IT IS A DEMONSTRABLE FACT: INDEPENDENCE BRINGS AGENCY, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND PURPOSEFUL SOLIDARITY

By stewartb:

When one reads the kind of headline below in the context of Scotland’s future (they are all too common, alas) it’s hard not to become – just – bored!

“Virus battle will show that co-operation beats separation every time.”

https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2020/03/16/articulacy-beats-inarticulacy-every-time/

Knowingly peddling the ‘plain wrong’

Suggesting that in actions on health – or indeed in any other field of public policy endeavour – there is a binary choice for Scotland between ‘separation’ and ‘co-operation’ is plain wrong: actually it’s plain daft! However, whilst the authors of such stuff are wrong, some are not ‘daft’: some will be deliberately, knowingly promoting the ‘plain wrong’ with the intention of diminishing public confidence and stoking anxiety. The underlying message is: beware of Scotland acquiring ‘agency’ (its capacity to act) because if it ever does it will lead inevitably to failure and you, dear reader, will suffer!

The antidote to a falsehood

Fortunately there are antidotes to this deviousness. Based on many economic, social and environmental characteristics, it is not unreasonable to suggest that an independent Scotland will be something like the ‘separate’ nation state of Norway. If you can accept this proposition, even in broad terms, then as a way of demolishing the ‘separation’ vs. ‘co-operation’ false choice the following document is a revelation.

Source: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Norway’s Role and Interests in Multilateral Cooperation Report to the Storting (white paper) Meld. St. 27 (2018–2019)

Click to access stm201820190027000engpdfs.pdf

The ‘separate’ nation state embraces co-operation

Even a quick skim through this paper is worthwhile. It reveals how a ‘separate’ nation state of c. 5.4 million people on the northern edge of Europe sees itself in the world. It reveals: (i) what it is already influencing and achieving globally; (ii) its aspirations for further influence through international co-operation; (iii) the ways it seeks strategically and operationally to build and exert its continuing influence; and importantly (iv) for what purposes. In short, the place of the ‘separate’ nation state of Norway in the world is set out clearly for all in Scotland to see, to learn and gain confidence from.  A few example quotes are given here for demonstration.

“Norway is not merely a member of organisations like the UN, NATO, the IMF, the World Bank and WTO, but has played a role in establishing them. We have not passively observed the growth of the rules-based world order, but have actively helped build it. Now we must defend and further develop what we have helped create.”

To act as others like us can act

Note: in the quotes that follow, I’ve inserted the name of my country in places for effect – to help see how we ourselves might act just as others like us demonstrably can and do act, co-operatively!

“Norway (Scotland) has a number of tools at its disposal to promote Norwegian (Scottish) and common interests in the multilateral system, including international political and financial contributions, partnerships, police and military contributions, candidacies, board memberships and the recruitment of Norwegians (Scots) to international organisations. In an ever changing landscape, the Norwegian (Scottish) government representatives must consider in each specific case which tools and methods have best effect.”

The same white paper devotes a chapter to the ‘separate’ nation state of Norway’s international co-operation specifically on health, across Europe and globally.

“Cooperating internationally on health issues serves many purposes, such as: contributing to solving the health challenges that do not stop at borders; exchanging knowledge; developing nationwide schemes for effectively preventing and combating disease; and, helping to improve the overall health situation in Norway’s (Scotland’s) vicinity and in other parts of the world.”

(Here on TUSC the extensive and additional levels of health and social care co-operation between separate but neighbouring Nordic nation states have already been described.

Source: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2020/03/11/more-on-kenny-farquharsons-supposed-self-isolation/ )

Returning to the white paper:

“Norway (Scotland) will continue to take a lead in efforts to solve new cross-border health challenges. Meeting the challenges requires evidence-based decisions that contribute to strengthening health systems, particularly in developing countries, and that are well-coordinated across sectors. Norway (Scotland) must continue to combine political leadership, expertise, funding, a long-term perspective and innovation to enable the multilateral system to assist all countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal relating to good health and well-being by 2030. Success in the area of health is important both in itself and for reaching the other Sustainable Development Goals. By contributing to improving international health cooperation, we also protect the health of our own population.”

To repeat: independence brings agency, enables international cooperation and brings purposeful and practical international solidarity. But, yes, it requires the taking of responsibility!