The struggle for self-determination in Scotland and Bougainville

This paper analyses and compares elements of the political, economic and socio-cultural environments of Scotland and Bougainville as they relate to their respective self-determination movements. While the geographic and socio-economic environments of the two are literally a world apart, the paper argues that the drivers of nationalism and ideological goals are similar.

The paper accordingly contends that Scotland's successful referendum in 2014 provides a useful case study to identify aspirational structures, strategies and processes that could apply to the forthcoming referendum on Bougainville, planned to be conducted before 2020. Drawing on the lessons from Scotland, the paper highlights the potential opportunities for a legitimate, democratic and violence-free referendum on Bougainville within the next three years.

This paper was also published in the Indo-Pacific Strategic Digest series.

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