The Politics of Immigration in Scotland - by Aubrey Westfall (Paperback)

About the Book

Examines immigration as a central strategy of Scottish nation building

Book Synopsis

At a time when many European nationalist movements are attempting to preserve their culture by rejecting immigration and diversification, openness to immigration and diversity is a central political strategy for Scottish nation building, making Scotland a key case study for how nationalist sentiments and cosmopolitan identities can join together. This book discusses whether the pro-immigration strategies implemented by the Scottish political leadership could be employed elsewhere, addressing ongoing public debates about minority integration and multiculturalism in Western democracies, and the potential power of local or national political elites to steer rhetoric against anti-immigrant forces.

From the Back Cover

How nationalism can be leveraged to promote modern democratic and pro-diversity values While most nationalists worldwide fear immigration will dilute their national culture, pro-immigrant advocacy has become a critical element of nationalism and nation-building in Scotland. Elite-level endorsement of immigration and diversity serves Scotland's moral and strategic interests and is a symbol of Scotland's distinction from England, which justifies arguments for further devolution or, ultimately, independence. This book examines the central features of Scotland's social and political environment that provide an opportunity for the development of pro-immigration policy preferences. It evaluates how well those preferences are communicated with quantitative and qualitative analysis of primary and secondary data. The book also analyses the elite and mass divergence in understandings of Scottish identity and the desirability of immigration, which threatens the implementation of the government's multicultural policies. It illustrates the extent of the divergence and presents recommendations for how Scottish leaders can bridge the gap. Aubrey Westfall is Associate Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College in Massachusetts.

Review Quotes

This welcome book is the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of the historical origins, political dynamics, party positioning and public attitudes on migration in Scotland. It helps explain the distinctive brand of civic nationalism espoused by political elites, and how it relates to less effusive public attitudes on migration. It should be essential reading for scholars and policy-makers working on migration politics and multi-level politics, and will also be a compelling and accessible read for non-experts with an interest in this hugely important topic.

-- "Christina Boswell, University of Edinburgh"

About the Author

Aubrey Westfall is Associate Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College. She is co-author of The Politics of the Headscarf in the United States (2018, Cornell University Press).