Posted: 9/13/2014 Updated: 9/14/2014
If History Is Any Guide
The Scots are an ancient and proud, independent people that even the Romans could not defeat like the Germans beyond the famous Limes Germanicus border.
Just one example, although it happened after the establishment of the Union, the Scottish Enlightenment and Adam Smith are such unique contributions to human civilization.
Why should the Scots not join such successful countries like Iceland or Denmark or Switzerland or Hong Kong or Singapore?
The Declaration of Arbroath Of 1320 AD
Thanks to the excellent and recent BBC series on Scottish history narrated by Neil Oliver I have for the first time learnt among many other things about this declaration. It foreshadows in tone and wording the U.S. Declaration of Independence of 1776.
From the Wikipedia article on this declaration (emphasis added):
“The most widely known English language translation was made by Sir James Fergusson, formerly Keeper of the Records of Scotland, … One passage in particular is often quoted from the Fergusson translation:
...for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
Winston Churchill On Scotland
Among others, the wall street journal had a banner in their U.S. weekend print edition of 9/13/2014 in the review section quoting Churchill as saying (emphasis added):
“Of all the small nations on this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.”
Unfortunately, you find this quote many times on the Internet and it was apparently also quoted in a number of books, but without any proper attribution. This is sloppy!
BBC Blocks YouTube Content Related To Scotland
Today (9/14/2014), I noticed that one of the YouTube sources for the excellent BBC 10 part series on Scottish history narrated by Neil Oliver has been blocked, although I was able to watch it just a week or two weeks ago. The message reads “This video contains content from BBC Worldwide, who has blocked it on copyright grounds” (Here is the link to Episode no. 6).
Is this just pure coincidence or was this intentionally done just before the vote for independence given that Neil Oliver was telling a compelling story about Scottish yearning for independence and freedom.
More Competition - More Human Progress
More and smaller states promote competition of ideas and better government. People have more choices to vote with their feet and so on.
Smaller states would join other states whenever it is suitable e.g. for currency union or for defensive purpose etc.
Small Is Beautiful
Following centuries of ever larger empire and nation building and ever increasing centralisation of government power it is time to try the reverse again. Were not the city states of Greece and Italy great examples of human development (if you abstract from the warfare between them).
Would it be so terrible if other European regions (e.g. Basques, Catalonia, Bavaria) would also seek their independence if the people so choose? I do not think so!
Let’s not forget any small independent nation is free to join any other again etc. This is not a one way street.
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