Lightbulbs

The Scottish Review asked a selection
of contributors to propose an idea for
the public good of Scotland

1

Permission to criticise

Walter Humes

We have been set a difficult task – to come up with a specific proposal for the public good of Scotland. As an academic, my natural inclination is towards the theoretical rather than the practical. It is tempting, therefore, to try to redefine the remit and to argue that what is needed first of all is a careful analysis of Scotland’s present condition as a precursor to practical action. As history demonstrates, powerful ideas – I hesitate to use the phrase 'big ideas', given David Cameron's recent invocation of that concept – can be instruments of change. Look at Christianity, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment – all movements which were underpinned by deep philosophical values but which also found expression in all sorts of practical ways, in social structures and moral codes, in the arts and literature.
     I do firmly believe that we need such analysis and that, properly carried out, it would be an uncomfortable experience for us all. It would challenge many of the cherished myths of Scottish society: that we are seriously committed to egalitarian and democratic principles; that we are open-minded and tolerant of difference; that we have public institutions that genuinely serve the interests of ordinary citizens; and that the dominant values in our society are conducive to the good life. All of these assumptions seem to me to be highly questionable and in need of serious interrogation.
     But that is a long-term project. What might be done in the meantime? The financial state of the nation means that options are limited. Given better times, there would be no shortage of possibilities: a properly integrated system of public transport; a major regeneration programme to bring life back into the centres of many of Scotland's deeply depressing towns; a programme of well-designed social housing which avoids the mistakes of the past; a major drive against adult illiteracy to promote self-esteem and counter the dependency culture; early identification of and support for vulnerable children who are at risk of inter-generational damage.
     However, all of these would be expensive and thus are unlikely to happen. Can the public good be promoted by something that is cost neutral? Michael Sandel, professor of government at Harvard, who gave the 2009 Reith lectures, has argued for a new politics of the common good. He suggests that there is a moral vacuum in political debate because of the dominance of market thinking, signalled in the prevalence of economic metaphors in public discourse.
     I would argue that one of the most important public goods in a democracy is freedom of speech, the ability to comment critically on matters of public interest. It has been progressively eroded by a variety of means: by the news management techniques of government and of public and private institutions; by the concentration of the media in the hands of a limited number of powerful global players; by the activities of public relations and reputation management companies; and by threats of litigation against those who dare to criticise celebrities. These trends have served to constrain people who might previously have fulfilled an important role in alerting us to issues requiring careful scrutiny. Thus doctors are often muzzled by NHS managers, teachers by local authorities, and academics by the new breed of 'content-free' bureaucrats who now run universities. Instead of open discussion, we have an army of professional liars who massage statistics and distort the truth.
     So what I am proposing is a strengthening of 'public interest' defences in social and political commentary and the statutory curtailment of practices which serve to silence dissent. In this way, we could begin to open up the kind of serious debate that is needed to address Scotland's many problems. To be effective, however, we would need more people prepared to speak out and to show the kind of intellectual and moral courage which has been the hallmark of the great social reformers of the past. In this way we might begin to reconnect modern Scotland with those values which have motivated and inspired previous generations.

Tomorrow: Rose Galt

Walter Humes is research professor in education at the University of the West of Scotland