Scotland as Independent Country - Essay Example

Should Scotland Be An Independent Country? Introduction In recent years, there has been a heated debate on whether Scotland should become an independent nation. While some people are passionately supporting the idea of Scotland gaining independence, others have been pessimistic and feel that the country should remain part of the United Kingdom.1 Usually, there are numerous challenges that come with pursuit of independence for every country. However, there are also numerous benefits that would accrue to a country in the event that it gains independence and begin to manage its own affairs autonomously. Recently, Alex Salmond, the Scottish First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party, made it public that Scotland would be conducting an independence referendum on Thursday, 18 September, 2014.2 The stakes are high with pro-independence Scots highly expecting a positive outcome from the much awaited historic moment when the fate of the nation will be decide. However, amidst all the pessimism and optimism, one question remains inevitable. Should Scotland become independent? This paper explores the reasons why Scotland qualifies to become an independent nation. The People of Scotland Deserve To Elect Their Own Government A country’s population plays a major role in ensuring that their country is a success. In order to actively participate in public decision making process, election presents the only tool through which citizens can ensure that good leadership is installed in public offices. At the moment, Scotland is governed by a Westminster-based government that was never voted in by most Scots. However, this government that does not reflect the will of the citizens of Scotland is responsible for making and implementing major decisions that affect Scotland both socially and economically. In the present world where the issue of democracy extends to the right of individuals to elect their preferred leaders through voting in elections, many people from Scotland have been denied this fundamental human right for a very long time. This bizarre situation can only be reversed if Scotland could become an independent nation. The citizens of Scotland will be in apposition to elect their preferred government that can focus fully on making Scotland one of the most successful nations of the world. A government that is closer to the people will create policies that are focused on the people of Scotland and strive to make life better for everyone living in Scotland.3 For instance, as an independent nation, the Scottish will be able to reverse harsh economic policies of the UK such as tax cut for the richest individuals in the community and implement or restore a tax policy that increases tax allowance for pensioners.4 Being independent would enable Scotland to make its own decisions in both economic and social dimensions. Independence Would See Scotland Become One of the Wealthiest Nations of the World For many years, the economy of Scotland has been bogged down by the UK. There are numerous economic indicators that portray Scotland as a rich country. Based on gross domestic product (GDP) per head, Scotland would fall in the fourteenth place in the listed of the richest countries of the developed world. The wealth of Scotland is built on sound financial institutions, vast economic potential on industry sector, diverse economy, tourism and vast deposit of minerals and other natural resources among others. As such, attaining independence will work in the best interest for the country by giving the government of Scotland the autonomy to make decisions and policies, which would enhance the economy of the nation without distraction. Focusing on the diverse nature of the Scottish economy, the country has vast agricultural and fishing resources and £21.4 billion worth construction industry, providing job opportunities for about 170,000 people.5 Further, Scotland tourism sector supports approximately 200,000 jobs.6 The country also has an annual turnover in manufacturing sector of approximately £39 billion and £12.7 billion value added.7 Scotland is a major contributor to the UK. In 2012-2013 alone, Scotland contributed to the United Kingdom over £800 in tax per person, which exceeded the UK average contribution. As it stands, would the country be an independent nation, it would be richer by £8.3 billion for the last five years.8 The Scottish government would have used this money to make the country’s economy better. Scotland has always been a major tax revenue contributor to the UK, including the times when oil price hit its low. Further, Scotland has spent £64 billion on Westminster in the previous three decades.9 The country has paid this amount to settle interest on UK debt that the nation did not actually need. In a recent research, it was found that Scotland has been shouldering failures realised in Westminster because of economic mismanagement. The deficit and public spending of the UK is much higher than that of Scotland. Scotland has registered an inferior deficit than that of the UK in the previous fiver years. While the deficit of the UK has been at 8.4 percent, the Scotland’s deficit has been 7.2 percent over the same period. Scotland’s public spending only takes 42.7 percent of its GDP whereas that of the UK stands at 45.4 percent.10 Critically assessing these figures, it is clear that Scotland is in a stronger financial position than the UK. Independence Would Facilitate Scotland’s North Sea Securing of Oil Funds Scotland has vast reserves of oil deposits. Scotland has oil valued to be more than £1 trillion in its North Sea region.11 Currently, most of the revenue generated from oil is channeled to Westminster. With independence, Scotland will have absolute control over oil mining and revenues generated from oil sales. The oil revenue transmitted directly to Westminster will be used to develop Scotland instead. The independent Scotland can utilise revenues generated from oil to crate a National Oil Fund, which would facilitate future investment to better the country’s economy.12 Through Independence, Scotland Would Increase Job Opportunities Fro Its Citizens In the event that Scotland becomes independent, the Scottish government would be in a position to make economic decisions, which mainly focus on making the country’s economy better. There would be better economic policies that would encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. Many countries yearn to invest in Scotland.13 This is evident in the report recently compiled by Ernst & Young Attractiveness Survey of the UK, which identified Scotland as a leader in job creation in the UK based on foreign investments.14 Achieving independence could help Scotland to make the country’s business environment more attractive for foreign investors and hence massive creation of job opportunities, not only to the citizens of Scotland, but also the citizens of the neighbouring countries. However, this cannot be achieved when Scotland still operates with no autonomy in public decision making. Scotland and the UK Have Conflicting Political and Social Ideologies Scotland has political ideologies that are far much distinct from those of the UK. Also, the economic approaches and perception of Scotland differ significantly with those of the UK. As such, the two nations have always lived under numerous political ad economic compromises, which are not healthy for both nations. This has even created some sense of enmity between the two nations. Consequently, giving Scotland the autonomy it deserves by separating it from the UK is a crucial step for maintaining good working relationship between the two nations and doing away with many compromises that the countries have to make in order to live under the same roof.15 Independence is the best option fro Scotland to grow both economically and politically rather than maintain a forced marriage that never works in the best interest of Scotland. Independence Would Ensure Better Research and Education Currently, Scotland has stamped its authority as one of the nations with highest quality of education in the world. Scotland has five of its universities in top 200 best universities in the world.16 This reflects on the intensity and the potential of research in the nation. With highly educated population, Scotland has the potential to conduct extensive research to spur economic growth and achieve better social welfare for her people. However, the scope of doing this is limited at the moment because the country is handicapped on decision making ability. With independence, things are likely to change for the better. Scotland Has a Huge Renewable Energy Potential Scotland’s tidal energy constitutes 25 percent of the sum tidal energy potential of Europe.17 Similarly, the country’s wind energy potential lies at 25 percent of the European total wind energy production potential and 10 percent wave energy production capability.18 A few examples of renewable energy firms include Pentland Firth tidal energy firm and Moray Firth, a huge offshore wind energy initiative. With an independent government, Scotland will be able to promote this sector and create more jobs as well as stimulate significant economic growth. Conclusion The benefits that Scotland would reap from becoming an independent nation far much outweighs the disadvantages that would come with it. From the above points, it is quite clear that Scotland would be better off by breaking away from the UK. Independence would enable the citizens of Scotland to exercise their fundamental rights of voting in their preferred government. Independence would also see Scotland become one of the wealthiest countries of the world, secure oil funds, create more job opportunities, avoid political and social compromises, improve education, and promote its renewable energy resources. Though there are potential benefits that Scotland would derive from achieving independence, its future as an independent nation rests on the hands of Scottish people as would be decided in the forthcoming independence referendum. Bibliography Black, Andrew. Q&A: Scottish independence referendum, November 2013. Accessed April 28, 2014 Ernest & Young. Ernst & Young’s attractiveness survey UK 2013: No room for complacency. Accessed April 28, 2014 Flamini, Roland. “Scotland’s Independence Bid: History, Prospects, Challenges,” World Affairs, June 2013.Accessed April 2014 Gray, Michael. 10 key economic facts that prove Scotland will be a wealthy independent nation. Accessed April 28, 2014 Great Britain. Media convergence: 2nd report of session 2012-13. London: Stationery Office, 2013. Hallwood, Paul, and Ronald MacDonald. The political economy of financing Scottish government considering a new constitutional settlement for Scotland. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2009. Independent Scotland. Why vote YES for Scottish Independence? Accessed April 28, 2014 The Scottish Government. Scotland can more than afford to be independent, 2013. Accessed April 28, 2014 Read More