现实利益之争:苏格兰公投的历史暗线

Practical Interests Dispute: Historical Clue in the Scottish Referendum

1707年,苏格兰与英格兰签订《联合条约》,苏格兰成为联合王国的一部分。在随后200年中,苏格兰一方面主动投身英国的民族国家和帝国建设,成为不列颠民族的组成部分,自身各方面也得到快速发展;另一方面始终坚持自身的民族特性,在支持联盟的基础上不断谋求更大的政治权力和更高的自治地位。到了20世纪,英帝国逐渐衰落,联盟吸引力减弱,苏格兰民族主义不断发展,离心力增强,最终促成了2014年的独立公投。不论是当初与英格兰联合,还是现在谋求独立,利益都是苏格兰主要考虑的问题。

In 1707, Scotland and England signed the Treaty of Union, making Scotland part of the United Kingdom. In the 200 years that followed, on the one hand, Scotland took the initiative to participate in the nation-state development and empire building of Britain, thus becoming part of the British nation and achieving rapid development in many respects; on the other hand, it had always upheld its national identity and constantly sought greater political power and autonomy while supporting the alliance. With the decline of the British Empire in the 20th centur3; the alliance became less attractive and nationalism began to develop in Scotland. As the separatist forces grew strong, an independence referendum finally came in 2014. Either in uniting with England long ago or in seeking independence now, interests have invariably been the key issue Scotland considered.