Persistent states: lessons for Scottish devolution and independence

Muscatelli, A., Roy, G. and Trew, A. (2022) Persistent states: lessons for Scottish devolution and independence. National Institute Economic Review, 260, pp. 51-63. (doi: 10.1017/nie.2022.5)

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Abstract

The equilibrium size of a nation state is, in part, the result of a trade-off between the gains from scale economies in the provision of public services and the costs of applying uniform policy to heterogeneous cultural, institutional and geographical fundamentals. Changes in such fundamentals can thus place pressure on states to reform over time. We consider this dynamic state formation process in the context of Scotland within the United Kingdom. First, we review the recent research in economic history on the persistence and evolution of such fundamentals. Second, we consider the history of Scotland both before and after the 1707 Act of Union in the light of that broader economic history literature. We conclude with some implications of fundamental persistence for current debates on the place of Scotland within the United Kingdom.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Roy, Professor Graeme and Muscatelli, Professor Anton and Trew, Professor Alex
Authors: Muscatelli, A., Roy, G., and Trew, A.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Economics
University Services > Strategy and Planning > Principal’s Office
Journal Name:National Institute Economic Review
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0027-9501
ISSN (Online):1741-3036
Published Online:11 January 2023
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in National Institute Economic Review 260: 51-63
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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