A remarkable series of events in Scotland mean that Scottish Nationalism has never been closer to realising its goal of splitting the island of Britain in two. If it succeeds, a territorial union which has been an anchor of stability in Western Europe and a durable influence much further afield will be no more. As for Scotland, its ageing post-industrial population will confront sharp economic challenges in a post-British state. Yet a giddy, risk-taking mood prevails. Populists like Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon enjoy celebrity status for their skill in whipping up grievances even though London allows Scotland internal self-government on generous financial terms. The rowdy street agitation of 2014-15 may seem immature and parochial. But Scotland is in the vanguard of a new upsurge in identity politics which is also rocking many other parts of the West. Figures who were confined to the political fringes in calmer times have exploited shifts in culture and social behaviour so as to create a climate of revolt which has left political elites reeling. How political giant-killers altered the landscape of British politics is a fascinating story. But Scotland Now: A Warning to the World also argues that other states as outwardly cohesive as Britain, are vulnerable to challenges from populist able to surf the wave of identity politics.
The Kindle edition of the Book has a 12,000 word additional chapter describing the impact that the Brexit referendum vote, the election of Donald Trump in the USA, policy failures, scandals and the loss of the SNP’s parliamentary majority in Edinburgh have had on the prospects for independence.
Advance praise:'
"From the 2014 Independence Referendum till the present day, local media and commentators have increasingly sung from the same hymn-sheet, sublimating mediocrity and parochialism into the new Scottish 'normal'. Counter-assessments of Scotland's plight are more marginalised and smothered than ever before, so it is refreshing, as well as imperative, to hear Professor Gallagher's warnings anew.'
Sir James MacMillan
'
“This is a tremendously informative, racily-written assault by a bare-knuckle fighter on the wishful thinking, obfuscation, empty rhetoric, puritanical moralising, emotionalism, administrative incompetence, anti-reformism and avoidance of honest debate that he sees in the SNP. Mrs Sturgeon and her tiny centralising circle will hate it.'
Ruth Dudley Edwards
The Kindle edition of the Book has a 12,000 word additional chapter describing the impact that the Brexit referendum vote, the election of Donald Trump in the USA, policy failures, scandals and the loss of the SNP’s parliamentary majority in Edinburgh have had on the prospects for independence.
Advance praise:'
"From the 2014 Independence Referendum till the present day, local media and commentators have increasingly sung from the same hymn-sheet, sublimating mediocrity and parochialism into the new Scottish 'normal'. Counter-assessments of Scotland's plight are more marginalised and smothered than ever before, so it is refreshing, as well as imperative, to hear Professor Gallagher's warnings anew.'
Sir James MacMillan
'
“This is a tremendously informative, racily-written assault by a bare-knuckle fighter on the wishful thinking, obfuscation, empty rhetoric, puritanical moralising, emotionalism, administrative incompetence, anti-reformism and avoidance of honest debate that he sees in the SNP. Mrs Sturgeon and her tiny centralising circle will hate it.'
Ruth Dudley Edwards
