Nationalism and “sectarianism” in contemporary Scotland

McBride, M. (2022) Nationalism and “sectarianism” in contemporary Scotland. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 45(16), pp. 335-358. (doi: 10.1080/01419870.2022.2085522)

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between nationalism and “sectarianism”1 in contemporary Scotland. Constitutional disruptions have reopened fault lines around religion, ethnicity, and a “clash” of nationalisms. Sectarianism, which had long been ostensibly confined to residual culture, frequently features in media and political discourses. At the heart of debates is the question of contested national identities – Scottish, British, and Irish. Based on qualitative research with football supporters in Glasgow, this article examines how identities are reproduced and negotiated in people’s everyday lives. While Scotland has undergone significant political, socio-economic, and cultural shifts which have disrupted traditional patterns of belonging, the legacy of sectarianism is relevant in how people negotiate these changes and make sense of competing aspects of their identities. Further, participants’ narratives suggest that these tensions can influence political behaviours, particularly as the binary nature of referendums poses challenges for reconciling multiple layers of identity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was funded by an ESRC grant: 1231990.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mcbride, Dr Maureen
• Authors: McBride, M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
• Journal Name: Ethnic and Racial Studies
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0141-9870
• ISSN (Online): 1466-4356
• Published Online: 17 June 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Author
• First Published: First published in Ethnic and Racial Studies 45(16): 335-358
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License