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Shyirasky
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Nationalism todayThis may appear like a rather obvious question but I'm going to ask it anyway. What do you see as the role for nationalism today? What are your thoughts on devolution? Is it a unionist dead end or a nationalist stepping stone to independence or both?
Sorry, there's a few questions but all interelated.
I guess it would depend on what side of the fence you happen to be sitting on at the time. I'm on the fence as I don't know enough about the subject to make an informed decision - yet. I'm learning and forming my opinions daily and listening to the opinions of others will help.
Thanks everyone
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SLG
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On the issue of nationalism... I suppose it depends on your view of what nationalism is. Until just a few years ago I would never have described myself as a nationalist. I was just a Scot who took a certain amount of interest and pride in my country. I feel I have been forced into what some would call a nationalist position as a reaction to the British nationalism I feel is being imposed artificially from above. Scotland's position where we are run as a UK region leads to much greater challenges and conflict in terms of national identity and culture that many other nations don't have to suffer. IMO independence will lead to a much more natural relationship between Scots and their national identity.
Of course there are some who believe that their sense of Scottish national identity can sit happily hand in hand with British national identity. I don't think that's sustainable in this day an age though.
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BonnieBlueFlag
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Nationalism still is generally a more powerful force that it is given credit for.
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Avatar
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I would agree with what SLG said about nationalism. As for devoloution, I dont think it has had the desired effect that many unionists wanted. Instead of crushing seperatist parties and independence - its given them a louder voice than they would have had as a minority in Westminister. Throw in the constitutional problems they've created for themselves i.e the WLQ, The likelyhood that we'll have two different types of government in control of Holyrood and Westminster in the near future and the fact that the majority of Scots atleast want the parliament to hold greater powers, I think it has certainly become a stepping stone to independence. Now Blair realises it you can see him getting agitated and lashing out at yon Cardinal and lying through his teeth again.
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Shyirasky
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I am proud of Scotland and I certainly take an interest in what happens in Scotland - does that make me a nationalist? I don't know. Like you said SLG, it depends on what you define as nationalism. I'm still forming my opinions on independence but the more I learn the more I feel I believe that it would solve far many more problems than it would ultimately create.
What are the challenges and conflicts the Scots face? How are these challenges to be overcome? I think that the Scottish Parliament should be given more powers and that democratic control should be as close to the people of Scotland as possible. I feel the Westminster govt is just too far removed from what the people of Scotland want. Is it just a cultural thing?
Has the independent voice got louder because of devolution? If we can get them to agree to that then it's only a matter of time before they sanction full independence?
My question raises even more questions than I can answer.
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Theresa
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Shyirasky wrote:
| Quote: | | What are the challenges and conflicts the Scots face? How are these challenges to be overcome? I think that the Scottish Parliament should be given more powers and that democratic control should be as close to the people of Scotland as possible. I feel the Westminster govt is just too far removed from what the people of Scotland want. Is it just a cultural thing? |
I'd say those sensibilities make you a Scottish nationalist. 
Shyirasky, if you're a reader, there are lots of resources for you to tap. I'm sure IF Convenor, Azzuri, and others can offer advice. Here are a few thoughts drawn from my own course of study:
1) Welsh nationalist Gwynfor Evans campaigned tirelessly for decades because of his "positive caring for the national community of Wales and its constituent parts." The caring involved promotion of the language, political legitimacy, economic viability, and the values of a community-centered allocation of resources. He also emphasized the importance of working internationally with other countries.
2) A nation is an imagined (i.e., envisioned) community, conceived as a deep, horizontal comradeship. (Benedict Anderson)
3) Nationalism holds that the political and national unit should be congruent . . . a sentiment/movement that arouses anger by the violation of this principle. (Ernest Gellner)
4) When nationalist movements activate, one often finds a factor of underdevelopment used as exploitation by the dominant country. You'll find depopulation, cultural impoverishment, fragmentation fo economic growth, and a psychology of powerlessness and dependency. (Tom Nairn)
5) To quote Gwynfor again: "Yet the 'British Nation' will disappear without a trace when Scotland and Wales are free. . . " (A National Future for Wales) I think that says it all, and I think we're seeing more nationalist movements on the rise because smaller countries are tired of being dominated and colonized by larger ones who are insensitive to the particularity of others.
Probably strange sentiments coming from an American, but then I never did quite fit the mold. 
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Lothian Sky
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I care about Scotland passionately, and my "nationalism" is about history, pride, culture, sense of belonging, family, language, heritage etc.
But am I any more "nationalist" than your average Dane, Norwegian, Australian of Pole? I dont think so. Every Scot is proud to be Scottish, the only difference with my patriotism and a unionist's patriotism, is that I want independence. I think it would benefit us greatly. I'm not for rebuilding Hadrian's Wall, or excluding anyone. I just want fair treatment and recognition for my country, which at the moment, is no more than a forgotten region of the British state, with no voice and no place in the world.
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Corby Boy
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Theresa, you are indeed a rare breed. An American of intelligence and some considerable knowledge of what is going on over here!
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Theresa
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| Quote: | | Theresa, you are indeed a rare breed. An American of intelligence and some considerable knowledge of what is going on over here! |
Thanks, Corby Boy - but my family and most of my friends consider me merely odd.
I've enjoyed gaining a more comprehensive knowledge about Scotland, even though my "specialty" is Wales. And I don't believe that "nationalism" has to be a dirty word. 
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