The appeal of nationalism in Scotland

"A Scotland apart could become a more aggressive competitor of Ireland's for foreign capital and labour, though the two countries may act more closely together politically in the Council of the Isles [popular name for the official British-Irish Council] or in the Council of the European Union", writes Michael O'Sullivan, author of 'Ireland and the Global Question'. "Ireland is the template that pro-independence politicians in Scotland point to when advocating a break with England. ... As a highly globalised country it has little control over its political economic environment, nor on the effects upon it from global financial markets or world events. At the same time Irish society is increasingly dominated by the spirit of the Celtic Tiger, to the extent that it is arguably less equal, free and fraternal. The way in which this trend transpires in the future may convince the Scots that they should be careful what they wish for."

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