CHANGES IN SCOTTISH NATIONALISM OFFER BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGING EUROPEAN IDENTITY, RESEARCHER FINDS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A University of Arkansas researcher has examined different forms of nationalism in Scotland and created a four-part model for nationalism that characterizes both the unity of the European Union and the individuality of its constituents.

Fiona Davidson, professor of geosciences, has been following the shifting tides of political parties in Scotland, and the rise of an independent Scottish legislature that makes decisions for Scotland on the home front.

"We're seeing the wave of the future," said Davidson. "This is the last gasp of colonial extension." With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the less dramatic but no less real disintegration of the British Empire, the core nations (English and Russian) of these countries must ask themselves what they are if not British or Soviet. Until recently, this state nationalism dominated Europe, and it characterizes the first aspect of Davidson's four-part model.

The second type of nationalism that dominates the scene in Europe, ethnic nationalism, has served as the basis of many bloody conflicts, including strife in Northern Ireland, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Basque separatists. Davidson said that many geopolitical analysts feel that this kind of sovereign self-determination has nothing but bad consequences.

The third part of the model, cultural nationalism, can be seen in modern-day Wales, where most of the populace want just enough power to preserve their own culture and language, but otherwise have no interest in self-governance.

And Scotland itself embodies the fourth type of nationalism described by Davidson-territorial nationalism-where the feeling is that a government composed of those who live in the country should be making decisions at a local level.

"All of these things are fluid," Davidson said. She likened changes in the geopolitical arena to earthquakes, where pressure builds up, cracks and fissures appear and relieve the pressure, and then the cycle begins again.

Indeed, the signs of the erosion of British identity can be seen on the local football field. Scotland has been using the St. Andrew's cross during its games since the 1960s. Teams from Wales have refused to take the field until the Welsh national anthem was played along with "God Save the Queen." And at English matches, some flags now feature the symbols of England instead of the red, white and blue stripes of Britain.

"The things that held Britain together are gone," Davidson said. "In Scotland and Wales, there's no need to be British."

Previous nationalist models have been based solely on an older idea of sovereignty-one aimed at total independence from other countries. But with the advent of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the Geneva Convention, these ideas of sovereign independence have changed, Davidson argues.

"Sovereignty has become a different thing in the world today," she said.

Indeed, as international organizations begin to achieve prominence, they are changing how people view nationalism. Historically it has created segregated markets, caused conflict and encouraged aggressive, antagonistic behavior between countries, Davidson points out.

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Fiona Davidson, professor, geosciences, (479) 575-3879, fdavidso@uark.edu

Melissa Blouin, science and research communications manager, (479) 575-5555, blouin@uark.edu