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Grasping the Thistle: How Scotland Must React to the Three Key Challenges of the Twenty First Century
 
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Grasping the Thistle: How Scotland Must React to the Three Key Challenges of the Twenty First Century (Paperback)

by Dennis MacLeod (Author), Michael Russell (Author)
3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Customers buy this book with The Road to Independence?: Scotland Since the Sixties (Contemporary Worlds) by Murray Pittock

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Product details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Argyll Publishing (25 Sep 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1902831861
  • ISBN-13: 978-1902831862
  • Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 15.5 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 531,367 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Synopsis

Why has the devolution settlement disappointed? Why do politicians seem so out of touch and their political parties appear so unattractive to ordinary people? What should be done to tackle attitudes to government and deal with deep-seated problems of poverty, under-investment and dependency? Dennis Macleod and Michael Russell - two Scots of achievement - give an honest analysis of today's Scotland and present some startling suggestions designed to prepare the country for the real and pressing challenges of the twenty first century.

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Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing and insightful appraisal, 11 Jun 2008
By Andrew D. Scobie "ascomrie" (Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
'Grasping the Thistle' by Dennis McLeod and Michael Russell sets out to argue how Scotland should respond to its current problems surrounding democracy, economics and the environment. The author's write from a nationalist perspective and set their ideas and recommendations in the context of an independent or a further devolved Scotland. I am not an advocate of Scottish Independence so I approached the book with scepticism, however I too found McLeod and Russell's arguments uplifting.
The author's present a thorough and informed appraisal of the three problems facing Scotland and present policy recommendations on the basis of their appraisals. Policy recommendations are developed using both comparison with other countries (EIRE in particular) and imagination. I found the critique of Scottish democracy particularly enlightening regarding the extent to which the UK system of government has moved away from what can be classed as truly inclusive democracy. Their recommendations for a more inclusive democracy in an independent Scotland seem rather ambitious, yet it is refreshing to witness the development of new ideas.
The chapters on economic and environmental issues facing Scotland are very thorough and illustrate a rigorous understanding. For those like myself who are generally familiar with such issues but have a limited knowledge, I would recommend reading these chapters at least twice to fully understand the arguments and recommendations. Regardless of such difficulties I highly complement these chapters on the constructive nature of their arguments.
After reading 'Grasping the Thistle' I'm sorry to say that the author's have not convinced me to change my mind regarding my stance on Scottish independence. Despite the strength of conviction surrounding the arguments and recommendations, I remain cautious as to whether the ideas would maintain such convictions in practice as they do on paper. That said it is refreshing to see a practical interpretation of an independent of further devolved Scotland. These issues have been in the media for decades (particuarly since the SNP's victory last year) but so far all interpretations (that I have witnessed) have lacked substance and portray these issues as little more than a fantasy. 'Grasping the Thistle' can be commended on providing this missing substance by portraying independence and further devolution as a real and highly insightful working model.

I recommend this to anyone who wants to take their understanding further.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Positive Vision for Scotland, 5 Jun 2008
Grasping the Thistle is an uplifting account of how Scotland could brace itself to face some of the political, economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century. Its proposals are, I believe, sound and the authors make their case well. Unfortunately the layout and format of the book, with its annoying habit of leaving a blank line after every paragraph, breaks the flow of the writing. Despite this minor criticism, if you are interested in how to improve Scotland you should read this book.
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0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Facile, Superficial, Gib Neo-Liberal Cliches Wrapped Up As Serious Thinking, 2 Jun 2009
By Mr. G. Hassan "The Bungo Boy" (Glasgow, Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I was motivated to writing a short summary of this book after reading the two ridiculous reviews saying it is a thoughtful book.

This is an awful book of superficial solutions strung together going with the grain of the economic and social global orthodoxies of the last thirty years - which have brought the UK and the world economy to its sad state. Firstly, this book should be taken seriously as Russell as a major player in the Nats and clearly takes himself seriously and sees himself as a deep thinker. Secondly, while the book proports to face the key challenges of the future, basically it is a cobbled together, tiresome right-wing rant. The problem is the state, regulation, too high taxes, social protection, the solution, bending over and caving in to multinationals and corporates.

Funnily enough this is an argument for Scottish independence which is about Scotland giving up power and voice. And as a hilarious credo to this tedious, awful book, Russell pre-publication takes his every word as so crucial, that he leaked to the Sunday Herald the pre-publication version which he sent to Salmond for approval. That version was even more right-wing: Scotland as a Northern Monaco, whereas now it is more the Irish Celtic Tiger, before it fell ill and had to be shot.

People like Russell played the neo-liberal agenda of the last thirty years, and have shamelessly offered no mea cupla, no apology, no explanation. And to think this man is the SNP Government's Minister for Culture.
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