Scottish Independence

Contents Introduction 3 Chapter I world(a) nurture - 4 Chapter II Arguments for and against the stinting license Arguments for the freedom 6 Arguments against the independence 7 Conclusion 10 Bibliography - 11Introduction The subject I piddle examine in this research paper is the possible independence of Scotland. I chose this case because the Scots independence is a problem of great importance non only if for the UK and Scotland, save also for the whole Europe. While doing my research I found precise strong and opposing scenes somewhat this recent topic. stintingal independence is a relevant and important matter that has been debated for m both a(prenominal) old age besides is now at the pinnacle of debate.Both public and politicians and opposing opinions around independence and finished step up this work I go forbidden evaluate the close current and most emotive arguments for and against independence. First, I pull up stakes speak slightly the histo rical background of this issue and ab bulge out the parties fighting for independence. Next, I will represent for and against arguments, which will c be to go by means of this complicated issue. Chapter I General information Scotland was an free lance area from 843, with the unification of the Scots and Picts.In medieval measures, Scotland fought for exemption from England, which Mel Gibson dramatic solelyy depicted in his Academy Award-winning movie Braveheart. non long subsequently W all(prenominal)ace died in the early 1 third hundreds, Robert the Bruce led Scotland to independence, and it remained an autonomous res publica until the Act of Union joined Scotland and England in 1707. Since then Scotland has been ace of cardinal countries in the linked Kingdom. til now, the joined Kingdom returned some liberty to Scotland, Wales and blue Ireland, and gave them the adept to form their experience parliaments, in the late 1990s.Thus, in 1999, Scotland legitimate de volved powers for a newfound parliament in Holyrood. And now, more than 700 days after William Wallace died fighting for frugal independence, and more than ccc days after Scotland and England came to steriliseher in a United Kingdom, a new agreement could peak to an unaffiliated Scotland. Since the Scots National troupe (SNP) came to power five old age ago (in 2007) in that respect has been a wave of nationalistic feverishness wholesale the country and independence is on their agenda. Increasingly people see autonomy as a panacea for all the difficulties Scotland faces.Thus, in 2014 Scotland will answer to maintain the UK or to dissolve it, and this decision will shape non that if the future of Scotland, but also of the whole UK. The question of dissimilar debates is spate Scotland take the next step and rick a amply functioning independent state again, and will this be good for Scotland and the peacefulness of UK, or at least for cardinal(a) of them. As I cede already mentioned, the economical independence is supported most prominently by the Scotch National Party, which is currently the largest policy-making party in Scotland.But other parties also take a leak pro-independence policies. These ar the economical Green Party, the Scottish collective Party and Solidarity. S ra slumpy-two of the seats in the Scottish Parliament argon now held by parties/members who set out expressed pro-independence sentiments, everyplace 55% of the total. These be the 69 Scottish National Party members, the two Green members and Margo MacDonald, an independent politician. It is also important to know, that SNP forms a minority government activity in the Scottish Parliament.On the matter of Scottish independence British Prime Minister David Cameron and his Scottish counterpart, First Minister Alex Salmond, signed a deal in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Monday paving the way for Scots to vote on independence from the United Kingdom. The referendum, expected to be held in 2014, would allow Scots a now yes-or-no vote on staying in the union. On this case the Yes Scotland campaign was launched in May. This campaign tries to build a groundswell of support for an independent Scotland.However, Cameron has vocally opposed Scottish independence. In February, he said I am blow% clear that I will fight with everything I arrive at to prolong our United Kingdom together, since an intact United Kingdom, consisting of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is stronger, safer, richer and fairer. Rather, the SNP claims that a dictatorial vote for independence in a referendum would give birth enormous incorrupt and political force impossible for a future government (Westminster) to fire, and hence Westminster will decl be Scotland independent.After this agreement was signed, different surveys were released, and almost all these surveys showed that less than 50% of the Scots polled sine qua noned to break away from the Unit ed Kingdom. Its fair to say that not plenty people insufficiency independence. The fact that the SNP are in power now cigarettenot be get worded an reading material that Scotland wants independence. The United Kingdom, and its constituent parts by proxy, are signatories to the United Nations hold and as such any action to deny the people of Scotland a right to vote would be in contradiction to the obligations to uphold self-rule.Article 1 in both the International Covenant on Civil and policy-making Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) reads All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political stead and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. The United Nations customary Declaration of Human Rights (Article 15) further states that everyone has the right to a nationality, and that no one should be arbitrarily deprived of a nationality o r denied the right to interpolate nationality.However, there are certain factors that give rise to the possession of the right to self-determination These are ? a history of independence or self-determination in an identifiable territory ? a perspicuous culture ? a will and might to regain self-governance Chapter II Arguments for and against the Scottish independence 1. Arguments for the independence Now I want to speak about the reasons why many Scots consider they should their independence back. First and foremost, Scotland is its own country.It is a distinct country which has its own culture, people, history, customs, national dress, land and sea borders, health service, statutory establishment, education system, flag and a history of nationhood that. So beyond any reasonable debate, it qualifies under all three criteria (the Scottish Parliament representing the capability section), and any attempt to frustrate the peoples right to self-determination will find itself on the wrong side of both national and international law. The next argument is that Scotland considers that UK spends some of the countrys bills not appropriately and effectively.They say that while the UKs position as a power of the world has dwindled in the last fifty years and especially in the last ten years it unfortunately bland spends money like a superpower of the world. This stick out be seen with it spend in nuclear weapons for the next 35 years at a cost between ? 20bn to ? 35bn. This is a significant amount of the deficit, that the current UK government is trying to save through with(predicate) cuts to schools/universities, hospitals, police, and other public services.Thus, if Scotland were independent, they would invest their elsewhere. crack over North Sea oil and gas, which is expected to generate ? 56bn in r counterbalanceue over the next six years, is also a major battleground in the run-up to the independence. Alex Salmond, Scotlands first minister, claims Scot land would take control of 90% of North Sea fields after independence, helping it to become one of the worlds richest countries. Furthermore, for the next fifty years, renewable energy is seen as a hear industry worldwide.Scotland has a strategic position for wind, hydro, and tide powered energy. With over 40 years of North Sea oil thus far available, the mesh could be poured into renewable energy instead of being sent to London. present a great rise of nationalism can be ascertained in Scotland. Thus many Scots stick to the point that if Scotland were to become independent, it would emphasize their greatest individuals, businesses, and achievements instead of having them blended with Westminster politicians. 2. Arguments against the independenceFrom all the above mentioned we can conclude that there is obviously a case for Scottish license, but before doing this we shall discuss the reason against the Scottish autonomy. Through being a part of Great Britain Scotland has manage d to become one of the top financial powers in the world but some are still trying to develop Scotland when in fact it isnt broken. volume depend they should have more control over their own country and demand more rights. However they do have control over their country as they take root on matters like health, education, transport, housing, environment and local affairs.Isnt that lavish? Scottish devolved parliament has been working singly since 1998 with no major issues so why should this be changed, if it can bring many problems. People complain that Scottish devolved parliament doesnt have enough power yet they have Scottish MPs academic session in Westminster deciding on English issues, whereas no English MPs are sitting in Holyrood. The Scottish parliament has only Scottish MPs deciding on its affairs but polish up in Westminster England have Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and English MPs deciding on theirs. How is that fair?If anyone should be complaining it should b e the English. Scotland has its own devolved parliament but also has 258 Labour seats down in Westminster deciding on British and English issues. First of all they are lucky to have as much(prenominal) power as they do being even less than a tenth of the population of Britain. So, why should this be changed, if it can result in many problems of different types. Moreover, for unionists, the main argument against Scottish independence is the Barnett formula a rule that Scotland receives 10 pence of every jam made in the UK, while only having 8. % of the population. Social issues would not be our only problem Scotland would encounter many other issues if we were to become independent. Problems with passports or currency what would be done about them? What would be the solution? give notice (of) a six million population to apply for a new passport and exchange all of their money to Euros. Also problems like defensive measure or immigration and the other issues which chance upon t he whole of the British island which are now dealt with in Westminster. How would separate independent states decide to split these responsibilities?The supposal that independence is achievable with the costs and problems involved is something the Scottish taxpayer would have to take for the burden of. Scotlands strong position in Britain is not the only reason against autonomy. The fact that people simply dont want independence is another vital argument. This is being ignored by the SNP who are still campaigning for Scottish independence explaining that independence is going to help Scotland prosper but why then after 7 years of SNP campaigning only 37% of Scotland votes for independence in polls.Another barrier is that numerous commentators have raised the objection that since a vote for independence would affect the entire UK, then residents of England, Wales and Northern Ireland should also be entitled to vote. Others have raised the issue of whether Scots not currently residen t in Scotland should have the right to vote. More problematic would be Scotlands status as an independent EU member state in the flying field of foreign and particularly defense policy.It currently remains unclear if an independent Scotland would remain part of the British troops forces or if it would develop its own military capabilities and consequently an independent defense and security policy. This is probably the biggest push for the British government which has to fear that the withdrawal of Scottish forces from the UKs military capabilities would substantially weaken the status of a smaller Union consisting only of England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the EUs defence and security pillar.To will from the United Kingdom certainly poses substantial and unforeseen risks for Scotland, most of all in terms of the countrys economic and budgetary development. However, England potentially has most to lose overall from Scottish independence. If Scotland splits from the rest of t he UK and turns out to be relatively viable as an independent country it is possible that Wales, and even Northern Ireland, will follow its example. As a smaller country existing outside the Eurozone, Englands influence over the political and economic agenda of the EU would be diminished.It would then only be a matter of time for the Eurosceptics in the Conservative party and the UK Independence Party to get their way and for a public referendum on Englands EU membership to take place. Hence, English Eurosceptics who consider Scottish independence as an opportunity to push their country quicker towards EU exit should think again. Scotland might have the last laugh after all. Conclusion Thus, in this research paper I spoke about the issue of Scottish independence. This is a matter of global importance, and in the first chapter of my work I tried to give general information about the history of his question, about the parties which want their country gain independence, about different surveys held on this issue. In the second chapter I represented the major for and against arguments. This arguments help us understand what are the main reasons some Scots want independence and what are the objections. Thus, we can come to a conclusion, that if the Scottish national partys irrational campaign for independence does succeed one day Scotland would be looking at a whole different range of problems. The time interval of Britain would provoke competition, worst relationships and ambiguity in various questions.And in my opinion even if the idea of this independence does have good points for Scotland, this nationalistic vainglory will only make both Scotland and the rest of the UK more vulnerable. Bibliography 1. http//www. markedbyteachers. com/as-and-a-level/ English/scottish-independence 2. http//edition. cnn. com/2012/10/15/world/europe/uk-scotland-independence/index. html 3. http//wingsland. podgamer. com/weekend-essay-the-right-to-decide/ 4. http//www. bbc. co. uk / word/uk-scotland-13326310 5. http//topics. cnn. com/topics/scotland 6. http//www. bbc. co. uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19942638 7. ttp//edition. cnn. com/2012/10/15/world/europe/uk-scotland-independence/index. html 1. http//interstateinaninstant. wordpress. com/2012/02/04/the-case-for-scottish-independence-regional-trade-energy-and-power/ 8. http//www. charliedavidson. net/scottish-independence/ 1 . http//www. markedbyteachers. com/as-and-a-level/english/scottish-independence 2 . http//wingsland. podgamer. com/weekend-essay-the-right-to-decide 3 . http//www. bbc. co. uk/news/uk-scotland-13326310 4 . http//topics. cnn. com/topics/scotlandScottish IndependenceShould Scotland be Independent? There has been a wave of nationalistic fever sweeping the country ever since the SNP came to power in 2007. Independence is on their agenda and now there is a referendum set for 2014. But why should we go independent? After all, we have been married to England for over 300 years an d our country is too poor and too wee to straightforward up to the economic giants in the global market today and what would feel if the our brims were to self-destruct again? Would we manage to govern our own country independently?Increasingly people are getning to see autonomy as a panacea for the predicament Scotland faces. However, there are masses out there that are still worried about the myriad of nonreciprocal questions about independence. Furthermore, misconceptions are conceived through the unionists tactics, throw enough mud and hope to the full some will stick, and now that the referendum meet has been announced, we can observe the wild thrashing Scotland will receive through the masses of propaganda that the London controlled media will propagate. Firstly, it is important to consider if Scotland is prosperous enough to survive on its own.Scotland is a rich country, yet many Scottish people are poor. Scotland has a surplus of energy, yet many Scottish people strugg le to heat their homes. Scotland produces an educated workforce thanks to our tradition of free education for all, yet Scots are forced to migrate to find work. Why is that, if the Union has been so great for us? Poverty, which disfigures much of our country, is a direct product of the Union. If Scotland really is so poor, a rheumy society dependent on handouts, then just why is it that Westminster is so desperate to keep a hold of us?Those opposing Scotlands independence claim that she would be unable to cope in a situation like the HBOS and RBS bailouts. The truth about one of the bailouts is illuminated if we consider the name HALIFAX Bank of Scotland it was not solely aScottish bank it was run from Halifax, in Yorkshire, England. All the management and decision-making was carried out in England. So half of the blame deserves to be placed on the avaricious muttonheads at Halifax. After all, it was coping just fine before Halifax came along.Unlike what the media skewed towards , Scotland really deserves the minority of the blame for the crash at RBS too. As Andrew Hughes Hallett, Professor of political economy at St Andrews University put it, speaking on Radio Scotland. by international convention, when banks which operate in more than one country get into these sorts of conditions, the bailout is share in proportion to the area of activities of those banks, and therefore its shared between several countries. In the case of the RBS, Im not sure of the exact numbers, but roughly speaking 90% of its operations are in England and 10% are in Scotland 1Therefore, in reality, Scotland was only responsible for 10% of the crash at RBS. Which is quite a substantial deviation from what the media proposed. I wonder how they managed to dodge that fact. Oil is a delimited resource and eventually it is going to run out. But what is the point in pretending its not there now just because theres a chance that it may only last 30-40 years? According to the oil companies . Which I am sure must be absolutely 100% accurate. Why would an oil company want to lower the length of time their reserves will last? It does not at all arduous like simple business logic to me.Lets all face it if a doctor tells a family that their granny has three years left and she passes in six months the doctor will be met with a multitude of beetroot faces demanding explanations. In addition, the more people that begin to think that oil is drying up the higher the price will be. And that doer mega bucks for the oil companies when they make money Scotland makes money (that is if it were independent). As it stands, Scotland currently wants to set up an oil fund. It does not sound like a bad idea that is how the Norwegians powered their way through the recession.They were smart enough to capture the opportunity. However, the UK is against this because it wants the money for bank bailouts and nuclear toys. So what happens when it eventually does run out? Well, as it runs ou t, a 50% reduction does not exactly submit to a 50% fall in revenue prices will projectile and despite this possibly not boding well with the consumers, it will still boost the nations economy. In addition, it is possible we will score upon even more financially viable reserves which no one seems to account for in the horrifying statistics.If not, then we will just simply have to be a bit more economical and is Scotland not the perfect place to go green? We are geographically sound in terms of wave and wind energy. With the oil fund pot, that we will have if we go through with autonomy, we will be able to fully open the door into the renewable industry. This will propel us through any economic crises that may face us later down the line. And the country will be clean. However, if we do not go through with independence now, before our oil runs out, then yes, we probably have very little chance of independence being successful.I bet David Cameron would happily let us devolve after that. Scotland is not uniquely incapable of governing itself. We are not too wee. We have a larger population than the Irish Republic, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Slovenia. We have approximately the same population as Denmark or Finland. In area, we are larger than Slovenia, the Irish Republic, Belgium We are approximately the same size as the Czech Republic or Austria. Plus, the Scottish parliament appears to be plugging away just fine and if all of these countries can manage on their own why cant we?People of Scotland, vote for independence while we can in 2014 After 300 years of a helpless bickering marriage, I think it is time for an amicable divorce. It happens every day. Sometimes it just does not work out and it is time that we all come to grips with that fact. 1 http//www. muzzerino. com/2011/08/truth-about-hbos-and-rbs-bail-out. html http//www. muzzerino. com/2011/08/truth-about-hbos-and-rbs-bail-out. html http//www. newsnetscotland. com/index. php/scottish-opi nion/4341-a-unionist-lexicon-an-a-z-of-unionist-scare-stories-myths-and-misinformation privation