Richard Gillespie – författare

The electoral success of secessionist parties in Catalonia and Scotland over the last decade, together with Brexit and the support for Eurosceptic parties in many EU member states, have prompted a rethink of many taken-for-granted notions about politics in Spain, the UK and the EU. Secessionist parties in Catalonia and Scotland often combine calls for independence with support for the EU, but independence for Catalonia might entail the loss of EU membership. In the UK, Scotland voted for the UK to remain in the EU, yet it was forced to leave the Union along with the rest of the country: what effect has Brexit had on Scottish independence claims? Through comparing Catalonia and Scotland, this short volume aims to contribute to debates on, and advance knowledge of, visions of independence and integration, how they interrelate in Europe’s emergent political order, and what they entail for European integration and democracy in the EU.

The electoral success of secessionist parties in Catalonia and Scotland over the last decade, together with Brexit and the support for Eurosceptic parties in many EU member states, have prompted a rethink of many taken-for-granted notions about politics in Spain, the UK and the EU. Secessionist parties in Catalonia and Scotland often combine calls for independence with support for the EU, but independence for Catalonia might entail the loss of EU membership. In the UK, Scotland voted for the UK to remain in the EU, yet it was forced to leave the Union along with the rest of the country: what effect has Brexit had on Scottish independence claims? Through comparing Catalonia and Scotland, this short volume aims to contribute to debates on, and advance knowledge of, visions of independence and integration, how they interrelate in Europe’s emergent political order, and what they entail for European integration and democracy in the EU.

The European Union and Democracy Promotion (2002) offers a critical assessment of the strategy upon which the EU promotion of democracy and human rights activity has been based, along with an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. Contributors from a variety of European and North African countries show how the obstacles to political change in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt are not only to be found within these countries, but also in EU member states such as France and Spain.

The European Union and Democracy Promotion (2002) offers a critical assessment of the strategy upon which the EU promotion of democracy and human rights activity has been based, along with an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. Contributors from a variety of European and North African countries show how the obstacles to political change in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt are not only to be found within these countries, but also in EU member states such as France and Spain.