The Alternative Existence System for Scotland - Essay Example

The alternative existence system for Scotland The devolution of political system in Scotland is an amazing story. Scotland, which was once a poor and apparently backward society has now transformed to one of the world pioneers of industrialisation and a distinguished centre of intellectual life in the eighteenth century. This was mainly due to the high political consensus of the Scottish people. During the twelfth century slavery was present in Scotland. In fifteenth and sixteenth century Scotland was more outward looking society and was in touch with continental developments. Scotland was very slow to industrialization than other parts of the region. There were a number of attempts to awake Scottish consciousness. The famous Covenants revolution was such an attempt. Relying on sixteenth century philosopher George Buchanan's arguments that royal power came from the people and if rulers forget it, people can take that powers back, there were movements in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century against the rulers. The Marquis of Montrose's brutal attempts at repression with an army of Irish Catholic mercenaries were also to feed into the Scottish consciousness. Like all the Stewarts, Charles II learned little from the past and, while he survived, his brother paid the price of attempts to impose bishops and subsequently Catholicism. This was the beginning of self-rule by Scots. The Scotland has seen a high level of intellectual activity by the end of the sixteenth century. Level of literacy in this area was higher than that of England. There were lot of discussions and debates on intellectual subjects. But their high obsession with religion was a major challenge. The cash trapped Scots were happy with the Union of 1707.Even though there were some resistance Scots generally has ambition for merger with England. (C. A. Whatley, Scottish Society, 1707-1830 (Manchester University Press: Manchester, 2000) With the Act of Union, England and Scotalnd became a union called Kingdom of Great Britain. Till then both these regions were sharing a monarch but retined soverign Parliament. But the new act abolished both Parliaments with a new Parliament of Great Britain. The subsequent Scottish Enlightment and industrial revelotion had helped Scotland to become a major intellectual power house of Europe. But after the second world war had left it again as a cash straped region. During the war Scotland had provided a disproportionate number of recruits for the army. Many young lives lost and many villages and communities suffered crucially. During the 1920s and 1930s global recession had also played a major role in increasing poverty and unemployement scenario in Scotland. During Second World War period naval bases and infrastructure in Scotalnd was a target for German forces. The highlands again suffered huge human loss due to large number recruits from this area for UK army. (Kellas, J. G. The Scottish political system. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984) But in the end of 20th century it has been in the process of regaing its past glory with the strength of cultural and economic renaissance and resurging financial services sector. But the Union had created many problems for Scotland also. Culture, language and land ownership situation had been distroyed. Earlier ownership of land was with the Clan, but British had encouraged Clan chiefs to become owners of the land in their control. This has created a lot impact on the lives of Scots. So many people were forced eviciton from highland areas, popularly later known as highland clearance. People had moved to low land areas. However it was the Scottish agricultural revelotuion, which changed the low land area and the traditional farming methods were replaced by efficient and stable agricultural syste. This also ignited more migration to low land area. The agricultural revolution had helped Scottish agriculture to become the most modern productive system in Europe. The first two world wars had caused lot of casualities for Scots. Many life lost in the first world war . In the lowland area, industrial and political crisis started against poor working and living conditions. John Maclean had meanwhile a emerge as a cult figure in these developments and British's had deployed military to control a revolutionary uprising. The World War II had also made things worst for the Scotland. The economic sitution deteriorated due to several reasons such as increasing overseas competition, inefficient industry and lot of industrial disputes. But with the intervention of North Sea Oil and gas there were some recouping for the economy during 1970's. It was in this period that saw the emergence of Scottish Natiional Party. After the Act of Union of 1707 all powers of Scotalnd Parliament were transferred to a new Parliament of Great Britain situtauted in London. But Scots were retained their culture, languages and their Scottish identity. Yet there was an attempt from British to force a British culture and other systems on Scots. They thought that this was like an identity invasion. Jacobitism, which was actually supposed to focus on rights of monarchs has then became a system for increase Scottish nationalism. During mid 19th century some movements had emerged, which argued for home rule and devolution of control over Scottish affairs. Though in the early 20th century there were more call for devolution and this had got the backing of major political party, Labour Party. Untill 1945 but it has not taken up the independence issue as a priority issue. But in 1970's Labour Party again raked up the issue. In 1974 Labour policy again came round to supporting a Scottish Assembly, subject to a referendum. Though there was a referendum on 1979, it was not successful. Earlier in 1974 Scots had elected eleven Scottish National Party representatives to Parliament. This was a major boon for the independence movement of Scotland. They had raised the independence proposals in the Parliament. These members have also the support of Scottish Labour Party. They were demanded for a constitutional change to allow Scottish Parliament to work as a semi autonomous Scottish assembly and control domestic policy. The Parliament then decided to hold a referendum for the purpose. Only 33 percent voted in favour of the proposal and 31 percent against it. But 36 percent not used their voting right and the proposal failed. ((Wkipedia, Scotland politics) The ideas for a Scottish independence has genesis in the strong thought for an independent identity for Scots. It says that Scots have their own strong identifiable culture, separate legal, banking and education system, which is different from that of England. It asks to go back to status it had before 1707. Even after the independence, many Scots were suspicious of the independent rule in Scotland. They feared that the new system will weaken the nation economically and politically. It is argued that Great Britain has a larger bargaining power in the international for a as a major ally of United States. Being part of that country will help Scotland political and economic advantages. But opponents of this argument point out success of small countries such as Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Netherlands. There were other arguments that Scottish independence movement should be viewed as a national liberation movement. Scotland has been against the expansion of United Kingdom and seeks abolition of the monarchy. Writers such as Alasdiar Gray were major torch bears of the independence movement. (Curtice, J. Proportional representation in Scotland: Pubic reaction and voter behaviour, Representation, 2004.) When Margaret Thatcher, a prominet opponent of independence to Scotland came to power in 1979, independence movement had gone low profile. During the rule of conservative party in 1989, Scottish Development had developed a consensus on develution on a cross party basis and started a campaign for a Scottish Assembly. But the ruling conservative party opposed any such move and Scotish National Party withdrew from discussions as the government had refused includes Scottish independence as a constitutional option. One of the arguments used by opponents of devolution is that public spending has traditionally been higher in Scotland and Wales than in England.But in 1997 Labour Party came to power and they had agreed to proposals for a Scottish Parliament. A referendum had been conducted in September that year. In the referendum seventy five percent of the voters approved devolution plan. Then Parliament had passed a Scotland Act to create a Scottish Parliament with control over domestic policy. In May 1999 Scotland Parliament came into existence with Scottish Labour Party leader Donald Dewar as the first Minister of Scotland. There was different view point among the supporters of Scottish independence. Some of them wanted that the devolution should bring in the frame work of United Kingdom. But some others thought it as a clear struggle for independence and a separation demand has even emerged. The devolved Scotland assembly was a 129 member body. Scottish Nationalist Party and Scottish Labour Party are the two major parties in Scotland. The election to Scotland Parliament after devolution had created a mixed result. Scottish Labour Party had formed a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. Donald Dewar, a strong supporter of devolution movement was a seasoned politician and had held various posts in the shadow cabinet during the period 1984 to 1994. He was a leading campaigner for Yes-Yes vote in the devolution referendum of 1997. He was also considered as a major force in passing of Scotland Bill through the House of Commons in 1998. Giving the opening speech at the Scottish Parliament on July 1, 199, Donald Dewar said "this mace is a symbol of the great democratic traditions from which we draw our inspiration and our strength. Through long years, those words (there shall be a Scottish Parliament) were first a hope, then a belief, then a promise. Now they are a reality". He described that moment as a turning point in the history of Scotland and more than Scottish politics and law. He reminded of the great intellectual past of Scotland, when it was a discourse capital of Europe. He said devolution was not an end but a means to greater ends. "We are fallible. We will make mistakes. But we will never lose sight of what brought us here: the striving to do right by the people of Scotland; to respect their priorities; to better their lot; and to contribute to the commonweal", he declared on that auspicious day. But it was not the case, which followed after devolution. Even after many years, majority of Scots are still confused that what devolution has brought to them. It was believed that devolution would help Scots revitalize national identity. Other than increasing demand for the necessity for local language Gaelic, there has been no major change in the total outlook of Scots. Even Gaelic has limited impact on Scottish national life and consciousness. It is not surprising that the Gaelic language does not serve as a talisman of Scottish national identity. It was this back ground that historian and columnist Michael Fry opined that "one basic, boring fact about the new Scotland is that everyone from the diehard unionist to the most rabid nationalist is in favour of Gaelic, just as they are in favour of motherhood and apple pie"("They didn't say yes, they didn't say no, so there could not be a conclusion", Scottish Daily, Mail, 3 March 2000). The majority of the scottish people (post devolution) do not seem to have understand what devolution was about and this has not improved since Devolution as in a recent survey on 18% understood how the scottish parliment worked which means 82% do not understand which is worrying. Now the devolution has become reality and there is still an uncertainity over Scotland's relation with United Kingdom. They feel that devolution did not bring any change to their life. Though Scotland Parliament has constitutional power retained at Westminster politically, it has not explored the potential for devolution of more power.It has not even used its powers to use tax powers. It is believed that the Barnett formula has been a major factor for not using these powers. This formula is a mechanism by her Majesty's treasury in the UK to automatically adjust some elements of public expenditure in Northern Ireland, Scotalnd and Wales to reflect decisions affecting other parts of the country. Devised by Joel Barnett, the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 1970's as a measure to reduce geographical inequality in fund spending. The government has been using it as the basis for funding devolution. It is calculated to ensure that a particular change in public expenditure in one geographical area leads to a change in public expenditure in others which are proportionate to population in the different areas. Scotland was a major beneficiary of this formula than other constituents. The population percentages have been recalculated annually since 1999, and in 2002 the Scottish share was then set at 10.23% of the English amount, reflecting the lower population growth north of the border. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_Formula) There has been other instances in Europe for a devolution such as movement in Bavaria and Central parts of Germany against squeezing or siphoning resources from these places to fund other parts. In Italy also there were similar movements against marginalisation. Italy has been divided into three such as the North, the Middle and the South. The conflict was in terms of regional policy and regional development. The major question was how to achieve a redistribution of resources in favour of the poorer and less developed South Italy. The North was criticised for draining resources from South through an unfair taxation system spending a higher a portion of public funds in the more affluent North. (http://www.intellectbooks.com/europa/number2/bull.htm) In 2003, a second set of devolved elections held in Scotland in a broader political context . That election was held in the back ground of United Kingdom's controversial involvement or support to United States' war on Iraq. The elections were held three months later Baghdad fell. In this elections Labour and Conservative parties have performed well. The results to these elections after devolution should be viewed in a different perspective. Though there is a clear visibility of nationalism among Scots, the British politics and ideologies have greater role in the decision making. The three hundred years of merged nationalist behaviour is still visible in Scottish politics and policy making. The Scottish devolution process has to be viewed in today's Europeanization process. While Scottish independence has created a separate identity for the Scots, it is clear that the country as a small state will not have the same international image as in the united form. The United Kingdom, which is a permanent member of United Nation's Security and a major ally of United States has a greater role to play in the international politics. The economic and political benefits for the UK in this regard are high. As an independent country Scotland would not have the same bargaining power or economic benefit as it was part of the United Kingdom. The major contrast is that the twin processes of Europeanisation and devolution have reshaped the expectation of the public and policy making within UK. While there are strong arguments for Euroepeanisation on a larger context, the tiny states have been developing national identity. Scotland's ambition for devolution should view in this complex situation. Europeanisation asks for incorporation of a trans national European Union legislative element. This is a move to improve competence in both political and economic field in the international level. In EU legislature, legislative authorities are shares with national or sub -national legislatures. So the policies enacted at the EU level would have to be implemented in the domestic level of tiny states. So the sub nations were prohibited to introduce laws which clashes with EU legislatures. It is feared that these conditions will be a major hurdle on the legislative autonomy of small states. The devolution provides a separation of legislative competence between Parliaments of both UK and Scotland. Though there is a considerable degree of overlapping between the EU level and Scotalnd level of governance, there are lots of other areas of concerns.( Noreen Burrows, Dr Caitriona Carter, Maria Fletcher, Local Government in Scotland and the European Governance Agenda, COSLA at its Annual Conference, St Andrews 2005) It is a fact that Scotland could not stand as an independent power in today's international economic and political situation. The best way is to think of new ways of integration with the European Union. It should be in a way allowing the national identity of Scots. Scotland can participate in the European Union as other small members of EU such as Denmark, Netherlands and Norway. This should satisfy the ambition of Scots for an independent existence and more economic and political bargaining power as country in the international level. Being part of European Union Scotland can address its apprehension of economic and political weakness of devolution from UK system. The idea of devolution was earlier perceived as a political and national identity question. But actually it is an economic and cultural issue. The Scots are yet to look at in economic point of view. For better yields and clearing the complex uncertainty regarding its economic stability, Scotland Parliament should assume more constitutional powers. Reference: Andersen, S.S. (ed.) 2001, Institutional Approaches to the European Union. Proceedings from an ARENA Workshop. Oslo: ARENA Report No 3/2001. Caparaso, J.A. and A. Stone Sweet 2001, Conclusion: Institutional logics of European integration. In A. Stone Sweet, W. Sandholtz and N. Fliegstein 2001, The Institutionalization of Europe 221-236. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Keating, M. (2005) The Government of Scotland (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press). LESLEY McARA, Modelling penal transformation, University of Edinburgh, UK Lynch, P. (2001) Scottish Government and Politics (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press). McFadden, J. and Lararowicz, M. (2003) The Scottish Parliament. An Introduction (Edinburgh: LexisNexis Noreen Burrows, Dr Caitriona Carter, Maria Fletcher, Local Government in Scotland and the European Governance Agenda, COSLA at its Annual Conference, St Andrews 2005 Regional Consensus-Building As A Mediating Factor In European Regionalisation: Territorial Politics Between Adaptation And Empowerment, Paper presented at the workshop 'Regionalism Revisited. Territorial Politics in the Age of Globalization.' 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