Scottish Nationalism: History, Ideology and the Question of Independence

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Description

For more than a decade now, the issue of Scottish independence has been one of the key features in British politics and has raised questions as to the likely survival of the United Kingdom in the post Brexit era. In Scotland, the SNP has been in government since 2007 and has established a political hegemony that makes it the most successful political party in terms of electoral politics in Europe. Yet, the political philosophy of this movement has not been studied in any great depth and a number of basic questions remain unanswered, such as why is the movement non-violent and constitutional Why does it believe that Scotland as a nation should exercise its right to self-determination and how does it square a largely outward-looking and cosmopolitan vision of society with nationalism This book answers these important questions. By examining the evolution of nationalist ideas on Scottish history, its relationship to the philosophy of nationalism, as well as how the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England created an unusual legal and constitutional framework, this book offers new insights into Scottish history and Scotlands place within the Union and relates it to wider international and imperial British history.

Reviews

Most studies of the national movement in Scotland focus onits organisation,policies and political impact.Written by a leading historian of Scotland,this important contribution to the subject takes a different approach by analysing the evolution of the fundamental ideas over the long term on which the aspirations to Scottish independence were built and developed. * Tom Devine, Professor Sir, University of Edinburgh, UK *
This is an incisive and invigorating forensic examination of the constitutional questions that have come to dominate Scottish politics; a wide-ranging and nuanced examination whose hallmark is enlightened scepticism, not polemical pandering to nationalists and unionists. * Allan I. Macinnes, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Strathclyde, Scotland. *
Scottish Nationalism comprehensively covers the history and motivation of the independence movement, paying particular attention to the historic background of the movement and the question of the nature of sovereignty. * Professor Murray Pittock, University of Glasgow, UK *

Author Bio

Richard Finlay is Professor of Scottish History at the University of Strathclyde, UK.