Independence under conditions of interdependence? From the Scottish referendum debates to (a) theorical conception(s) of independence

While the idea of independence continues to exert strong motivational force, current research on European independence movements repeatedly asserts that the meaning of independence has changed (e.g. Keating/McEwen 2017). What exactly independence has come to mean, however, remains unclear. In parallel, theories of secession usually assume independent and sovereign statehood as the given aim of secessionist movements, while, at the same time, processes of globalisation and Europeanisation, integration and interdependence challenge established conceptions of sovereignty, self-determination and statehood and can also be expected to affect the meaning of independence. Independence itself, however, rarely attracts the attention of political theorists. This paper moves the concept of independence and thus the aim of secessionist movements centre stage. It asks what independence – understood as institutional guiding-principle – does, can and should (still) mean under conditions of interdependence. To arrive at empirically founded as well as theoretically compelling answers, a reconstructive – broadly Habermasian – approach is applied: The assessment of participants’ assumptions about the meaning and value of independence in the Scottish referendum debates 2013/2014 forms the basis for reconstructing possible conceptions of independence that then become subject to theoretical scrutiny. The analysis itself proceeds in a series of steps: Firstly, the domestic and international institutional choices and patterns that participants associate with becoming independent. It is the relation between independence and different forms of union in particular that shapes the Scottish debates about possible constitutional futures. Secondly, the conceptual building-blocks that inform understandings of independence are assessed. The Scottish referendum debates indicate that the specific value of the notion of independence lies in relating ideas of sovereignty, freedom and self-determination to each other. Understanding their interrelations is thus key for understanding independence and its motivational force. Thirdly, the paper systematises different conception of independence. In the Scottish debates, the Scottish nation, members of the Scottish society individually or the Scottish people as demos are mentioned as agents of independence. Taking these as distinct starting points for conceptualising independence, national, liberal, and republican readings can be distinguished. While each relates notions of self-determination, freedom and sovereignty to each other, each also entails distinct conceptual and institutional links between individuals, collectives and political institutions as well as between different political, domestic or inter-polity levels. Each also implies different limits and possibilities for legitimate institution-building. Finally, the distinct conceptions – as well as possible compounds – exhibit different strengths and weaknesses that render them less or more adequate for serving as institutional guiding-principles under conditions of interdependence. In all, this empirically grounded reconstruction helps to better understand the meaning of independence, particularly in the European context. It shows independence to be a relational and multidimensional concept that spans different analytical and political levels and indicates that independence and interdependence are no opposites. The juxtaposition of different conceptions simultaneously points towards further research and debates. In particular, it tasks us with rethinking the link between the independence of agents/demoi and the independence of polities as well as the relation between independence and union.