In Place of Fear II: A Socialist Programme for an Independent Scotland

by Jim Sillars

Jim Sillars argues convincingly that the referendum gives the Scottish people the power to create a better country, helps renew our belief in socialism as the answer to the economic and social crisis facing the country, and challenges the idea in the Yes campaign that independence means "change but no change" and that a Yes voter endorses Alex Salmond and the SNP. There is a far more radical road, with better policies than those Salmond is offering in the first independence elections in 2016. This book demonstrates what the Labour party has been keen to hide: that socialist ideas in Scotland have always been obstructed by the London connection. Independence is not only for Scotland, but for the Labour party too, and for socialists within it. Independence will strengthen the position of working people and their families, and remove fear from their lives. The recession has devastated the lives of thousands of Scots, among them 250,000 children mired in poverty. This book explains how a socialist government in Scotland can make our country a better place for the young, old and disabled in a world of global capitalism. It destroys the argument that nothing can be done against transnational companies, and demonstrates what can be done through the use of state political power to transform the lives of our children and those who have to sell their labour. This book is idealism with its feet on the ground.

Genres: Politics

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2014

About the author

James Sillars is a Scottish politician and a leading figure in the campaign for Scottish independence. He founded and led the Scottish Labour Party in the 1970s, and was Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party. He was married to Margo MacDonald until her death in 2014.

Reviews

[James Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pugnacious book in which a vision for an independent Scottish Socialist Republic is outlined by Sillars, one of the most authoritative voices in the Scottish Independence sector. Sillars, a former deputy leader of the SNP, looks at many of the issues that ails modern Scottish society and outlines how he would address them.

Some of his solutions are quite predictable, and many involve throwing cash at problems; others are more imaginative. Sillars, regardless, delivers a passionate vision of Scotland’s future.

There is much in this book to stimulate those interested in a Scottish Republic.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

In general this is a pragmatic work, soberly and convincingly argued, and with careful costings for the proposed measures. It doesn't fall into the trap of "holier than though" ultraothodox rhetoric, nor does it pretend that a socialist Scotland would somehow be surrounded by uniquely socialist countries. Instead it sets out ways to achieve an alternative to rapacious, divisive disaster capitalism that would value further education and vocational training, would see poverty as a problem to be tackled rather than a Greenspan-style ideal to be achieved, and uses a mix of socialist principles and socially-motivated capitalism to achieve these goals. As an example, small and medium enterprises are seen in this book as part of the community and a means of increasing community wealth, rather than as "the enemy".

Parts are better argued than others and I often wished for footnotes or links to online articles where some points would be further developed (or justified, or their financial implications worked through in greater detail). I was also frankly shocked to see renewable energy sneered at and fracking extolled as a source of energy and wealth (the vast negative impacts on health, the environment, and property value being simply "ignored", in the author's words). Moving past that section I did finish the book and am glad I did.

It would not be the first book I would recommend to someone wanting a detailed view of issues and alternatives around Scottish independence. The "Wee Blue Book" and the works of Common Weal would be primary choices here. Still, a useful and inexpensive publication whose purchase also helps a small and independent publisher; worth a read for sure.

[Tadhg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a 3.5 for me. I, in no way agree with everything in this book and don't know enough about economics or policy to have a good understanding of the basis or implications of these proposals. A good few of the suggested policies seem naive to me and to ignore basic human nature. I've never made so many notes or highlights in a book before.
I think this could have been set out better, sentences tended to be quite long which was more problematic given there was a (required) need for specialist language. Still, for a political/sociology book, this was easy to read with more substance than the white paper which admittedly I have only read a few pages of.

[Auburn Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting manifesto for an independent Scotland. He covers a lot of the counter arguments and how an Independent Scotland would improve certain situations.