Book Description
In this short book, part of Argyll Publishing's discussions series of social policy topics, Chris Harvie argues that the Scottish political community is small, exaggeratedly middle class and weak. Into such a vacuum created by a timid establishment, facile ideology and reactionary populism can flow.
Coming from a life-long enthusiasm for Scottish self-determination, such a situation rings alarm bells for Harvie. Mending Scotland raises the questions that need to be asked in a modern country that is serious about tackling its own problems in economic policy, in the acceptance of received wisdoms by a passively obedient media, in the value of a social agenda, in transport policy and approaches to energy and conservation.
To the discomfort of closed minds, Harvie calls on the significance of learning from history, trusting in the power of cultural memory, and a common sense tradition.
About the Author
Chris Harvie is Professor of British and Irish Studies at Tbingen University in Germany, and has honorary chairs at Aberystwyth and Strathclyde. Of his last book, Scotland: a short history, Arnold Kemp wrote in the Observer: 'unfailingly entertaining, with quite a remarkable breadth and range, mixing literature and art into the usual staples of history'.
His last Argyll title was Deep Fried Hillman Imp - sorting Scotland's transport. He was an active campaigner for a Scottish parliament and is a reputed critic of the politicians who have come to occupy that new institution.