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A lot of the seeming angst over Scottish independence seems ruled by a
sort of nationalist schematism.I find the purported 'left' arguments
for 'No' absolutely depressing, primarily because it is clear that the
Scottish secessionist dynamic is driven by a very keen rejection of
austerity and neoliberalism in the context of striving for something
better -- options open to debate.
It wasn't forgone that that would be its driver...but there you have it.
And the more Cameron and co intervene...the more that feature of
'Englishness' is exposed..Voting No! is voting for the status quo.

Aside from any number of possible theoretical arguments that could be
had, about nationalism and the bourgeois state, I'm wondering how the
unfolding Scottish experience relates to the question of Localism.
"Localism" has a core anarchism thread running through it --and
generally has been an abject failure despite its cooperative pretences
-- but I'm wondering if there's not a new localism in the mix?
Indeed if you strip the Scottish impetus of its nationalist rhetoric
aren't you getting a localised response to austerity?

Bernadette McAliskey hammers this point home ..and I think she has an
argument that warrants consideration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGddHDoOeno

My experience of Marxism and Marxists --post sixties anyway -- is that
they don't do 'local' very well at all. Indeed you can see the excuses
embedded for this failure in some of the left No! arguments over
Scottish independence.But go check your history books: a lot of
Marxian successes in the past were localised experiences, esp from
among ye olde Stalinist parties.

Here in Australia some of the Communist Party's major success in terms
of popular support occurred in regional areas.
I'm not saying I have a novel  POV nor am I offering a new template. I
am saying that we should watch the Scottish events with that aspect in
mind, rather than simply be blinkered by any coarse take on
nationalism.

dave riley
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