Scotland’s approach to development
Published: 27 February 2024
Research insight
University of Glasgow researchers present research findings on sub-state diplomacy to Scottish Government officials.
Dr Bernhard Reinsberg (University of Glasgow) and Dr Sebastian Dellepiane (Strathclyde University) presented findings from a research program on sub-state diplomacy at the event ‘Sub-state approaches to Foreign Policy and International Development’ hosted by the Scottish Government’s International School. The event, which took place on Wednesday 14 February 2024, brought together over 115 Scottish Government officials to hear more about why and how sub-state governments like Scotland engage in international development cooperation.
As discussed in a related blogpost for the Scottish Council on Global Affairs, the researchers collected data from 195 European regions drawing on official reports, websites, and interviews with government representatives to identify those regions that engage in international development cooperation. They found that over 70 European regions have established capacities for international development cooperation, among them prominent cases like Bavaria, Catalonia, Flanders, or Scotland. A core claim of sub-state actors is to ‘do development differently’. In fact, they typically undertake small-scale projects in lower-income countries, through civil society organizations in areas such as education, energy, health, and water. Despite their small scale, these efforts can make important contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals—a framework of 17 goals that guides policymaking in both developing countries and developed countries.
The researchers were also interested to identify the key drivers of sub-state engagement in international development cooperation. Comparative analysis across European regions suggests that economic interests and the control of immigration can be powerful drivers of international development cooperation. In other cases, however, these efforts are linked to nation-building projects. The Scottish case provides a vivid illustration: By developing a distinctively ‘Scottish’ approach to development cooperation, the Scottish government has reinforced its nation-building project by nurturing an identity of solidarity at home and abroad.
These findings offer a timely reflection on current policy approaches as the Scottish Government recently published its International Engagement Strategy, which outlines the principles and priorities underlying its foreign policymaking—from tackling climate change, increasing trade and investment, promoting human rights and sustainable development globally. The strategy continues Scotland’s long-standing commitment to be a good ‘global citizen’, shaping not only the what but also the how. With strong roots in a feminist approach to international relations (FAIR), Scotland’s international development activities seek to promote human rights and sustainable development in partnership with the communities in the Global South.
During the interactive Q&A session of the event, the researchers discussed with Scottish officials the opportunities and challenges of the Scottish approach to development. Specifically, Scotland’s development program is ambitious and offers new ideas on promoting sustainable development that inspire other donors. Yet, the Scottish government’s capacity to deliver remains limited, despite growing professionalization. Furthermore, further expansion of Scotland’s development program rests on coordinating with the UK government to ensure policy coherence and on maintaining cross-partisan consensus for international development. This will not only require continued leadership from policymakers but also evidence of its long-term effectiveness and efficiency.
Further reading
Localizing sustainable development: Why sub-state governments become increasingly engaged in international development cooperation (Scottish Council Global Affairs Insight)
The domestic sources of sub-state foreign policymaking: determinants of subnational development cooperation across European regions (published in the Journal of European Public Policy)
Paradiplomacy as nation-building: The politics of Scotland’s international development policy (1999-2022) (published in the British Journal of Politics and International Relations)
First published: 27 February 2024