An Analysis of Scottish National Movement in the Context of Social Capital

Sub-state nationalist movements, which have gained considerable momentum since the 1990s, continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of contemporary Europe. These movements challenge the traditional frameworks of nation-states by advocating for greater autonomy, and in some cases, complete independence. Among the most prominent and influential of these are the nationalist movements in Scotland and Catalonia, both of which have drawn widespread attention due to their organized political efforts and their ability to mobilize significant portions of the population in support of independence or enhanced self-government. However, these are not isolated cases; less prominent but still persistent nationalist movements, such as those in Corsica, Flanders, and South Tyrol, also contribute to the broader trend of sub-state nationalism.

The scope of this study is defined by the Scottish national movement, which is one of the two case studies in my doctoral research. Although the Scottish national movement began gaining strength in the second half of the 20th century, it entered a new phase following the 1997 Devolution, at which point independence discourses gained momentum, leading to shifts in the movement’s rhetoric. The completion of the long-debated issue of home rule, which had been a topic of discussion since the late 19th century, culminated in the establishment of a Scottish Parliament in 1997, and the subsequent transition to full independence rhetoric is crucial for analyzing these changes in discourse within the Scottish national movement. In this analysis, Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of social capital will be the focal point, with particular attention paid to how the shifts in discourse—especially within the Scottish National Party (SNP)—have influenced both the content of the movement and the habitus of the society. Interviews conducted with Scottish politicians and political figures, particularly SNP politicians, will serve as primary sources for this study.