I’m not sure the Scots may be the best example of this dynamic. If their desire for independence from the U.K. is driven by their belief that they get more benefits from the common market of the E.U. more than the benefits they get from being a part of the U.K. , then this is a good example. If not, they might just be looking to mooch off of the E.U. rather than the U.K.

So, we are seeing in Europe particularly the disintegration of the early modern nation states, into increasingly vocal regional identities from below (e.g. Scotland), and supranational organizations from above (e.g. the EU).

Britain however was always something a little off-angle. The United Kingdom of Great Britain came into existence with the act of Union of 1707. It was always a political deal that did not aspire to a “blood and soil” unity of the peoples, with both keeping separate churches, for example. So a devolution of Scotland would be another political deal, and its significance would be worked out over time. After all, Britain has centuries of practice operating a complicated and ad hoc constitutional framework, both within archipelagic Britain/Ireland and with its dominions and its former empire.

A significant assertion of regional autonomy in Brittany, Bavaria, Catalonia or “Padania” would be much more disruptive. France, Germany, Spain and Italy aspired to national unity from the top down and from the center to the regions, and they do not have the practice with flexible and intentionally vague arrangements that are part of the British genius.

However, I agree with Chirol’s point of view. Apart from a socio-political, or historic-anthropological, analysis of a Scottish referendum or independence, I think it’s a clear sign of the times the need for more tied continental relations between nation states (EU but also Nafta, or OUA and the Comesa, the Sadc, etc.) which is balanced by the need of people to have close relations with their delegates and institutions, to the welfare state where present, who become more regional and localistic.
Also, in a world where languages die every day and traditional ways of life blend with a more cosmopolitan approach to culture (be it food or cinema), more and more people are rediscovering their roots, when not inventing them basing upon some Golden Age myths.
But I would not say it’s a crisis of the nation state in itself. I can’t see it disappear – as much as I’d like to – in a foreseeable future. It’s an evolution, an interesting one, to which is wise to keep an eye upon.

Wouldn’t a Scottish republic be a triumph for the nation-state, ensuring statehood for yet another nation that had long been “imprisoned” in a multinational state?