All political careers end in failure: What if Nicola Sturgeon is looking to snatch an exit strategy from the jaws of defeat? We often assume that Nicola Sturgeon, a life-long Scottish nationalist, wants independence at all costs and frames her decisions to that end. What if we assumed instead that her top priority is herContinue reading “Last Exit to Brigadoon”
Author Archives: Bingo Demagogue
The Politics of Parchment
The Scottish and American reactions to school shootings have been worlds apart. The Dunblane Massacre shocked, shamed and scared Scotland: on 13th March 1996, Thomas Hamilton shot dead 16 pupils and one teacher and injured 15 others before killing himself. The almost immediate reaction by the Government in Westminster was a UK-wide tightening of gunContinue reading “The Politics of Parchment”
Self Determination or Self Integrity?
It is a jus cogens (generally accepted) principle established in international law that ‘a people‘ have a right to ‘self-determination‘, and it’s surely one liberals and democrats should support. It has been a key factor in creating the stability of the post-war settlement. It is recognised as a principle in the UN charter. Unhelpfully inContinue reading “Self Determination or Self Integrity?”
The Invisible Anglophobe
In Scotland there are anecdotal reports of Anglophobia, but no official stats; yet the Police collect data that could be used. However
A Lack of Common Census
In 2022 Scotland is holding one of the most controversial censuses since the Romans made Mary travel miles across the desert and give birth in a stable. How and why is it being done this way, and should you fill it in?
Attacking the Media
“Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.” Napoleon Bonaparte The technique we look at in this chapter of the Populist’s Playbook is “Attacking the media”. I like to start out with some definitions and parameters. So, what do we mean by media, and what do we mean by attacks? WhoContinue reading “Attacking the Media”
The Neverendum Story
12 Logical, legal and democratically legitimate arguments against a second independence referendum.
Eurotrash
Unlikely, Unsafe, Unprecedented & Unpopular. “An independent Scotland should consider joining the Euro if it becomes a member of the European Union, according to a leading expert.” Herald 17th Feb Kirsty Hughes proposal is: unlikely, unsafe, unprecedented and unpopular. Kirsty has stated elsewhere an Independent Scotland seeking to join the EU would need to goContinue reading “Eurotrash”
Textbook Disinformation
All Quiet on the SNP Front? In Scotland we see two, literally, textbook disinformation strategies from the Scottish National Party. The textbook in question being “Propaganda & Persuasion – Garth S. Jowett, Victoria O’Donnell”. As a communication process ‘disinformation’ is described by two models developed by Jowett and O’Donnell. The deflective source model, and theContinue reading “Textbook Disinformation”
The Finnish Anchor
How is behavioural science being used in propaganda to influence your ability to estimate accurately? What do the number of calories in an apple have to do with how long an independent Scotland would take to join the EU? – it all depends how you ask the question! Cognitive biases. I am biased. You areContinue reading “The Finnish Anchor”
The Populist's Playbook 