Scottish Independence and the United Kingdom

Scottish Independence and the United Kingdom There are eight accepted criteria that determine whether an entity is an independent country or state. An entity need only fail on one of the eight criteria to fall short of the definition of an independent country. Scotland does not meet six of the eight criteria. Criteria Defining an Independent Country Heres how Scotland measures upon the criteria that define an independent country or state. Space  or  Territory  With  Internationally  Recognized  Boundaries Boundary  disputes are OK. Scotland does have internationally recognized boundaries and an area of 78,133 square kilometers. People  Live  There  on  an  Ongoing  Basis According to the 2001 census, Scotlands population is 5,062,011. Economic  Activity  and  an  Organized  Economy This also means a country  regulates  foreign  and  domestic  trade  and  issues money. Scotland certainly has economic activity and an organized economy; Scotland even has its own GDP (over 62 billion pounds sterling as of 1998). However, Scotland does not regulate foreign or domestic trade, and the Scottish Parliament is not authorized to do so. Under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Parliament is able to pass laws on a range of issues known as devolved issues. The United Kingdom Parliament is able to act on reserved issues. Reserved issues include a variety of economic issues: the fiscal, economic and monetary system; energy; common markets; and traditions. The Bank of Scotland does issue money, but it prints the British pound on behalf of the central government. The Power of Social Engineering, Such As Education The Scottish Parliament is able to control education, training, and social work (but not social security). However, this power was granted to Scotland by U.K. Parliament. Transportation System for Moving Goods and People Scotland itself has a transportation system, but the system is not fully under Scottish control. The Scottish Parliament controls some aspects of transportation, including the Scottish road network, bus policy, and ports and harbors, while the U.K. Parliament controls railways, transport safety,  and regulation. Again, Scotlands power was granted by the U.K. Parliament. Government That Provides Public Services and Police Power The Scottish Parliament has the ability to control law and home affairs (including most aspects of criminal and civil law, the prosecution system, and the courts) as well as the police and fire services. The U.K. Parliament controls defense and national security across the United Kingdom. Again, Scotlands power was granted to Scotland by the U.K. Parliament. Sovereignty: No Other State Has Power Over the Countrys Territory Scotland does not have sovereignty. The U.K. Parliament definitely has power over Scotlands territory. External  Recognition, Voted Into the Club by Other Countries Scotland does not have external recognition, nor does Scotland have its own embassies in other independent countries. The Verdict As you can see, Scotland is not an independent country or state, and neither are Wales, Northern Ireland, or England itself. However, Scotland is most certainly a nation of people living in an internal division of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.