Paradiplomacy as nation-building: the politics of Scotland’s international development policy (1999-2022)

Dellepiane, S. and Reinsberg, B. (2023) Paradiplomacy as nation-building: the politics of Scotland’s international development policy (1999-2022). British Journal of Politics and International Relations, (doi: 10.1177/13691481231165408) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Why do substate actors engage in foreign affairs even if endowed with limited formal powers? How are these activities institutionalised and legitimised? This article addresses these questions by examining a critical case: the rise of Scotland’s international development cooperation. The spotlight is put on the domestic sources of foreign policy formation. Our core argument is that the politics of nation-building underpins both the ambition and the increased distinctiveness of the Scottish approach to development. This nation-building effort is mainly reflected in the emergence of an assertive narrative: ‘Scotland as a good global citizen’. Another core insight is the strong articulation between domestic and international representations. The external projections of the Scottish Government mirror the domestic agenda. Our article places the striking Scottish case in analytical and comparative perspective.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Reinsberg, Dr Bernhard
• Authors: Dellepiane, S., and Reinsberg, B.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: British Journal of Politics and International Relations
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 1369-1481
• ISSN (Online): 1467-856X
• Published Online: 21 April 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2023
• First Published: First published in British Journal of Politics and International Relations 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy