The recent Scottish referendum played a pivotal role in the Scottish economy, while many people believed the 300-year old union is no longer fit for purpose and is holding Scotland back others believed that Scotland cannot thrive without the UK and the economic and social problems caused by Independence would be disastrous. In this essay I will explore Scotland’s position in Europe and how whether obtaining independence would have been an advantage or disadvantage to Scotland. Traditionally, Scotland’s economy has always been dominated by heavy manufacturing; coal mining and its steel industries however in the recent years the extraction of North Sea oil has led to the rise of many petroleum industries this played a major factor in …show more content…
The EU operates as a single market and provides the member states with the opportunity to trade freely between each other. Currently the EU is facing a serious economic crisis; it is trapped in a cycle of low growth, falling income levels and rising unemployment. However, if Scotland achieved its independence they would have played a key role in ensuring the EU obtained some form of recovery. If Scotland was a member of the EU they would benefit from free movement of goods and services allowing Scotland to trade with other member states. As a result other member states would have access to Scotland’s oil reserves and would be able to reduce its dependency on importing oil from countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan who are all non- members and would be selling oil barrels at marginally higher prices. A fall in the level of imports would create a positive impact on the EU as it would help them reduce their trade deficits. Since the EU is Scotland’s main destination for international exports, the more trade taking place within the EU would also stimulate economic growth in Scotland, the below graph shows a possible outcome of what would happen to Scotland’s real GDP with the increase in trade between EU member states. AGGREGATE DEMAND= C+I+G+(X-M) Considering this formula suppose Scotland was an independent economy and a member of the EU the increase in trade of goods such as oil
On September 14th, 2014, the people of Scotland had the chance ‘of a lifetime’ to vote on whether they wanted Scotland to be an independent country or to stay part of the United Kingdom. As the ballot papers were being counted, thousands stayed up late waiting nervously to see the outcome. The Scots voted against being separated from the union and soon after it caused riots in Glasgow’s city center. To this day, Scotland hasn’t been the same, and the once friendly nation is now split into unionists and nationalists. Even though the majority vote was no to independence, still the people of Scotland and its party leaders are hoping for another shot at independence. So the question is, did the people make the right choice, or would Scotland be a more prosperous nation by standing alone? Scotland should be given the chance to function on its own without the influence of other countries. With an independent Scotland’s wealth and if it is controlled by the right political party. It has great potential that could benefit the Scottish people massively.
Within the United Kingdom, a recurring issue has been raised regarding the political position of Scotland and how the Scottish Parliament could better govern the country. To establish whether the quality of life could be improved for the Scottish people, key events, devolution, and the Scottish Parliament must be evaluated and analysed. The argument for greater power in decision making and the ability to implement change for the citizens of Scotland, has been central to Scottish politics for some time.
Originally Scotland had a very weak economy around 20 years ago but it has slowly strengthened every year since then. This has made people who are anti-independence and the UK admit that Scotland could survive on its own now with its improved economy (ASCHERSON, 2014). The economy is just one reason Scotland wants to break away. England lately has been making laws and policies that Scotland disagrees with. Also Scotland doesn’t feel as united with England and the rest of the UK as it once did. Slowly Scotland has been becoming more focused on their own country and not England or Great Britain as a whole.
This argument states that the two opponents give their speech to the public before the election in Scotland. In this argument analysis, one party focuses on the independence of the country for a better future and the other party argues to ensure more power in Scotland being a part of UK. Both of these two arguments are good arguments because both of them are valid and strong. The first argument for independence is weaker when compared to the second argument.
If Scotland is independent, it would have less influence in the world. The UK has a permanent place in the United Nations Security Council and is one of the largest member states in the European Union. Thus, anti-independence campaigners say an independent Scotland would inevitably hold less sway. They question whether an independent Scotland would be accepted into the Nato and say that its membership of the EU would only come with strict
Thesis: The outcome of the Scottish Independence Referendum was not the result of mere question of nationalism (pride) or the lack of thereof. It was highly influenced by the class division inside different areas of Scotland.
Bordered by both England and the Atlantic Sea, Scotland is home to the second largest city in the world. A major influence on Scottish culture comes from it’s nationalistic music.
Amongst the thick accents and the locks of ginger hair under a constant cover of rain lies a country wrapped in tartan and populated with the boisterous clans of the Scots. Throughout centuries Scotland has produced innovative ideas, accomplished writers and highly decorated athletes. The rolling hills and the multiple munros and the great depths of the lochs scattered around northern scotland all add to the natural beauty of the country. Even though the weather is bleak and miserable this just adds to the character of the place. Here in this land of vast beauty live the world's greatest people - the Scots!
most scottish people like, for much more healthy environments, and a better lifestyle, and were many skilled and hard working people could earn better and more money, and because there was not enough money paying with their jobs at the time,most families would struggle to feed and clothe their
The one the benefits, which the UK will receive from membership, are that it will be tax-free trading among the members. Free trade with other members at no additional taxation helps keep or lower prices of goods, services and food in these countries. In other words, it means that products which made in different parts of the union will cost the same amount in different its parts as firms will not pay to importing or exporting taxes. So demand for UK’s and EU’s goods and services will increase, as they will be cheaper. This means that consumer’s purchasing power will increase because they will be able to buy more things. The increase in demand will lead to increase in supply. In this case, producers will produce more and their productivity will be higher.
The United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union has been an hotly politicized and debated topic. There are many nuanced social and economic consequences of the Brexit vote, and many major news outlets in America have generalized and exaggerated the decisions as a disaster. The intent of this paper is to more closely examine the implications and repercussions of the Brexit vote and to determine if the UK will potentially be more positively affected by the change than commonly believed. Research pertaining to the EEA member Norway and its non-member status in the EU, the foreign direct investments in the UK, and on immigration patterns and benefits in the country allow for a more detailed understanding of the possible advantages to the Brexit vote. The research presented below will explicate the likely consequences of the UK emerging as a separate entity, absolved from the limitations and economic responsibilities of the EU, and how the topics of trade, immigration, the EEA, and FDI’s suggest that perhaps the UK stands to gain economically from the vote.
The EU (European Union) has become a formidable power through trade, hence creating more problems with the rest of the world. Occasionally its dominance has helped it manipulate its trading partners. Starting with regional labor standards to development policies, and internationally ranging from global governance to foreign policy (Marshall & Jaggers, 2010).This paper will mainly focus on the EU as a dominant trade block. A factor that has undoubtedly contributed to the many conflicts it has internationally. The analysis includes different but recent trade related conflicts the EU is involved in and points out the factors that led to the misunderstanding, and in some cases if there was a third party involved in the issue. The analysis also shows if a form of solution was reached or if the dispute was left unresolved, and the possible outcomes it had during the time of the confrontation. Lastly, it summarizes the main ideas of the paper and gives a comprehensive overview of the analysis.
Due to its dependence on the hydrocarbon sector, which generates about 40% of GDP and 97% of exports, Algier’s economy is strongly exposed to a fall in oil and gas prices. Moreover, export destinations are hardly diversified, as most exports go to the euro area.
The current international system is characterized by growth in globalization hence regional integration is becoming a common phenomenon in most parts of the world. As a result of states becoming more interconnected, most of them have opted for regional integration so as to enhance trade between states thus boosting economies of the states as well as the regions as a whole. Besides free trade, regional integration has seen to it the elimination of trade barriers, free movement of goods and people across borders, regional co-operation in issues to do with peace and security within the regions among various other benefits of regional integration. One of the regions that has grown as a result of regional integration is the European Union (EU), which is an economic and political partnership composed of 28 European countries. This paper will focus on the EU and give a theoretical analysis of the Brexit while giving lessons of integration and liberalization based on the Brexit.
Most studies on trade effects of EU policy yield a positive result for developing countries, however the broad consensus is that the benefits are at best marginal and short term in nature; that is to say, the growth of exports in a particular nation has been shown to be determined by that country's export supply conditions (degree of outward orientation in business strategy, bureaucratic constraints, activity of investors etc.). However it has also been shown that in those countries where export conditions were indeed favourable,