It's autumn here in Spain, with much to see and enjoy, but my thoughts turn to my other home country, Scotland. As the possibility of independence draws nearer, some of us are wondering whether this will be the moment when Scotland re-invents herself. The precedents for this are impressive. There was a time, not so long ago, when Scotland was the most inventive country in the world. And, not so long before that, it was Scotland who, during the Scottish Enlightenment, led the world into the global paradigm that we call “modernity”. The central question for me, at this critical point in Scotland’s history, is this: will Scotland once again lead the world, by helping to pave the way into the new global paradigm that is already beginning to replace modernity? Whatever else, this would mean distancing herself from neoliberalism, state socialism, and the world’s current obsession with economic growth.

Do I think Scotland could do this? Yes, undoubtedly, for history has demonstrated Scotland’s unusual inventiveness and creativity. Do I think it will happen? Yes, but only if enough people are willing to step outside the ring of conservatism that stretches right across the Scottish political spectrum.