Scottish Democracy: History, Myth and Reality
A one-day conference hosted by the Institute of Scottish Historical Research, University of St Andrews
Friday 3rd April 2009
This conference will question the existence, mutation and utility of a radical democratic tradition in Scottish political thought, action and culture. It has been argued by some historians, journalists and political and legal commentators that Scottish history distinctively and precociously enshrined such ‘modern’ concepts as democracy, egalitarianism, a right to resist tyranny, and the sovereignty of the people. Evidence for these claims has come from a chain of defining icons and texts in Scottish history, from the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320, through the Reformation and revolutions of early modern Scotland to socialist and nationalist activism of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The conference will seek to interrogate these foundation myths of modern Scottish identity through examining themes such as kingship, parliamentary culture, and Protestantism.
Speakers include Roger Mason (University of St Andrews), Jenny Wormald (University of Edinburgh), Caroline Erskine (University of St Andrews), Alan MacDonald (University of Dundee) , Gerry Carruthers (University of Glasgow), Ewen Cameron (University of Edinburgh) and Catriona MacDonald (Glasgow Caledonian University).
The conference fee includes lunch, tea or coffee during the breaks, and the wine reception that closes the conference.
Standard registration £50
Student/unwaged £25
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