The Scottish Referendum

One question. Six words. A possible change in the world socioeconomic makeup.

Should Scotland be an independent country?

It is a simple question, right? Wrong. There are so many details regarding the minute particulars of a shift of power that the complications alone would likely be enough for me (if I were a citizen there) to vote “No”. However, the part of my region that thirsts after watching historical events go down and the part of my brain that hungers after the excitement of new opportunities is screaming “Yes”. So which is it? What should Scotland vote tomorrow?

Because I try not to form and proclaim biases, I will leave the answering of the previous questions to you. There are a few things you may want to take into account though.

First, a few points of clarification and vocabulary recognition should be addressed. A referendum is a single question that is to be put before an entire electorate that is presented as a popular referendum (brought about via petition) or as a legislative referendum (coming from the legislative body). Scotland will be holding a special legislative referendum. Unlike other legislative referendums, the proposed question has not been put to a legislative vote. This is because it deals directly with changes to the national constitution. In fact, it would completely change the constitution.

As this is a yes-or-no question, it makes sense that there are two major campaign groups that are active in lobbying for the electorate. Those who are desirous of independence are simply called “Yes Scotland” while the opposition, hoping to remain with Great Britain call themselves “Better Together”.

As a part of their campaign, “Yes Scotland” has come up with a “Yes Declaration”. Reading through this declaration there are no major surprises. The key phrase states, “Scotland’s future will be in Scotland’s hands.” This declaration goes on to state that, “We can build a greener, fairer and more prosperous society that is stronger and more successful than it is today.” Although it does not go in to great detail, it is understood that this is a process to get to that endpoint. The beginning of this process is what “Better Together” is attacking.

“Better Together” and its advocates believe that the starting point for this new nation would be too low to recover from. Because of how dependent Scotland has been on Great Britain, independence would be a step backward of nearly 307 years. Their economic strength would be stripped, their alliances would be in need of negotiations, and they would have to go through the processes, again, of accession into the UN and the EU. These issues take time to rectify; time that “Yes Scotland” believes is manageable and “Better Together” finds impossible.

Though most nations have kept any feelings on the matter under wraps, the UK and the US have spoken out both in support of “Better Together” and a “No” vote. The US believes that a backwards move makes little sense and could lead to further breakdown of Great Britain and the greater UK Commonwealth. The UK desires to keep Scotland for economic reasons as there are oil and gas opportunities in the North Sea. Also, taking note from Thucydides’ “Melian Dialogue” and confirming the US concern, Scotland leaving may destabilize other Commonwealth and Great Britain protectorates. This would cause major unfavorable ramifications for England, a major cornerstone of Europe.

However the Scots decide to vote tomorrow, there will be many eyes from around the world observing to see if the independence movement is successful. Of note is Catalonia, Spain, which has a referendum of its own this November. Success in Scotland will give confidence to Catalonia and may also inspire further movements throughout the world, possibly even the Kurds in the Middle East.

Though I do not have a specific position on the referendum, I will also be watching anxiously for the results of the vote as well as what will happen next for Scotland and Great Britain.

For further information on these two groups visit their websites: http://www.bettertogether.net/ and http://www.yesscotland.net/