Independence for Scotland-Pt. 2

Part 2 - Understanding the "isms."

There are many "isms," involved but the five that we'll look at here, are:

1. Patriotism

2. Nationalism

3. Unionism

4. Seperatism

5. Racism

Patriotism - What it means

Patriotism or national pride is the feeling of love, devotion and sense of attachment to a homeland and alliance with other citizens who share the same sentiment.

This attachment can be a combination of many different feelings relating to one's own homeland, including ethnic, cultural, political or historical aspects. It encompasses a set of concepts closely related to nationalism.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being Patriotic and having a strong sense of National Pride.

As an example, I am Scottish and also consider myself to be British. I favour Scotland but I wouldn't turn my back on my sense of being British. I consider people from England, Wales and Northern Ireland to be equal to me and entitled to the same.

Nationalism - What it means

Nationalism is an idea and movement that promotes the interests of a particular nation (as in a group of people, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty (self-governance) over its homeland.

Nationalism holds that each nation should govern itself, free from outside interference (self-determination), that a nation is a natural and ideal basis for a polity and that the nation is the only rightful source of political power.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Nationalist. It's a perfectly normal and acceptable choice for those who have the freedom to make it.

As an example, I am not a Nationalist. This is my choice which is a product of my own practical life experiences. This in no way dilutes my feelings for Scotland. It does not make me, "an enemy of the state." It means that I recognise, respect and accept that we are part of a Union of countries.

It does not mean that I in any way deny the rights of anyone else to make their own free choice, or disrespect the choice they have made.

Unionism - What it means

Unionism in the United Kingdom, also referred to as British unionism, is a political ideology favouring the continued unity of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as one sovereign state, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Those who support the union are referred to as "Unionists." British unionism is closely associated with British nationalism, which asserts that the British are a nation and promotes the cultural unity of Britons in a definition of Britishness that may include people of English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish descent (those living in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain and historically the whole of Ireland when it was within the United Kingdom).

As with being a Nationalist, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Unionist. It is also a perfectly normal and acceptable choice for those who have the freedom to make it.

Seperatism - What it means

A common definition of separatism is that it is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group.

While it often refers to full political secession, separatist groups may seek nothing more than greater autonomy.

While some critics may equate separatism with religious segregation, racist segregation, or sexist segregation, most separatists argue that separation by choice may serve useful purposes and is not the same as government-enforced segregation.

It's important to keep an open mind about things which may appear alien or which don't sit well with you. If you close your mind to what is really going on around you, you close a channel of communication. The more you deny the existence of a group of people who want to be heard, the louder they will shout. There will of course be times when there is no reasoning to be had. In which case you have to do whatever you have to do.

Racism - What it means

Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to physical appearance and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another.

It may also mean prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against other people because they are of a different race or ethnicity.

Modern variants of racism are often based in social perceptions of biological differences between peoples. These views can take the form of social actions, practices or beliefs, or political systems in which different races are ranked as inherently superior or inferior to each other, based on presumed shared inheritable traits, abilities, or qualities

All of the "isms," play a part

The five topics above all come into play in Political Debate. It's important to understand them individually, and in context. Recognise them when they are relevant, when they are being combined, and how they are being used.

End of Part 2

Part 3 - Selling the vision of Scottish Independence