The last two ’stories’…

Posted on | September 27, 2006 | 1 Comment

The last two of Scotland’s ’stories’ according to Gerry Hassan:

Unionist Scotland – this stresses the benefits of the Union, and in its modern version emphasises the degree to which Scotland is subsidised by the rest of the UK. It also still draws on an older argument, questioning the capacity of Scots to govern themselves.

Nationalist Scotland – this rests on the “Scotland Why Not?” argument which is centred on the premise that Scotland is a nation, therefore it follows logically it should be independent. Another more apolitical nationalism can be found across the political spectrum. As Scottish identity has become more pronounced it has celebrated a negative story – of who we are not, ie: “we”re not English”, and a sense of anti-Englishness.

I don’t necessarily agree or disagree with any or all of these elements of the Scottish myth, but I do agree with Hassan that some elements of them at least play an important role in shaping our perception of ourselves – and that brings me to an additional mythic element that I would add to his eleven – a strange combination of self-obsession and the ability not to take ourselves too seriously!!

Technorati Tags: scotland, myth, demos, gerry hassan, unionism, nationalism, self-obsession