Alternatives For Governance 12M Flashcards
1
Q
‘Analyse the most effective way to govern Scotland.’ (12)
Issue of Democaracy
A
- One view about the most effective way to govern Scotland is that Scotland would benefit from being independent from the UK, particularly when considering the issue of democracy.
- This can be seen when looking at the Brexit referendum of 2016.
- Evidence of this is due to the fact that 62% of Scots who voted in the Brexit referendum voted to remain part of the European Union (EU), yet as a result of the British-wide nature of the referendum, Britain overall voted to leave the EU.
- However, the view of the governance of Scotland is that independence may not be the most effective way to govern Scotland when considered the issue of democracy and the current devolved settlement may be more beneficial.
- This can be seen when analysing recent surveys concerning Scottish independence as the country has almost split opinions of the issue of independence.
- Evidence of this is according to Statista in September 2023, only 53% of Scottish citizens want to go independent in comparison to the 47% who don’t want Scotland to be independent.
- Arguably, this shows that in terms of democracy, Scotland would be more effective as an independent country because then Scottish votes will be reflected in political decision making, additionally we would not be left in a situation where Scots are removed from the EU.
- The governance of Scotland is better under the current status quo as there is not a large difference in numbers in terms of those who want to go independent and those who don’t and therefore independence wouldn’t represent a large majority of Scotland’s views.
2
Q
Issue of economy
A
- One view about the most effective way to govern Scotland is that Scotland would benefit from being independent from the UK, particularly when considering the economy.
- This can be seen when looking at Westminster’s control of the Scottish taxation system.
- This is evident when examining the fact that Scotland has no power over corporation tax and VAT revenues, former financial secretary John Swinney stated that over a 10-year period Scotland would lose £3 billion due to the current status quo.
- However, Scotland being independent may not be the most effective way to govern the country and she may be better off economically under the current status quo, which is a more persuasive model in which Scotland should be governed.
- This can be seen when viewing the fact that Scotland now has some power over taxation since the 2016 Scotland Act.
- This is evident as in 2018 new Scottish Tax bands were introduced including an intermediate tax band between £24,000-£43,400 which helped people to pay fairer tax amounts.
- As a result of this 70% of Scots have payed less tax.
- Arguably, this clearly shows that it is effective to a certain extent to govern Scotland as an independent nation as they would have complete control over all tax raising powers such as VAT and it would allow the Scottish government to generate more income instead of being economically restricted as they currently are by Westminster.
- However, due to the decreased tax rates under the current status quo Scottish people have been granted fairer tax rates and therefore more money, thus showing that the current status quo is the the best option for the governance of Scotland.
3
Q
Issue of Defence
A
- One view about the most effective way to govern Scotland is that it should be independent, particularly when considering Defence.
- This can be seen as Scotland has no direct say in terms of Britain’s nuclear weapons.
- Evidence of this is that Britain’s nuclear weapons, Trident are held in Helensburgh and the SNP have created the slogan ‘Bairns not Bombs’ in 2016 and argue that money would be better spent on child poverty and education.
- However, many will argue that Scotland’s defence is better under the current status quo when it comes to defence.
- This is seen under the devolved settlement we are currently under.
- Evidence of this is NATO’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, stated that Scotland must reapply to join NATO if we were to leave the UK also that the Gower said, “Joining the nuclear alliance NATO on a political non-nuclear platform would be at best exceedingly difficult”.
- Arguably, this shows Scotland is better governed under the status quo in terms of defence as even though could be better off as an independent nation as they do not want to spend as much money on nuclear bombs and would rather invest in areas which are currently more in need, however, have no say in the matter as a result of it being a devolved power.
- However, Scotland is much better under the current status quo as staying interconnected would have a much greater power of defence with its partnership with NATO, and also have a much superior nuclear arsenal with the UK.
4
Q
Issue of Welfare
A
- One view about the governance of Scotland is that when considering the issue of welfare, Scotland would benefit from being independent.
- This can be seen when examining Westminster’s stringent control of welfare and social security.
- This is evident as Westminster has control of over 85% of social security spending as exemplified by Jonathan Bradshaw of the University of York who predicts that Westminster and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is expected to reduce spending by a total of £3.7 billion by 2021.
- However, it could be argued that independence is not the most effective way of governing Scotland and that she remains better off as part of the current status quo.
- This can be seen when examining the current devolved settlement and the current powers Scotland has in the areas of welfare and social security.
- This is evident, as shown by the fact Scotland, under the terms of the 2016 Scotland Act, currently has control over 11 benefits including Carers Allowance and Disability benefits, as well of social security spending.
- Arguably, this shows that the Scottish Government is better off governed under the current status quo even though they would not have to deal with a dominant Westminster and its significant autonomy over social security spending, adversely impacting the people of Scotland if they were independent.
- However, Scotland has been given extended power and control from the Scotland Act 2016 in terms of welfare and social security (not least for carers and those with disability), indicating that the current status quo is the most effective way to govern Scotland.
