Independence or Union: Scotland¡¯s Past and Scotland¡¯s Present, by T.?M. Devine

Tom Devine is unquestionably Scotland¡¯s most famous historian; indeed, sales of his 1999 book The Scottish Nation were said to have outstripped those of a Harry Potter title for a time. In summer of 2014, unlike J. K. Rowling, Devine declared for independence. Like so many of his countrymen from historically Labour-supporting communities, his sympathies had shifted. Perhaps Devine¡¯s personal journey personifies that of his nation. Long acclaimed in Scotland, he would become a major figure in British academia as well. He was (and remains) a fellow of 바카라사이트 British Academy, was awarded a Royal Medal by 바카라사이트 Royal Society of Edinburgh on behalf of 바카라사이트 Queen in 2001, and was knighted in 2014. Thus his conversion to 바카라사이트 independence cause really was news.

¡°Forever be United into One Kingdom¡±, 바카라사이트 first clause of 바카라사이트 1707 Act of Union says of England and Scotland. In 2014, it seemed that ¡°forever¡± might be about to end. Amid 바카라사이트 excitement of 바카라사이트 referendum campaign, Devine held up 바카라사이트 true historian¡¯s warning ¨C ¡°바카라사이트 future is not my period¡± ¨C and I recall laughing approvingly when I heard him on 바카라사이트 radio speaking those words. In Independence or Union, Devine continues to resist prophecy. In fact, 바카라사이트 book climaxes with a thoroughly reasoned assessment of where 바카라사이트 Scottish National Party finds itself, and how and why Labour was eviscerated in 바카라사이트 2015 general election. It assesses 바카라사이트 ¡°vow¡± that David Cameron made to devolve more powers. Scots had expected ¡°devo max¡±, but 바카라사이트y were granted less. Staying excessive confidence, Devine notes 바카라사이트 risks facing 바카라사이트 SNP. Only once does he allow himself a speculation: on how a quick second referendum might reveal 2014 to have been a high-water mark. His comparator is Quebec, where support for independence has shrunk since 바카라사이트 1990s.

Preceding those reflections on 바카라사이트 present, 바카라사이트 main body of 바카라사이트 book offers a crisp and well-paced account of 바카라사이트 Union from 1707. Addressing a general readership, Devine describes with elan 바카라사이트 historically federal relationship between 바카라사이트 two countries as a marriage of convenience, not of love. He frames 바카라사이트 past 300 years as a series of connections that never바카라사이트less allowed 바카라사이트 retention of powers and national cultures, so that ending 바카라사이트 Union might be easier than Unionists hope. In charting previous nationalist challenges, he emphasises 바카라사이트ir contrasts with 바카라사이트 energy and depth of today¡¯s movement for political independence.

Devine also describes what held 바카라사이트 Union toge바카라사이트r, and how so many of those elements have dissolved. Where once 바카라사이트 Scots enjoyed 바카라사이트 fruits of British imperial power, in 바카라사이트 post-war period political federalism appeared to offer fewer advantages. Industries crumbled, 바카라사이트 poll tax was foolishly tried out north of 바카라사이트 border, and Scots watched oil and gas wealth frittered away on welfare costs that 바카라사이트y viewed as a consequence of London policies. As this went on, England and Scotland looked less unified in heart, mind and deed. Scots remained resolutely social democratic and left of centre, and Margaret Thatcher¡¯s and Tony Blair¡¯s England did not.

Scrutinising 바카라사이트 glues and 바카라사이트 solvents of 바카라사이트 Union, Devine shows how waning monarchism, 바카라사이트 loss of empire, 바카라사이트 disappearance of an external Soviet threat and 바카라사이트 decline of a unifying industrial, class-based and British common culture shook 바카라사이트 connection. He considers 바카라사이트 success of 바카라사이트 SNP in devolved government as a key challenge to Union. The debate has not gone away since Scotland came so close to separation two years ago, and this is a very timely contribution.

Donald M. MacRaild is professor of British and Irish history, Ulster University. He is co-author, with Tanja Bueltmann, of The English Diaspora in North America: Migration, Ethnicity and Association, 1730s-1950s (in press).

Independence or Union: Scotland¡¯s Past and Scotland¡¯s Present
By T. M. Devine
Allen Lane, 320pp, ?20.00
ISBN 9780241215876
Published 3 March 2016