Deindustrialisation and the Moral Economy in Scotland Since 1955

Deindustrialisation in twentieth-century Scotland has had significant social, cultural, and political implications, with employment levels peaking in established sectors and the emergence of assembly goods manufacturing alongside the shrinkage of established sectors. This book explores the political economy of deindustrialisation with a sharp eye on cultural and social dimensions, revealing it as a more complex process than the customary body count of closures and job losses suggests. It also demonstrates that socioeconomic change was influenced by political agency.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Since the 1950s, when employment levels peaked in the established sectors of coal, shipbuilding, metals, and textiles, as well as the railways and docks, deindustrialization has been the defining feature of Scotland's economic, social, and political history. This book goes beyond outdated notions of economic decline and industrial catastrophe and instead examines the political economy of deindustrialization with a keen eye on the cultural and social dimensions that were not uniformly negative, as is frequently assumed. The book carefully reconstructs the impact of economic change on social class, gender relations, and political allegiances, including a reawakened sense of Scottish national identity, by viewing the long-term process of deindustrialization through a moral economy framework. In doing so, it reveals deindustrialization as a more complex process than the customary body count of closures and job losses suggests and demonstrates that socioeconomic change did not just happen, but was influenced by political agency.

The process of deindustrialization in twentieth-century Scotland was a protracted, multifaceted, and politicized phenomenon that had far-reaching social, cultural, and political consequences. This book explores the multifaceted nature of deindustrialization, examining it as a protracted, phased, and politicized process that unfolded over several decades. It draws on a diverse range of documentary sources, including materials from various industrial sectors, as well as exclusive interviews with industry professionals, to provide a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon.

One of the key themes that this book explores is the relationship between deindustrialization and Scottish Home Rule. The book argues that deindustrialization was a significant factor in the long-running debates about economic security and working-class welfare in Scotland. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Scotland experienced a rapid decline in its industrial base, with the closure of numerous coal mines, shipyards, and factories. This led to a significant loss of jobs and economic hardship for many workers, particularly in the urban areas.

The book also analyzes the longer history of deindustrialization, tracing the emergence of assembly goods manufacturing alongside the shrinkage of established sectors such as shipbuilding and steel production. This shift in the industrial landscape had profound implications for social class, gender relations, and political allegiances in Scotland. While some workers benefited from the growth of new industries, such as the electronics and pharmaceutical sectors, others were left behind, facing job insecurity and economic hardship.

Furthermore, this book examines the cultural and social dimensions of deindustrialization. While it is commonly assumed that deindustrialization was a negative process that led to economic decline and social unrest, the book argues that there were also positive outcomes. For example, deindustrialization led to a reawakening of Scottish national identity and a renewed interest in traditional culture and heritage. It also facilitated the growth of alternative economic sectors, such as tourism and renewable energy, which have contributed to Scotland's economic resilience in the twenty-first century.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of deindustrialization in twentieth-century Scotland. It explores the complex relationship between deindustrialization, Scottish Home Rule, and broader debates about economic security and working-class welfare. By examining the longer history of deindustrialization, the book demonstrates that socioeconomic change was not just a passive process driven by economic forces. Instead, it was influenced by a range of political, social, and cultural factors, including the emergence of new industries, the decline of established sectors, and the reawakening of Scottish national identity. This book will be of interest to scholars and researchers in the fields of history, politics, and economics, as well as anyone with an interest in Scotland's economic, social, and political development.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474479257