The Road to Independence?: Scotland since the Sixties (Contemporary Worlds)

Independence has been a contested issue in Scotland since the region was first invaded by England in 1707, and the realm continues to linger in a no-man’s land between regional status and full sovereignty. The issue of independence has risen to the forefront of Scottish discussion in the past fifty years and Murray Pittock offers here an examination of modern Scottish nationalism and what it means for the United Kingdom. Pittock charts Scotland’s economic, cultural, and social histories, focusing on the history and cultural impact of Scottish cities and industries, the role of multiculturalism in contemporary Scottish society, and the upheaval of devolution, including the 2007 election of Scotland’s first nationalist government. From the architecture and art of Edinburgh and Glasgow to the Scottish Parliament, the book investigates every aspect of modern Scottish society to explain the striking rise of Scottish nationalism since 1960. The Road to Independence? reveals a new perspective on modern Scottish culture, making it an invaluable read for history scholars and lovers of Scotland alike. (20080308) Is the 'United' Kingdom really as united as its name suggests? For many people in the UK, increasing nationalism in Scotland has come as rather a shock, raising questions about what Britain is, and where its future lies. In "The Road to Independence? Scotland since the Sixties", Murray Pittock not only gives an account of modern Scottish nationalism, but also explains what Scotland's role in Britain has been historically, and why it has changed radically in the last fifty years where the debate about independence has come to the fore. The author relates the economic, social and cultural history of Scotland, the rise of modern Scottish nationalism and the reasons for it, the recent history and differing character of Scotland's cities and cultural industries, the impact of multiculturalism on Scottish as distinct from British society, and the changes wrought by devolution, including the reasons for the election of Scotland's first-ever nationalist government in 2007. "The Road to Independence?" is the only history of Scotland available with a truly contemporary focus. In dealing with everything from modern painting to political structures it is remarkably comprehensive; in explaining the rise of modern nationalism it is of great importance to policy-makers and the wider public. It will be of interest to students of politics, history, law and social science, and to all who want to understand the rapidly changing face of Britain In The Road To Independence? The Author Relates The Economic, Social And Cultural History Of Scotland Since 1960, The Rise Of Modern Scottish Nationalism And The Reasons For It, The Recent History And Differing Character Of Scotland's Cities And Cultural Industries, The Impact Of Multiculturalism On Scottish As Distinct From British Society And The Changes Wrought By Devolution, Including The Reasons For The Election Of Scotland's First-ever Nationalist Government In 2007. The Road To Independence? Is The Only History Of Scotland Available With A Truly Contemporary Focus. In Dealing With Everything From Modern Painting To Political Structures, It Is Remarkably Comprehensive; In Explaining The Rise Of Modern Nationalism It Is Of Fundamental Importance To Policymakers And The Wider Public. It Will Be Of Interest To Students Of Politics, History, Law And Social Science, And To All Who Want To Understand The Rapidly Changing Face Of Britain.--jacket. Why Scotland? -- Contacts And Corporatism: Scotland Since 1945 -- Scottish Politics And Identity -- Scotland's Cities: Populations, Cultures And Economies -- Cultural Independence? -- Who Are The New Scots? -- Devolving Or Declining? Government And Society In Scotland Since 1999. Murray Pittock. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 185-198) And Index.