Scotland's Choices: The Referendum and What Happens After it Paperback – Import, 1 May 2013

This book gives a detailed description of the problems of choice on the economic side but little on the motivations and reasons for the wish to devolve and become independent; in short, the psychological aspect. The description of economic difficulties is detailed and somewhat boring. The book poses more questions than answers but, in summary, is worth reading.

Essential reading maybe, but hard going, packed as it is with facts and statistics. The authors are careful not to come down either for the Union or Independence, remaining clinically detached in their analysis. The complexities of dissociation from rUK are so great that they alone would seem reason enough for staying united, and one option if the Yes vote succeeds, that of staying within a Sterling currency union, has already been removed. McLean et al also make it clear that whichever way the vote goes years of negotiation lie ahead either in detaching the two economies, or implementing futher devolution as recommended by the Calman Commission and set out in the Scotland Act 2012. But were the vote for independence to be NO, it seems clear that the Nationaists will hardly pack their bags and go away, but would be in the comfortable position of claiming the credit for future success on themselves and the blame for future mistakes on the Unionists; and biding their time for another bid.Hard headed analysis,as set out here suggests the right option is No to independence, but we're not bloodless automata and there's centuries of emotional baggage in the relationship between the two countries. So perhaps better to say Yes and then the issue is finally out of the way, once ways and means are finally agreed, and the two countries will go on much as they have always done but in a more friendly and equable way.

今年、独立をめぐる住民投票を控えているスコットランド。スコットランドがイギリスから独立するとなった場合、どのようなことが起こり得るのか。様々な観点から、独立後の可能性と課題が論じられている。最終的に議論は税制に関する観点と代表性に関する観点に収斂されていく。特に、ヨーロッパにおいては、EUの存在が大きく、スコットランドがイギリスから独立を果たした場合、スコットランドだけではなく、イギリスも代表性にもかかわるため、事は難しくなる。その他、軍事的な問題なども絡み、さらには北海油田の権益の問題もある。どうやら独立については賛成派の方が少ないようだが、この本にも書かれているような課題を乗り越えていけるのか否か。日本ではあまり報じられることもないが、推移が気になるところである。

A brilliantly informative book about the pros and cons of independence for Scotland. The authors clearly and analytically set out what would happen and what needs to happen for Scottish independence to occur. There is no bias in the book one way or the other, just the facts. When you have read it, every utterance of a politician can be listened to and opined upon from a rational point of view, and i have to say its makes what pro independence politicians say very hard to believe.My conclusion is that every one who votes in Scotland should read it, sadly 99.99% of them will not and will go the ballot box ill informed to make their vote on the most important occasion in their lives. Alex Salmond should read it as well.

The upcoming Scottish independence referendum next year will have profound implications for Scotland and the UK as a whole. Up to now the debate from both sides has been negative and a strategy very much of attack the opposing side. This book attempts to break through that barrier and offer a comprehensive analysis of what awaits Scotland if it votes for independence or if the people of Scotland decide to remain as part of the UK. In truth, there is little in the way of certainty of what a vote for independence would mean as it would rely heavily on negotiations with the UK government on crucial issues such as currency.A number of issues are touched upon in the book and particularly interesting are the chapters on oil and on welfare within the UK and the alternative, from a nationalist standpoint. I would use the book as a guide certainly and it does remain balanced throughout which is refreshing and adds to the value of the book. I would read further around the subject if you want to gain a better overview, because this doesn't tend to go into too much detail. Which is understandable and is one of the overriding purposes which is for the book to be readable.Perhaps, Scotland's Choices is best viewed as part of a wider collection. I would recommend the book, but to get a more detailed understanding I would recommend additional reading.