Scotch Independence - the countdown

Blow this democracy laugh where everyone gets to vote before they give out the results eh? I'll give the electoral commission a ring and see what they can do to make it more exciting for you

 

[h=1]Is Scottish referendum a canary in the coal mine?[/h] By Andrew Wilson 15 Sep, 2014 at 14:20

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The nation state is under pressure as an entity.


Is it still fit for purpose in a technology-driven globalised world, and do official borders on a map mean that much? The bulk of human existence has instead been based around tribal-type organisational structures, and one can see a reversion to that model today in the Middle East, or rather the reality that in many places it was never left that far behind.


Civilizations have tended to collapse when the marginal pay-off no longer rewards their level of complexity and continued investment (taxes), and hence people decline to give ongoing support to the structure. This has been well documented over the years, for example by Joseph Tainter in 'The Collapse of Complex Societies'.


The current political model in the developed world shows early signs of such vulnerability, as seen in the various independence campaigns highlighting more local aims, even just in Europe, and topically, in Scotland. The large nation state has had a good run, for some 400 years, but perhaps more decentralised systems with greater economic freedom (even City states?) might come in to vogue again.


One perspective is that most social democracies are already technically insolvent, no longer fit for purpose, and ultimately poor value for tax payer money. The Chinese Dynasties were known for running into financial difficulties, each after a hundred years or so, and perhaps this is just an inevitability of human nature and governance, and that stimulates renewal. Today's issues range from Welfare systems that are unable to endure in anything like their current form, to increasing regulation and inefficiencies that are the very last things that any country in the "global race" needs, or that anyone would themselves vote for.


The irony for the Scots is that they are not choosing whether to go it alone when they lead the world in education, engineering, finance and philosophy, as they did 150 years ago; or even when they have uncovered a bountiful, rather than depleted, energy inheritance. Nevertheless, a substantial 'Yes' vote, even if not a majority, would evidence a desire for structural political change, perhaps more broadly held, that could be a canary in the coalmine, and to eventually prove irresistible in other countries. Investors, as much as politicians, will need to adapt to this potential reality.

 

Lolzers just voted No for the banter.

 

Well don't make stupid comments about referenda being boring at 3PM on polling day then

 

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All yes voters (including Barrie Lochrie of Twechar) are hate filled spastics

(well half are, the other half are just *****s)

 

We're aw gonny be rich!

Am gonny buy me a yacht and sail around the Mediterranean.

 

Ye goat telt. So shut yer face.

 

Nasty?????? Yeah right oh.

 

I actually think he is right in fairness - people probably should be nice to each other on here. Good luck enforcing it though

 

Mick don't **** with Watford fans on here

Haven't you got a book to go read?

 

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You shut yer ****in face, anaw.

 

Did anyone see the John Oliver skit on Scottish independence?

I have to admit that's becoming my favourite programme on TV - it's magic.

Is anybody else still not flagging?

I've had hardly any sleep and I've still got a big beautiful Scottish democracy hard-on.

There's no way I'll stay up tonight - running on empty already.

Mon the bold.