Scottish Independence

[TheGlobalizer]

I said no, largely on the premise that England (London) provides a lot of same-state economic access and heft.

The devolution/autonomy was good for Scotland, however.

[TheGlobalizer]

Seriously, Phil, can you say that Sardinia is a natural part of Italy?

1.  The Kingdom of Sardinia was the first kingdom in the process of unification of Italy.  The first king of unified Italy was from the Kingdom of Sardinia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Emmanuel_II

2.  My girlfriend is from Sardinia and I've visited.  Culturally, it is virtually indistinguishable from Rome, with a slower pace and some regional pride and cultural heritage (typical of Italian regions).  The shared history goes back thousands of years to pre-Roman times.  There are some strong non-Italian influences (Catalan, north African) but the same is true for northern Italy to an even greater degree.

I'd actually argue it is a more natural fit in Italy than Scotland is in the UK, but that's just me.

[TheGlobalizer]

Sardinia was a pointless, random, artificial outlying possession of that country too - more so than within united Italy, actually (certainly a much better fit than Corse with France!) Which is why (though that was its official name, as the title of King was attached to Sardinia) no one in their right mind ever calls that country anything but Piemont or Piemont-Savoy.

Sardinia was not a bolt-on possession -- the Kingdom's capital was in Cagliari before it moved to Turin.  I'll grant the greater continental cultural connectivity by way of the Savoy relationships but I'm not sure that's the entire analysis, particularly given more dramatic examples in northern Italy (German-speaking areas and the like).

Sardinia's status as an autonomous region within Italy is entirely appropriate.  For it to be considered more naturally separate would imply that most modern nations should be broken up.

[TheGlobalizer]

within Italy is entirely appropriate.  For it to be considered more naturally separate would imply that most modern nations should be broken up.

As was being advocated by certain posters.

I like the devolution / confederation model.  States within states within states.  Sardinia is autonomous yet within the greater Italian sphere, which is within the greater European sphere.  Nifty.

I just lol when people say Sardinia isn't naturally part of Italy -- whether it was originally is debatable (though it still was within the Italian sphere regardless) but that's not really a salient point in 2011.  Sardinia is basically mainland Italy + more sheep + nuraghi.

[TheGlobalizer]

In other words, you like the Welsh or current Scottish situation. (And yes, the right thing for Sardinia too. Though a bit more autonomy wouldn't hurt, I think.)

Yes, and yes.  Most Sardinians would favor a bit more autonomy, but the Sardinian parties don't do particularly well or particularly stand out from the context of the PD/PdL choice.