The Scottish Economy and Nationalism: Constructing Scotland's Imagined Economy

The book explores the political meaning of the Scottish economy, examining how it has been framed in statistical and policy terms and the influence of factors such as North Sea oil, globalization, class dealignment, and neoliberal enterprise ideology. It offers insights into how nationalists are adapting to the crisis of globalization.

Format: Hardback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The ability of Scotland to thrive independently of Britain has emerged as a pivotal political concern, shaping the outcome of the 2014 independence referendum and exerting a lasting influence on British politics. However, as this insightful book reveals, the Scottish economy extends beyond mere statistics; it is a multifaceted concept that encompasses political, sociological, and cultural dimensions.

The book delves into the historical narrative of how Scotland has been portrayed in statistical and policy terms, often laden with conflicting interpretations. These interpretations range from class conflicts and resistance against external control to the ongoing debate surrounding national independence. By using Scotland as a case study, the book examines the political significance of the economy, exploring the origins of efforts to measure the Scottish economy within the framework of British nationalist regional policy.

Furthermore, the book explores the profound influence of factors such as North Sea oil, globalization/Europeanization, class realignment, and neoliberal enterprise ideology on the evolving meanings associated with the Scottish economy. These factors constitute crucial preconditions for the ongoing debate on national independence, as the nature and future of the Scottish economy remain the central focal point.

By examining the economic ideas of a self-proclaimed cosmopolitan nationalist movement, the study provides valuable insights into how nationalists are adapting to the challenges posed by globalization. This book constitutes a substantial contribution to the literature on Scottish independence, economic sociology, nationalism, critical geography, and political economy in general.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032381732