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Curiosity is a wonderful thing

Why do some countries want to be ruled by another ? Is the idea of Independence too out of the Ordinary for them ? Places like Scotland , Wales and Norther Ireland accept being ruled by London with no problem at all ? Please satisfy my curiosity
ArishMell · 70-79, M
Have you not noticed that that is a highly contentious issue, with many Scots and Welsh wanting independence?

The matter is different in Northern Ireland where the majority of the population want to remain part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with the rest generally wanting Ulster re-united with Eire.

The more enthusiastic Scots Nationalists used to waffle about " an independent Scotland within the EU" - the membership referendum results in Scotland favoured the UK staying in the EU; but there is no guarantee that an independent Scotland would be able to join it, or would not end up as nett contributors (as the UK was). You don't hear that call so much now, perhaps as a reaction to the awful mess in Northern Ireland thanks to the UK's and EU's mutual nightmare of geography hitting the EU's tangled protectionist regulations. In any case, I've wondered if they eventually spotted the irony in that slogan!

Whether those nations could thrive alone is another matter. I don't think they have thought through all the implications, particularly funding in entirety all their public services, transport systems, etc; forming their own currencies, tax, vehicle and driver licensing, welfare, etc. regimes, and joining or signing-to in their name, the [i]ninety [/i] or so international bodies and treaties in which the UK is involved.

Many Welsh and Scots do want to stay within the United Kingdom but there are nearly as many Scots who want independence. I don't know the ratio in Wales.

As far as I know there are no Northern Irish wanting that, but a sizeable minority do want Eire and Ulster to be one country - Eire - governed from Dublin, not Belfast.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@KALIS Oh, certainly. After all, history is made by humans, with all their strengths, weaknesses, wants, needs, thoughts (or lack thereof!), emotions.

With a common tendency to look at the immediate and superficial, not deeper consequences.

With no ability to foretell the future, beyond intelligent or unintelligent estimates of possible results and consequences.
KALIS · 41-45
@ArishMell its said that the victors write the history
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@KALIS It is, though true it really is, is hard to say. I have a suspicion that in recent years there seems to have a sort of collective guilt creeping in to many areas, so biasing what should be unbiased, in other ways.
Fluffybull · F
Scotland is not totally ruled by London. Also not all Scots are happy that they aren't totally independent.[image deleted]
KALIS · 41-45
@hartfire Thats my question exactly. Why do scotland not want independense from Britain. Are they scared of indy? Seems cowardly . Really. Every country want independense except the countries i mentioned. What a cowardly people
@KALIS
Ho hum.
1. not all Scots wish to be united with the UK. About 49% do want independence.
2. The USA is a confederation of 51 independent states. California alone is populous enough that if it separated it could easily survive independently in all senses. Would you call it cowardly for not seceding?
3. The European Union thrives better as an amalgamation of nation states. only the UK has ceded. Brexit was driven mainly by a popular aversion to the recent floods of refugees but was also intensely manipulated by political forces. Even now, the UK suffers from the economic hit of the separation.

Curiosity needs answering not just with info but with analytical thinking.

Do you really believe entire countries make choices purely based on emotions?

Usually it's the hard practical issues like survival and economics that tip the balance in decisions.
KALIS · 41-45
@hartfire I don't know about US states , but I do know that a country like scotland or wales cannot stand up to London and like being ruled by London. I just think it's more than Pathetic. Scotish Nationalism is just a bunch of peopel afraid to rule themselves
smiler2012 · 56-60
as a britis citizen scotland wales and northen ireland do have autonomy on things there own government and law making powers but are stiil part of the united kingdom [asgard]
KALIS · 41-45
@smiler2012 exactly. Independence is answerable only to the citizoens of the country. for instance Teresa May stopped a referendum in scotland because it suited her
smiler2012 · 56-60
@KALIS that is wrong if there is independence it shoud be exercised ptherwise democracy becomes an nonsense
KALIS · 41-45
@smiler2012 What I am saying is that Scotland , Wales and Northerern Ireland does not have independence . Thats all.Simple
Scotland and Northern Ireland have been constant strife over the desire for separation for centuries.
If you watch the international news regularly, you'll see the issues cycling around like seasons and weather.
The main reason for remaining united is economic. The smaller a country is, the less power it has in trade.
KALIS · 41-45
@hartfire But Scotland own all the north sea oil and gas , their size won't affect their economy. That's a false premise.
@KALIS Fossil fuels are on the way out, beginning to be replaced by renewables which are now cheaper, cleaner and more reliable when the system is properly designed.
KALIS · 41-45
@hartfire I think fossil fuel will be with us for at least 50 years more

 
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