The mind needs to spend effort and energy coping with the constant conflict, and we can become uncomfortable, stressed and even irrationally angry when our attention is drawn to them.
Tag Archives: #Scotland
The History of the SNP and the EU: A Tale of Antagonism
This blog post is based on a YouTube video titled “Why is the history of the SNP and the EU actually really antagonistic?” The Scottish National Party (SNP) portrays itself as a pro-European party, especially in recent years. However, a closer look at the party’s history reveals a more complex and often antagonistic relationship withContinue reading “The History of the SNP and the EU: A Tale of Antagonism”
Helping Nicola Sturgeon Resign
It will be hard for Nicola Sturgeon to go, and unclear who will replace her: but go she must. We offer advice on when, and how, to quit.
A Pinch of Salt
It’s natural Unionists want to see what the SNP do in the dark be brought to the light – but we should be cautious before sharing anything from the recent SNP email breach.
How to spot a populist
A populist is a political leader or movement that seeks or obtains power by claiming to represent the interests of ordinary people and combat what they designate as the “elite” or the powerful. This is the ideational definition of populism I refer to in the prologue to the Populists handbook, which sees populism as aContinue reading “How to spot a populist “
Shunning Sturgeon
Renouncing Nicola Are the faithful having doubts? The key figure in the push for Scottish independence since 2014 has been Nicola Sturgeon, the current First Minister of Scotland and the Scottish National Party leader. While her position on fossil fuels, feminism, and Europe has changed with the wind over the decades, Sturgeon has always beenContinue reading “Shunning Sturgeon”
Computer Says No
Populist’s Playbook asked AI ChatGPT to write an evidence based article arguing both for and against Scottish Independence. Here is what it produced: first the case against… Scottish Independence is a hotly debated topic that has been making headlines for years. While many argue that Scotland should break away from the United Kingdom and becomeContinue reading “Computer Says No”
Scottish Soothsaying
Prophecy is a staple trope of mythology, and if Nationalism is anything, it’s an emotional appeal to mythology, often of an idealised past. The mythology of Scottish Nationalism has included a prophecy of the inevitability of victory, the surety in the collapse of the union, a glorious day coming where real or imagined wrongs willContinue reading “Scottish Soothsaying “
Separation Anxiety
The separation of the legislature and the judiciary is an indication, not a failure, of a healthy liberal democracy. It is the defining behaviour of populists to claim that they speak with the will and the authority of ‘the people against some defined elite. Independent courts must be able to hold the people’s representatives toContinue reading “Separation Anxiety”
Deficit Denial
Scotland’s Democratic Deficit Unionists and Nationalists are in deficit denial – but about different Scottish deficits. Unionists, quite correctly, highlight the challenges of Scotland’s nominal deficit – which would become structural, and therefore problematic, upon independence. Many nationalists downplay it or even deny it exists at all. In contrast, Nationalists highlight what they see asContinue reading “Deficit Denial”
The Populist's Playbook 