Term Paper about the scottish independence referendum
"We are bought and sold for English gold. Such a parcel of rogues in a nation." - Scotland's famous bard Robert Burns. It is said that personal financial interests, triggered through the failure of the Darien Scheme, a colonization project by the Kingdom of Scotland, and bribery led to the Acts of Union between the Parliaments of Scotland and England on 1 May 1707. The two Parliaments united and formed the Parliament of Great Britain. Since then, many individuals and organizations have advocated the return of a Scottish Parliament. Moreover, some have argued for devolution - a Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom - whereas others have demanded complete independence. While the first referendum on a stronger devolution in 1979 failed, the second one in 1997 has been a success, leading to the Scotland Act of 1998 being passed and the Scottish Parliament being established in 1999. After its formation in 1934, the Scottish National Party won its first election in 2007 and, again, in 2011, delivering the first majority government since the opening of Holyrood - the law making body of Edinburgh. With the overall majority, and the Scottish Parliament combined, the case for Scottish Independence strongly reoccurs these days. Alex Salmond, the leader of the Scottish National Party and current First Minister of Scotland, is one of the main proponents of Scottish Independence, now intending to hold a referendum on this issue in the autumn of 2014. There are several points speaking in favor of independence but equal as many against it. Before weighing the pros and the cons of the issue, I will start off with a narrow description of the voting system and the questions concerning the referendum bill in general.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Referendum Process and Voting System
3. Debating the Voting Options
3.1. Status Quo
3.2. Devo Max
3.3. Scottish Independence
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the political landscape and complex debates surrounding the upcoming Scottish Independence Referendum scheduled for 2014, analyzing the varying perspectives on potential outcomes and their implications for Scotland and the United Kingdom.
- Historical context of the union between Scotland and England
- Mechanics and voting rights concerning the referendum bill
- The concept and debate surrounding "Devo Max"
- Economic and political implications of full Scottish independence
- Arguments for and against the maintenance of the status quo
Excerpt from the Book
Scottish Independence Referendum
"We are bought and sold for English gold. Such a parcel of rogues in a nation." - Scotland's famous bard Robert Burns. It is said that personal financial interests, triggered through the failure of the Darien Scheme, a colonization project by the Kingdom of Scotland, and bribery led to the Acts of Union between the Parliaments of Scotland and England on 1 May 1707. The two Parliaments united and formed the Parliament of Great Britain. Since then, many individuals and organizations have advocated the return of a Scottish Parliament. Moreover, some have argued for devolution - a Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom - whereas others have demanded complete independence. While the first referendum on a stronger devolution in 1979 failed, the second one in 1997 has been a success, leading to the Scotland Act of 1998 being passed and the Scottish Parliament being established in 1999. After its formation in 1934, the Scottish National Party won its first election in 2007 and, again, in 2011, delivering the first majority government since the opening of Holyrood - the law making body of Edinburgh. With the overall majority, and the Scottish Parliament combined, the case for Scottish Independence strongly reoccurs these days. Alex Salmond, the leader of the Scottish National Party and current First Minister of Scotland, is one of the main proponents of Scottish Independence, now intending to hold a referendum on this issue in the autumn of 2014.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Provides a historical overview of the union between Scotland and England and traces the political development of the Scottish Parliament and the rise of the Scottish National Party.
2. The Referendum Process and Voting System: Discusses the logistics of the 2014 referendum, including the target audience for voting and the ongoing disputes regarding the inclusion of additional ballot options.
3. Debating the Voting Options: Evaluates the three main potential outcomes—status quo, devo max, and full independence—by analyzing their respective political and economic arguments.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes the arguments and offers a final perspective on why a "devo max" approach might serve as a more balanced compromise than total independence.
Keywords
Scotland, Independence, Referendum, United Kingdom, Devolution, Devo Max, Scottish National Party, Alex Salmond, Holyrood, North Sea Oil, Economy, Status Quo, Political Reform, Westminster
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum, discussing the political history, the voting process, and the arguments surrounding potential constitutional changes.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the political relationship between Scotland and the UK, the nuances of the "devo max" proposal, the economic impact of independence, and the role of national identity in political decision-making.
What is the core research question or objective?
The objective is to analyze the viability and complexity of the different referendum options (status quo, devo max, and independence) to determine which path might be most advantageous for Scotland.
Which scientific method is applied here?
The work employs a qualitative analytical approach, utilizing historical context, contemporary political discourse, and economic assessments based on current literature and expert commentary.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It provides a breakdown of the three potential voting scenarios, detailing the arguments for and against each, while specifically focusing on the challenges of implementing a multi-option ballot.
Which keywords best characterize this analysis?
The study is best described by terms such as Scottish Independence, Devo Max, Holyrood, Westminster, political devolution, and the economic union of the UK.
What is the specific definition of "devo max" as explored in the text?
It is generally defined as the full devolution of all internal powers to the Scottish Parliament, excluding areas like defense and foreign affairs, which would remain under Westminster control.
Why is the "status quo" considered a point of contention?
While the UK provides security and economic stability (e.g., during the 2008 bank crisis), opponents argue that Scotland remains disadvantaged and that its interests are often secondary to those of England.
What role does North Sea Oil play in the independence debate?
It is cited as a significant natural resource that would theoretically provide high revenues to an independent Scotland, though some experts warn that the industry is in decline.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the referendum?
The author concludes that "devo max" represents the most favorable compromise, as it grants Scotland greater autonomy while maintaining the security benefits provided by the United Kingdom.
- Citation du texte
- Marco Schmidbauer (Auteur), 2012, About the Scottish Independence Referendum, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/388670
