Independence of the Scottish Mind : Elite Narratives, Public Spaces and the Making of a Modern Nation

This study explores modern Scotland and examines how Scottish politics, culture and identities have interacted within the national and international contexts in the last thirty years. It considers which voices and opinions have proven influential and defining and charts the boundaries of public conversation to and beyond the independence referendum. This study explores modern Scotland and examines how Scottish politics, culture and identities have interacted within the national and international contexts in the last 30 years. It considers which voices and opinions have proven influential and defining, and it charts the boundaries of public conversation to and beyond the independence referendum. This book locates contemporary debates on Scottish self-government in an analysis of the long term historic development of Scottish autonomy and difference. Based on extensive interviews with leading members of the Scottish political commentariat, it applies the idea of "elite narratives" to articulate how ideas and debate can slowly shift and frame public opinion. It draws on ideas of the construction of the near-past, folklore, collective memories, power, voice and space, to bring together an original contribution to politics, media and the dynamics of public debate This Study Explores Modern Scotland And Examines How Scottish Politics, Culture And Identities Have Interacted Within The National And International Contexts In The Last Thirty Years. It Considers Which Voices And Opinions Have Proven Influential And Defining, And Charts The Boundaries Of Public Conversation To And Beyond The Independence Referendum. This Book Locates Contemporary Debates On Scottish Self-government In An Analysis Of The Long Term Historic Development Of Scottish Autonomy And Difference. Based On Extensive Interviews With Leading Members Of The Scottish Political Commentariat, It Applies The Idea Of 'elite Narratives' To Articulate How Ideas And Debate Can Slowly Shift And Frame Public Opinion. It Draws On Ideas Of The Construction Of The Near-past, Folklore, Collective Memories, Power, Voice And Space, To Bring Together An Original Contribution To Politics, Media And The Dynamics Of Public Debate-- Machine Generated Contents Note: -- Introduction: The Scottish Debate And The Crises Of Britain -- Part I: The Long Revolution -- 1. Investigating Scotland's Public Life, Sphere And Voices -- 2. Understanding Scotland: Nationhood And The Claim Of Sovereignties -- 3. Power: Political And Media Dimensions -- 4. Scotland's Public Spaces And The Myth Of 'civic Scotland' -- 5. The Scottish Media: Continuity, Change, Crisis -- Part Ii: Stories Of Modern Scotland -- 6. The Scottish Political Commentariat -- 7. Restless Nation: Thatcherism's As Scotland's 'other' -- 8. The Scottish Parliament, Devolution And A New Political Landscape -- 9. The Boundaries And Bandwidths Of Public Scotland -- 10. A Very Different Assembly? Gender, Ethnicity, Class And National Identity -- 11. Anatomy Of Modern Scotland: Spaces And Places -- 12. Political And Cultural Elite Battles And The 'children Of The Echo' -- 13. Post-nationalist Scotland, Post-nationalist Uk? -- 14. State Of Independence. Gerry Hassan, University Of The West Of Scotland, Uk. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Review: 'This is an extraordinarily important and ambitious book for a historic moment in British history. Fearmongering aside, few are addressing the deeper issues. Gerry Hassan is the leading exception. He has been arguing regularly that much deeper and more interesting forces are at work. His analysis of them in this book will stand as an exemplary exploration for all those interested in their own national questions and the nature of 'self-determination' in the era of 'globalisation', wherever they may be.' - Anthony Barnett, founder Director, Charter 88 and co-founder, Open Democracy 'Gerry Hassan is an original thinker, myth-slayer and scholar with a healthy disregard for disciplinary boundaries who brings each of these facets to this highly original and challenging book. The book covers a subject that is familiar but in unfamiliar and challenging ways. It will make uncomfortable reading for some and challenge assumptions of many more. It is refreshing and necessary.' - Prof. James Mitchell, Department of Politics, University of Edinburgh, UK 'This is one of the subtlest and most deeply-researched accounts of the Scottish public intellectual in the modern era. Gerry Hassan's reputation speaks for itself to anyone even tangentially interested in the field, and he has established himself as a leading commentator on Scottish affairs over a number of years.' - Prof. Michael Gardiner, Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies, University of Warwick, UK