must be Ireland, Norway, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc. To make a success as a microstate on the flank of a continental giant, it has to be agile and extremely competitive. Brain dead socialist party hacks leading the government will not cut the mustard. Whether an independent Scotland can meet that test remains to be seen.
Interesting. I think they will approve.
I know!!!
Let’s have a Federal Republic where the individual states essentially rule themselves but have a Federation government which negotiates international issues, interstate issues, and basically takes care of the general borders repelling invasions and regulating immigration!
Whatta concept! Beats an empire run out of one place thousands of miles from where people live, huh?
Oh wait.....that was the United States...of America....before it became just the UnitedStates.
Silly me.
I would like to hear some statements from Scottish leaders calling for individual freedom (not freedom to run their state programs).
I suspect there are very few if any.
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