Brexit Final prompt
Brexit Prompt: While scholars broadly characterize Brexit as “far-reaching” (Gamble 2016; Jones 2018;
Sanders 2018), some have argued that “[post Brexit] [t]he breakup of the UK has become even more likely, if
not yet certain, than it was before.” (Gamble 2016, pg. 19), suggesting that Brexit has made it more likely that a
second Scottish independence referendum will not only be called, but will also pass. Based on your
understanding of the British state, do you agree that Brexit has made it more likely that the United Kingdom will
“break up”? Why/Why not?
To address this prompt, your paper should course readings and lecture material to do the following:
1. Briefly explain why the Brexit referendum was successful (i.e., Which factors contributed to its passage? Who voted for Brexit? Who opposed it?).
2. Identify the institutional attributes of the British state which could promote unraveling in the aftermath of Brexit (i.e., HINT: How does the political context of the UK as a“multinational/centralized” state shape prospects? How does devolution shape post Brexit political realities?)
3. Identify the socio-cultural consequences which could promote “unraveling”?
4. Use the above to make an argument for whether Brexit has made it “more likely” that the
United Kingdom will “break up”.
Requirements: The essay should be 6-8 (double spaced) pages in length, use 12-point font, apply standard
margins, use course readings to support your argument, and should contain a bibliography.
