The Heart of Nationalism

The first essay I wrote on Scottish Independence was my third year history project in 1997. "Should Scotland become Independent?" or some such was the title if memory serves. No to Independence but Yes to Devolution I believe was my conclusion. And so far so good. 

So here we are all 'devolved' and yet being governed overall by a party and PM we had no real part in electing and those we did choose are still harping on about Independence.  I wrote that first essay against the background of those northerly isles of Orkney, a backdrop vastly different in political profile to the SNP heartland of Perthshire where I now live. So will I vote with the 'distrusting of the central belt' North or trust local golden boy and once party leader John Swinney? What solutions I wonder would my 15 yr old self come up with now?

Honestly I'm not sure. If the referendum were tomorrow I'm not sure which way I'd be voting. It does feel a little head v heart. Which is I think the problem facing the SNP Yes campaign. Because with Nationalism it really needs to be all heart. Recent polls show that although support for the Yes campaign is dipping that, if people found themselves even £500 a year better off they would vote with the SNP. Some even went so far as to say if their finances remained the same they would vote Yes. It's this second group that I think conform to traditional features of a nationalism agenda; engaging with the broader picture, putting their identity as Independent Scots above economics and yes voting with their heart. However as Andrew Smith, in the Huffington Post, points out it is probably the first group who will hold the key to success. This is how he puts it "In order to win they need to listen to people's concerns, no matter how trivial they seem, and focus as much on 'bread and butter' issues as grand narratives. In addition, the economic case for independence has to be articulated as something more than just an anti Tory vote."*

 

Wars of nationalism or peaceful campaigns as we see now are rarely fought and won on economic policy. It's true that in order to gain support the SNP will have to come up with some concrete and clearly understood answers to the economic questions being currently posed. I will try to come back to this at a later stage. However, I just dont think that when it comes time to go to the polling station that fiscal policy will be what makes me or anyone else of voting age (including those under 18 for I believe the first time in the UK in modern elections??) tick one box or another. In that moment the images we reflect upon will be our history, our identity and our 'nation' which ever way we imagine that to be. This romantic journey is often the basis of nationalism and where it all begins - 'imagining' and creating the collective memory through language, history and yes nowadays media. This romanticism is criticised by Tom Gallagher in his article "The Rapid and Unlikely Rise of Scotland's Independence Movement" saying "the freedom journey has enjoyed success in a febrile atmosphere of poor-quality media". Bit harsh Tom some people like 'River City' and 'Nina and the Neurons'.

 

Mr Gallagher (writer(decent)lecturer(poor)and previous tutor(very poor) of yours truly) who has written widely on various births of European nations is apparently quite well known for being anti Mr Alex Salmond, whom he calls machiavellian in this article. This is all quite amusing but doesn't really bring us further forward in the debate. Do I trust Mr Salmond? no not as far as I could throw him, but I do l like his tenacity and ability to stand up to Westminster.

 

The other element to consider here is timing. 2014 is just on the outer wave of the coalition government - their future is very much unknown. Should Cameron still have strong support south then Salmond will be able to garner voters with anti-conservative feeling. But the unpopularity of the coalition is based on the current economic instability and this is the big stumbling block for the Yes campaign. They cannot answer your questions about pensions, and sharing the country's debt, or whether Oil will be sufficient to launch this nation proudly into world's market. At least not the answers you want to hear.

 

Ultimately Mr Salmond's job is about capturing your imagination, fuelling your heart and stirring up any patriotic pride you might have. I disagree with Tom Gallagher I actually think they have used the media effectively and subtly. Yet again timing has been against them with 2012 being the biggest year for the Union in some time. Even Olympics can be forgotten though and 2014 is still 2 years of saltire waving, gaelic speaking, Westminster bashing and beautiful island images away!

 

NB: I will try to do another blog looking at the ins and outs of the process and economics and withhold the right to totally change my opinion several times ;)

 

P.S As always please do add to my muddled thoughts!

 

 

* Reading Between the Polls; Building a Majority For Scottish Independence
Andrew Smith| 24 Oct, 2012 08:50 PM BST Huffington Post

Conversation Countdown

So i wrote something along these lines in my facebook status. And it got me onto this blog writing thing as it was perhaps a little heavy for a status update. Certainly not my usual 'strictly' updates or menu options! But what I really wanted to get at was a conversation I wanted to have with every American everyday until election day (Tues Nov 6th). A conversation about the responsibility and influence most probably don't even know they have.

I wanted to say I understand that the current economic climate is tough and that it appears to be getting worse. I know that during these times it's hard to see past the numbers. But to please look at the big picture and the end game..

I still want to say it and to encourage you all and yes even y'all to please think very hard before you vote for anyone else except Obama. Because economic seasons are just that; seasons, they rise and fall, they dip and peak. What matters is how you journey through them, who steers the course and ultimately what kind of nation you wish to be at the end.

Here in the UK 'we' chose to say goodbye to a brilliant economist and good politician because we associated him too closely with a government in charge during this downturn. People were swayed by tough talk, tv debates and numbers. And now... 'we' watch as social structures are taken down in the name of figures, promises are of course forgotten, the vulnerable are left to the side and we all cling to this thing called 'business'. I realise that since my first outburst along these lines employment does seem to be rising and we are apparently avoiding a double dip. Which I'm really hoping is the case because we are going to need every penny to rebuild the NHS, Universities and social care structures when we finally boot Cameron and his cronies out.

Please be careful - nations are not corporations. They are families, they are dreams, they are histories and they are people. If you have someone with dignity, grace and wisdom please be cautious what you trade this in for. You are voting for more than yourself, or even your local business - as important as that is- you are voting for the community that hasn't been bombed, the minority that hasn't been excluded and for the image of America as seen from many miles away.

More than this though, I think over the last weeks of campaigning and debates I have realised just how divided America seems. I think the biggest failure or perhaps dream lost from the previous 4 years of the Obama administration was the loss of unity of a nation driven by and for 'Change'. Perhaps it was a little too much to hope for, that one nation really could be indivisible under God. However, it has saddened me as a great lover of its people, mountains, malls and skies to see yet again the manner with which America conducts herself during Elections. Abusive language on sites like Instagram, Facebook and the like, the tv ads etc and even the candidates presentation of themselves and the issues during the debates. Hey I'm not saying we are necessarily any better. I have no idea how the UK is viewed during general elections(please do comment) - my guess is we are not viewed at all and that like at home our political spectrum is unfortunately of little interest. But despite my opposition to the PM and my scepticism of its outcomes I am proud we have a coalition government and even more proud of Scotland's burgeoning profile as user of Proportional Representation.

Would it not be worth fighting for more equal representation and diversity in the smaller parties in the US? Do you still feel a presidential model is working when you seem to have such little respect for your Presidents? Are you willing to look beyond isolationism for the good of others?

All things Poli Sci

I remember one of my first ever politics lecturers saying we were scientists. I wasn't particularly impressed as I didn't see the connection and had never done well in science. But since marrying my science and technology obsessed husband I am becoming increasingly dragged into that once unknown realm. And it is certainly quite fun to think of oneself as a political scientist. Indeed I can now see not only where the sphere of science (think weapons, oil, food technology to name but a few) directly cross over into 'politics' but also how the theory, strategy and art of politics is a science. It's a constantly changing, exciting, exploratory realm. Theories need to be tested, it is a living breathing thing and is also hopefully at least some of the time working towards an improvement in the human condition.

 

This will be another short entry as I'm still trying to figure this whole blog thing out, but also because it is not my aim to write neverending rambles but to leave you with thoughts, questions and articles to read etc. I'm hoping for some discussion but mainly for the chance to research and expound theories I think have merit, open up angles on current situations and hopefully strengthen my only political views!

 

Like many of you I am concerned about the upcoming US elections, the role that tv debates play in a voter's choice, the 2014 referendum on Independence for Scotland and a bunch of other stuff like how 'religion' is manipulated and misunderstood in the political arena.

 

Before launching into any of these and in keeping with debates theme I will leave you in the far more capable hands of Jed and Abigail Bartlett :)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyqzPu5pX6U

 

 

 

Hey!

The old saying goes; never talk about politics and religion. But I have hardly managed to stay away from either for a day in my life. One the pleasure and one the purpose? Perhaps. But both equally significant, captivating, completely mundane (in the wrong hands) and things that will no doubt take up most of the rest of my days. So please join in with thoughts, articles and musings. If you're racist, ignorant or generally stupid feel free to open your mind and be educated but please don't try to spread your hatred here.