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An Essay on Modernity; The Scottish Independence Referendum
Topic Started: 7 May 2015, 04:56 (123 Views)
Eilean Albannach
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"Bothered to vote"
[ * ]
Hey all,

I'm an architecture student, and for our Cultural Studies class, we've been tasked on writing an essay on what we would classify as "modern". I decided to discuss the events of last year on my country, when Scotland went to the polls to decide on its independence, and the effect this had on the population, titling it "The Scottish Independence Referendum, its Effect on Scottish Culture, and the Rise of the Left in Scottish Politics" (an intentional mouthful).

If anyone's interested, feel free to have a look at the file in the attachment. My deadline is tomorrow, so chances are I won't have time to make any changes, but if this is something that interests you, feel free to have a read.
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Attachments: Independence.docx (41.58 KB)
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Jack Steiner
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Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Just to point out by the way (post election), I wouldn't say a bourgeois party like the SNP getting 50% of the vote shows a rise of the left. The SNP did speak left, and many on the left supported the SNP, but to describe this as a rise in the left in Scotland is oversimplifying for the reason's I just mentioned. Also, its worth pointing out that whilst the SNP were officially anti-austerity, in practice, they did not spend extra money on the NHS, and made cuts to colleges. Moreover, as far as I'm aware, the Scottish greens and the Scottish Socialist Party didn't gain many members, in the end the only party to gain from the relationship was the SNP, whom did massively increase their membership, the SSP did not, and deservedly so given their cross class, opportunist alliance with the nationalists. Further, you say socialist and left-wing policies were no longer taboo, but the SNP never argued for socialism, unless you think nationalisation equals socialism, such a Lassallean approach is not socialism, nor is supporting NATO, nationalism and retaining the Queen as head of state socialist either.

I also reject your belief that the people were empowered, sure there was that perception for people, but referendums are blunt tools, they oversimplify the arguments and shoehorn people into giving away their power the the people who set the question, because with just two options, those who want something else are ignored in a take it or leave it black and white question of yes and no, thus devo-maxers were left wanting their views put forward. Of course then the concession of devo-max for those voting no was put forward, thus distorting what people were voting for. In other words, did those voting no want devo-max or were they in support of the status quo? And did those voting yes, just vote yes because of the Tory run Westminster? Those questions go unanswered, because, as with most referendum's they're crude instruments that give the illusion of democracy, thus, it is little wonder that Bonaparte used them to his advantage.
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Jerry Frost
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"Citizen"
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Unfortunately the deadline is over but I can´t help supporting you with the statement that is is better to live the problem you want to describe from the close distance. I mean that if you investigate your society, some additional resource that is exactly the onsite opportunities is presented, maybe it is not to be noticed at the first sight but it does not mean it is less available, helpful or important. So my opinion is you did right to go ahead with discussing the problem of your country and since the professional approach should remain professional it´s always good to feel yourself supported by people who know, I mean https://domypapers.com
Edited by Jerry Frost, 25 May 2015, 15:35.
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