Political Constructions of National Identity in Scotland and Quebec

The opening of the Scottish Parliament provides a useful opportunity to reflect on the success and struggles of other regional or sub-national Parliaments, particularly those where nationalist parties seek to form a government. Comparisons between Scotland and Quebec have been plentiful since the May 1997 UK General Election, when it appeared that for the first time in 300 years Scotland would acquire its own Parliament. Given the frequency with which politicians on either side point to the other as proof of success or failure, the extent to which Quebec provides lessons for the establishment of the Scottish political system warrants attention. For nationalists, the electoral strength of the Parti Quebecois provides evidence that nationalist parties can govern prudently while at the same time calling for greater autonomy in key areas of jurisdiction. For those less enamoured of separatism, the presence of a nationalist party bent on increasing political autonomy presents a serious danger to the ability of the government to function and thus poses a threat to the economic and social well-being of all within its borders. As Scottish politicians, on either side of the nationalist divide, each use Quebec to prove their case, a deeper examination of the differences and similarities between the two cases seems prudent. 1