Scottish and Welsh Nationalist Movements: Their Components, Rise and Consequences For the British Government

Date
1999
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of Political Science
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Haverford users only
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
Nationalism is a powerful political force; it has been the chief political motivator in the "Celtic" regions of Great Britain; Scotland and Wales. The definition of nationalism explains that there are two primary types: civic and ethnic. An ethnic nationalist movement formed in Wales, which traditionally has focused its attention on the preservation of the Welsh culture and language. However, in Scotland, the nationalist movement has taken on civic connotations, due to its emphasis on the importance of the rights of the Scottish people as citizens of an historic homeland that, for centuries, claimed its own statehood. Nationalism in Scotland and in Wales was initially seen in the policies of rising nationalist organizations and is presently found in the doctrines of significant political parties. These nationalist movements have transformed from their fledgling social manifestation to be influential and powerful political forces in British government. The most recent and dramatic success of the nationalist movements has been the institutionalization of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. These two governmental bodies possess several devolved powers taken from the Westminster government. The Parliament and Assembly will give Scotland and Wales a form of governmental autonomy and self-determination that the nationalist movements have been campaigning for since their inception. These administrations will significantly alter the shape of British government by paving the way for further Westminster reforms and for further nationalist successes, such as the quest for independence and further integration into Europe.
Description
Citation