The Scottish Government

Scotland in the World

Friday, November 30, 2007

Aberdeen University has just set up a 'Scotland in the World' Forum to consider our country's global standing and global potential.

I was invited to deliver the inaugural lecture and I was delighted to explain how the Forum will be a major part of the wider National Conversation which is about the kind of country Scotland wishes to be - and the changes that must be made to meet our ambitions.

I talked about independence and interdependence and why this Government looks to Ireland and the Nordic countries - the Arc of Prosperity around us - as working models of what can be achieved in the modern global economy if Scotland had the same powers and freedoms that these countries take for granted.

I said that Scotland's interdependence is a fact. We have a strong economic relationship with the rest of the UK, our EU partners, and beyond.

And, I argued, it is precisely because we live in an interdependent world that independence matters.

The choice for Scotland is clear. We can choose to remain a bit player - unable to advance our interests other than through the UK. Alternatively, as an independent country, we can actively seek responsibility, eager to help shape the great global debates on the environment, on trade, on poverty, on the emergence of new economies.

For me, Scottish independence is not just an opportunity to move Scotland forward, but a chance for Scotland to give something back, to meet our global responsibilities. I want Scotland to be a leader in international conflict resolution, building on the tremendous sense of goodwill towards our nation across the globe.

Scotland is considering its position in a world of close and ever-growing economic interdependence. We benefit greatly from co-operation but that does not obviate the huge economic rewards for countries that are innovative and flexible and pursuing the right economic strategy, and a clear and distinct set of interests.

That is why this Government believes that now, more than ever, Scotland stands to benefit from full independence.

Read the full text of FM's lecture

Comments

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• 1. Graeme - Livingston

  Tuesday, February 5, 2008 14:01

  Iam a proud 21 year old scot. In my appion the union is nothing but a big layer of bureaucracy smothering scotland.
  
  When ppl ask me why scotland is not indepedent. I always say it will take a nation of millions to hold us back. That nation is england.
  
  I want a social democracy a rich country like norway and ireland.
  
  By Oppression's woes and pains!
  By your Sons in servile chains!
  We will drain our dearest veins,
  But they shall be free!
  

• 2. Stewart - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, February 5, 2008 17:17

  Graeme - It is a nation of millions which is holding us back, but that nation is not England.
  
  It is a nation of 5 million people. It is Scotland.
  
  It is our apathy, our ignorance, our low self-esteem and our (unjustified) fear which is holding us back. If only the majority of us Scots could see that Scotland CAN be a success as an independent nation, just as the dozens of independent nations in this area of the world have done. I find it incredible that people continue to make the argument that we could not survive on our own, that we are somehow better off placed inside this Union with the rest of the United Kingdom. This argument is based on the belief that we Scots are somehow less capable of running our own country than the Irish, the Norwegians, the Icelandic, the Danish etc. It is, frankly, a ridiculous stand point.

• 3. george alexander - north lanarkshire

  Tuesday, February 5, 2008 19:29

  Graeme, whilst I applaude your desire for an independent Scotland I would urge you not to hold anyone but ourselves responsible for where we are.
  
  The English are a decent people, similar to us in so many respects. I believe though that you really mean the Westminster and U.K. establishment.
  
  Scotland's profile is important in this new global economy. We need people of stature who have our interests at heart to represent us outwith our shores.
  
  I do not believe that the Unionist MP's and MSP's have the ability or inclination to do this so long as they continue to place the Union above all else.
  
  One only has to look at the damage they are doing with this ridiculous enquiry into the Trump planning application. Where else would the First minister and the representatives of the investor be put on 'trial'.
  
  The very last post of the now closed down national conversation forum contained a post basically suggesting that Alex Salmond was showing signs of becoming mired in sleaze.
  
  Posts and indeed accusations of this nature are the currency of those seeking to defend this discredited union. They should be shown up for what they are, smears and lies.
  
  The Scottish electorate are growing weary of these scaremongering tactics. They wish to see something more positive from our politicians and our media.
  
  We have the resources both in terms of hydrocarbons (oil, coal, gas), renewables (25% of European total) and our people. Other countries have managed to create a healthy and affluent society with none of the benefits that we in Scotland have. We Scots are more than capable of doing business with the rest of the world and investing wisely in our society.

• 4. jon - Florida,USA

  Wednesday, February 6, 2008 01:53

  Push has come to shove:
  We need to partner with Scotland for trade. It appears that our manufactures/suppliers are making products with poisons from China and we need a trade plan with Scotland for our goods. Many Americans are willing to pay more for the safer products and peace of mind.

• 5. nigel - Borders

  Wednesday, February 6, 2008 08:48

  As a nation with a indisputable national identity, Scotland has a legitimate right to determine its present and future. No one should gainsay that. The UK Government should show not how the UK would be diminished by Scottish independence but rather how Scotland would be disadvantaged by it using whatever criteria is relevant. If they cannot show a net adverse effect then certainly they should not seek to influence the decision to be independent. Even if they can show a net adverse effect they still do not have the right under any premise to deny the democratically expressed right of the Scottish people to be independent in governance. The Scottish Government needs to present the case to the nation in a full and independent report and allow a vote by the people not the MSP's. This is an enormous task but the matter is too important for the spiritual wellbeing of the Scottish people to leave to the inevitably random viewpoint of MSP's however worthy any individual person might be. In this way whatever the outcome for the Scottish nation eventually following independence at least it can be said that democracy prevailed.

• 6. Leesome - Glasgow

  Wednesday, February 6, 2008 16:17

  What Scotland requires to truly stand on its own feet is its own market place.
  
  Scotland has it own globally: quote from poster above, "As a nation with a indisputable national identity," and so does attract a want for foreign investment. If this could be released from a Scottish stock exchange built on a electronic trading platform then Scotland could do mighty things from a global infux of funds. Scotland as a nation holds some of the richest and oldest banks, that did not happen on luck. Scotland has a wealth of commodity, such rich assets in our land will always be a pull, that in time shall prove oor nation to be the strongest one on planet earth.

• 7. Dave Eastabrook - Largs, Ayrshire

  Wednesday, February 6, 2008 18:10

  3. george alexander "... suggesting that Alex Salmond was showing signs of becoming mired in sleaze"
  
  What I said was: "I think he's in danger of descending into the usual murky cesspit of British style "smear" politics".
  
  There's a clear and startling difference. Your distorted version of waht I said may well be be considered an accusation, mine is hopefully clearly a well-intentioned (and timely) warning. And representing that as a unionist post, and therby me as a unionist shows a complete abstinence on your part of reading and understanding postings, wherein I have constantly put myself forward in favour of independence. I'm going to ignore your misrepresentations in future as it's a waste of space on this conversation, and my apologies to readers and moderators for this waste of a posting :(

• 8. Dave Eastabrook - Largs, Ayrshire

  Wednesday, February 6, 2008 18:33

  4. jon
  Yes, Scotland needs to partner more, not just with the USA, but with other countries too. And this should not just be outwards as in the contribution Scotland can make in terms of abilities and goods or services, it should be inwards.
  
  Possibly the best project I worked on as a freelance (in Germany) had in the high and low level design phases: me, 2 English, 1 Austrian, 4 Germans including team leader and manager, 1 Indonesian - and then 2 Americans. I remember well the project meeting where the 2 Americans held out for a 3 month delay on the project, with confidence in the correctness of their request in the face of strong opposition from the manager. All the rest of us were staring "timidly" at the table, hoping the 2 Americans would win.
  
  They did, we all helped out in their part of the project, but also patched up the many holes and shortcuts in our own work, as well as redesigning for the better. The result was a superlative and totally successful product which I believe was contributory to that German division being one of only 2 divisions of that company that made a profit that year, at a time where the company came within only 2 points of having to go chapter 11.
  
  We all had different skills and mindsets; together we were unstoppable. In Scotland we not only need our abilities, we need that confidence and self-assurance - and that assertion to make happen what we know in our hearts and minds is right.
  
  We need all our neighbours, as well as ourselves, and whether independent or not, we ignore that at our peril.

• 9. Frances Carney - Edinburgh

  Wednesday, February 6, 2008 21:10

  Congratulations Alex and the SNP. I have voted for the SNP since I was able and at last I feel a sense of pride and promise for my wonderful county. Keep up the good work. Labour and the Lib Dems are looking so second rate

• 10. Graeme - West Lothian

  Thursday, February 7, 2008 08:37

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