From the Back cover
As the world stands on the precipice of a new era, Scotland remains trapped in the old one. It is time for Scotland to step forward and step up. It is time for us to recognise the potential that we have and what it means for everyone who lives here. It is time for us to realise that we have the stunning environmental resources with which we can build great lives. It is time for us to discover the belief that we can help lead the world by being the first to step confidently over the threshold of that new era.
For ten years the Scottish think tank, Common Weal, has worked with experts in their fields right across the spectrum of policy issues in Scotland. The legacy is a deep body of ideas and research to show us how to be the nation that does take that step into that exciting future. This book pulls all those ideas together into one inspiring vision of the nation we could be.
If you have felt that it ought to be better than this, if you care about Scotland and its culture, its industry, and its environment, if you get frustrated that so little seems to change and so few big ideas thrive here, if you just know Scotland can be better than this but you’re not completely sure how we get there, if you think we are the generation which needs to stand up and be counted, this is your handbook, your guide to what is possible in our small country.
for 40 years we lived in a Me First world – and we all came second. It’s time to build a Scotland that puts All Of Us First.
But we need your help!
Since we first started this work earlier this year, printing costs have doubled, just one of the increases in the expenses of our work. We’re asking you to show your support so that we can get this book out there and can carry on with the important policy work that needs to be done now, more than ever.
If you are able to, please make a donation.
We rely entirely on our supporters for financial contributions that allow us to continue our work. We are very grateful to everyone who helps.
There are several ways in which you can donate:
By bank transfer: Common Weal, RBS Sort Code: 83-07-06 Account Number: 15674957
By PayPal: https://paypal.me/commonweal2022
By credit card in our shop: https://commonweal.scot/shop/support-us/commonweal-donation/
what’s in the book?
It has to be better than this, right? Scotland can do better than this, right?
This book exists not just to persuade you that the answer is yes, but to put the answers about how to do it in your hands. It imagines we are at the start of the first ten years of Scotland being an independent country (though there are plenty of things here to be getting on with while we wait). It describes what kind of society we can build and explains the guiding principles of how to go about building it. Then it takes Avery part of life in Scotland and puts forward a case for change. It describes how we can make independence and Scotland successful. It explains how to build our industrial base, tackle poverty, combat the climate crisis, raise wages, improve our quality of life and stay safe in an uncertain world – and much more besides. If there’s something you think needs fixed, you’ll probably find an explanation of how to fix it in these pages.
19 chapters and each starts with a beautiful illustration…
