Op-Ed : The Scottish Independence Referendum

Allow me to preface this post by stating that although I realize that I had previously made a statement on this blog promoting the maintenance of Scottish dependence on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, I have since changing my position on the argument.

This post will be a response to Niall Ferguson's article published in the New York Times titled, "Scots Must Vote Nae." http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/opinion/scots-must-vote-nae.html
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By beginning the article through the discussion of the unity of England and Scotland, Ferguson successfully establishes credibility and provides some background knowledge that I myself, particularly did not previously know: the fact that the two nations were united as equals, unlike the nations of Wales and Northern Ireland (previously the entirety of Ireland).

Unfortunately, this is where the author's insight comes to a complete stop. Not only does he label the movement as encompassing "petty nationalism," he also attempts to cause inconsequential concern for the economic future of a fully autonomous Scotland by reflecting on what currency it would adopt. Scotland is an economic asset to Great Britain. After the 2008 financial crisis, Scotland's finances have been more prosperous than the rest of the United Kingdom's, with relatively higher revenues, lower spending, and smaller deficits. The Scots also have huge amounts of oil and potential for renewable energy. Whatever currency they would have chosen, Scottish prosperity would have been practically assured.

Something Ferguson failed to take into account was the fact that the "Yes" campaign promoted a Scotland full of hope and new opportunity while the "No" campaign simply favored maintaining tradition and an old, potentially obsolete, political dynamic.

Pictured above: the Union Jack which would have been drastically changed if Scottish independence had become a reality.

Considering the grand scheme of things beyond this article, I am satisfied with the results of the vote. It seems that the greater political entity of the United Kingdom will actually give Scotland more political autonomy based on statements by the Prime Minister David Cameron as well as other officials after the results were publicized. Although the results favored maintaining Scottish status in the United Kingdom, there was a significant amount of individuals who favored Scottish independence and the United Kingdom must have taken notice. This vote undoubtably perpetuated a growing cultural divide between the Scottish and the remainder of the UK which will need to be actively considered.

Overall, the referendum resulted in a "happy medium," promising the establishment of increased political freedoms for Scotland while maintaining one of the most powerful and influential political entities on Earth: the United Kingdom.