Vol. 4 No. 3 (2014): Scottish Independence

Welcome to the final issue of Leviathan’s fourth year.     This special edition contains the thoughts of two Members of the European Parliament, one Member of the Scottish Parliament, the Lord Rector of the University of Edinburgh, and a number of students on the topic of Scottish Independence.     The upcoming referendum, on 18 September, 2014, will allow Scots an historic say on their constitutional future. The vote, however it goes, will have profound impact on the policies of devolution and federalism in a European context. It will inform our understanding of the rights of small nations, of nationhood and issues of identity, and, more broadly, it will inform the political philosophy underpinning issues of secession and the conversation on which, if any group, has a right to secede, and in what circumstances.   If it is a Yes vote, I think it will be a cause to rejoice for academics, if only because of the extraordinary opportunity to inform the construction of a new state out of an ancient nation. This issue takes a critical look at the possibilities, pitfalls, and promises of Scottish Independence. There was no requirement, for this issue, for submissions to remain unbiased. In fact, partiality was encouraged. For this special edition, we have done away with regional columns, temporarily, to focus on public policy issues surrounding the independence debate. This issue should serve as a ‘Voter’s Guide’ of sorts, informing the understanding of a number of policy areas loosely based on the policy areas outlined in the Scottish Government’s White Paper: Politics and Constitution, Economics, Business, and Finance, Health, Welfare, and Social Protection, Justice, Immigration, and Home Affairs, and International Relations, Security, and Defence.     It has been the best experience that I have had at University, being your Editor in Chief. Our team has worked very hard, and I’m proud of what we have accomplished together.     I’ll miss it, but Leviathan has so much potential, and still so much left to build. Thank you for the opportunity to lead this Journal, and to work with you all.     Leviathan will also be bidding farewell to our Production Chief of two years, Adrie Smith, as she graduates. Leviathan has existed for four years, and Adrie is responsible for fully fifty percent of what the Journal is. Her presence will be missed by the entire Leviathan and PIR Soc community, though we are sure she will traffic in interesting and noteworthy pursuits after graduation!     Thanks to the Department of Politics and International Relations and the Politics and International Relations Society for their continued generous support of Leviathan.     Finally, I would like to thank all student-staff members of Leviathan and all students who contributed to this issue. The issue you have before you represents their capabilities and hard work.     Sincerely,     Maxwell Greenberg