The Working Group on Scottish Sport and the Scottish independence

referendum: an unrealised political 'imaginary'?

Stuart Whigham

St Mary's University& Loughborough University

Aims

• Outline key elements of the political discourse analysis framework proposed by Fairclough and Fairclough (2012), before applying them to the policy proposals of the Working Group for Scottish Sport

• Critically consider implications of the 'No' vote in the Scottish independence referendum for the policy proposals of the Working Group for Scottish Sport

• Reflect upon extent to which elements of the Working Group for Scottish Sport’s political 'imaginary' remain a possibility for future sports policy in Scotland

‘Scotland’s Future’ and 2014 - political narratives of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the independence

referendum

PhD Research

‘Scotland’s Future’ and 2014 - political narratives of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the independence referendum

• Aims of project:

– Critically examine predominant political narratives which emanate from political discourse in relation to 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Scottish independence referendum

– Scrutinise extent to which staging of the Commonwealth Games in Scotland is exploited politically in relation to debates about Scotland’s constitutional future

PhD Methodology- Narrative Analysis

• Analysis of production and dissemination of political narratives relating to both Commonwealth Games and Scottish independence referendum

• Scrutinises content of official party political communication sources and production processes underpinning its creation

• Importance of developing coherent narratives to sustain effective political campaigns acknowledged in recent studies of political communication (Roberts and Crossley, 2004; McNair, 2011; Negrine, 2008)

PhD Methodology– Critical Discourse Analysis

• Draws upon principles of CDA to evaluate content, structure and production of political communication relating to Games & referendum (Fairclough, 2003, 2015; Fairclough & Wodak, 1997; Wodak and Meyer, 2009)“Critical discourse analysis sees discourse – language use in speech and writing – as a form of ‘social practice’. Describing discourse as social practice implies a dialectical relationship between a particular discursive event and the situation(s), institution(s) and social structure(s) which frame it.”

(Fairclough & Wodak, 1997: 258)

The Working Group on Scottish Sport

Remit

• “To consider the continuing development of Scottish sport and the opportunities presented by an independent Scotland.”

− Opportunities for Scottish participation & success in future Olympics and Paralympics

− Ensuring Scotland remains a country of sporting excellence - balancing elite development with participation growth

− Opportunities for sharing facilities / resources with other nations− Ensuring international & elite competition for Scottish athletes− Role of Scottish Government as funder & promoter of sport− Nature of governing bodies framework & collaboration

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/Sport/WorkingGroupScottishSport/Remit)

Membership

• Chair - Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish: Former First Minister

• Caroline Baird, MBE: Retired international sprinter• Kim Atkinson: Director of Policy, Scottish Sports Association • Susan Egelstaff: Retired international badminton player • Nanette Mutrie: Chair of Physical Activity for Health, Edinburgh

University • Stephen Morrow: Senior Lecturer in Sport, Stirling University• Sophy Green: Chief Executive of Instant Neighbour and Chair of Social

Enterprise Scotland (SENSCOT)• Tommy Boyle: Athletics coach and Programme Director, Positive

Coaching Scotland

• Secretariat - Scottish Government, Sport Policy Team

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/Sport/WorkingGroupScottishSport/Membership)

Process

• September 2013 – WGSS establishment announced by Shona Robison MSP (Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport at time)

• October 2013 – First meeting of WGSS; discussion papers from Scottish Government and sportscotland

• November 2013 – Publication of WGSS Interim Statement; call for evidence from sporting bodies and other public organisations

• December 2013 – April 2014 – Four further meetings of WGSS; review of sports strategy, facilities & governance; international comparison review (New Zealand, Denmark & Montenegro); drafting of Final Report

• May 2014 – Publication of WGSS Final Report

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/Sport/WorkingGroupScottishSport)

Fairclough & Fairclough’s (2012) Political Discourse Analysis Framework

Fairclough & Fairclough (2012): Political Discourse Analysis

• Political discourse as “primarily a form of argumentation… argumentation for or against particular ways of acting, argumentation that can ground decision” (ibid: 1; original emphasis)

• ‘Pragma-dialectical’ approach (van Eemeren and Grootendorst, 1992, 2004; van Eemeren, 2010) - ‘normative’ as well as ‘descriptive’ level of analysis

• ‘Imaginaries’ (goal premises) & ‘narratives’ (circumstantial premises) represent ‘mental conceptions’ in semiotic or discursive form

Fairclough & Fairclough (2012): Model Overview

(Fairclough & Fairclough, 2012: 45)

Fairclough & Fairclough (2012): Example – ‘The Third Way’

(Fairclough & Fairclough, 2012: 89)

Political ‘Imaginaries’

• Fairclough and Fairclough (2012) state that only ‘imaginaries’ are true form of practical argumentation for future action

• ‘Narratives’ only act as representations of past or present circumstances – counters arguments of Zizek (2009)

• ‘Performative power' of imaginary lies in its emphasis on 'goal premise' of argument - arguer “is performing a status-function declaration which represents the 'imaginary' as 'actual' and he attempts to get it collectively recognized as a factual representation.” (ibid: 108)

• Imaginary has ability to connect present and future - also acts as lens for scrutinising ideological values which shape a political actor's proposals

Working Group on Scottish Sport Final Report

A Political ‘Imaginary’

Summary of Recommendations:‘Yes’ Vote Scenario

• No identifiable barriers for independent Scotland competing at Rio 2016 – early dialogue with IOC & IPC for accreditation if ‘Yes’ vote

• If ‘Yes’ vote, transfer of funding & functions for Scottish athletes Scotland from UK Sport to sportscotland ASAP

• Establish separate single body to act as NOC, NPC & Commonwealth Games Council – also establish Scottish anti-doping agency

• Athletes living or born in Scotland able to choose whether to compete for Team Scotland or Team GB - athletes not born or living in Scotland dependent on dual nationality availability

• If ‘Yes’ vote, review fitness-for-purpose UKCC qualifications – option for separate Scottish coaching framework or sharing UKCC with Sports Coach UK

• If ‘Yes’ vote, build Scotland’s reputation for sporting events delivery by securing international events

Fairclough & Fairclough (2012) Framework:‘Yes’ Vote Scenario

VALUES: Scotland as an independent, sovereign state; political self-determination; promotion of Scottish interests; sport as a tool for economic and social development; ‘civic nationalism’

GOAL: Exploit opportunities of independence for Scottish sport - Rio 2016 representation & success; improve health & well-being; sporting reputation; efficient sporting framework

CIRCUMSTANCES:“Sport is a part of the fabric of Scottish society”; “proud history of sporting engagement and achievement at all levels”; varying levels of autonomy for Scottish sporting organisations within UK political and sporting system; declining sports participation rates; dual representation for Scottish athletes

MEANS-GOAL: Highlight sporting benefits of Scottish independence; remove concerns about Olympic representation

CLAIM: No barriers to Rio 2016 participation with early dialogue with IOC & IPCSingle sporting excellence body as NOC, NPC & CGCAthletes to choose representation with no funding & logistic implications Use of future international sporting events to develop Scottish reputation

Summary of Recommendations:Either Scenario

• Scottish athletes should be able to train and live in Scotland should this be in their best interest and their choice to do so

• Increased accountability for investment and policy for sports & PA promotion in Scotland given participation rate decline – sportscotland KPI should be participation levels

• Increased collaboration between sportscotland, Scottish Govenrment, LAs and leisure trusts following proven models – ‘rationalisation’ of provision required across board

• Improved showcasing of existing sporting facilities in Scotland given recent significant investment for Glasgow 2014

• Increased focus on schools in driving participation – PE, teacher training, sports competitions & opening school estates to public

• Scottish Government should categorise investment in sport as preventative spend – correlation between investment and reduced cost to NHS and other areas of public purse

Fairclough & Fairclough (2012) Framework:‘No’ Vote Scenario

VALUES: Scotland remains part of the UK; enhanced devolution gives ‘best of both worlds’; promotion of Scottish interests; sport as a tool for economic and social development

GOAL: Improved sporting system from excellence to participation levels; improve health & well-being; sporting reputation; efficient sporting framework

CIRCUMSTANCES:“Sport is a part of the fabric of Scottish society”; “proud history of sporting engagement and achievement at all levels”; varying levels of autonomy for Scottish sporting organisations within UK political and sporting system; declining sports participation rates; dual representation for Scottish athletes

MEANS-GOAL: “provide clarity on how Scottish sport can continue to developregardless of the outcome of the referendum”; maintain political impetus for sports policy overhaul; sporting provision ‘rationalisation’

CLAIM: Increase accountability & collaboration between sporting organisationsShowcasing of existing facilities for elite provision and event hostingEmphasis on schools to drive increase in sports participation ratesCategorise sport investment as preventative spend for NHS

The Working Group on Scottish Sport and the Scottish independence

referendum: an unrealised political 'imaginary'?

Stuart Whigham

St Mary's University& Loughborough University

References

• Fairclough, N. (2003) Analysing discourse: textual analysis for social research. London: Routledge.

• Fairclough, N. (2009) A dialectical-relational approach to critical discourse analysis in social research. In R. Wodak, and M. Meyer (eds.) Methods of Critical Discourse Analysis (2nd ed.), London: Sage, pp. 162-186.

• Fairclough, N. (2015) Language and Power (3rd ed.), London: Routledge.

• Fairclough, I. and Fairclough, N. (2012) Political discourse analysis: a method for advanced students. London: Routledge.

• Fairclough, N. and Wodak, R. (1997) Critical discourse analysis. In T. van Dijk (ed.) Introduction to Discourse Studies, London: Sage, pp. 258-284.

• McNair, B. (2011) An Introduction to Political Communication (5th ed.). London: Routledge.

• Negrine, R. (2008) The Transformation of Political Communication. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

• Roberts, J.M., and Crossley, N. (2004) Introduction. In J.M. Roberts, and N. Crossley, (eds.). After Habermas: New Perspectives on the Public Sphere. Oxford: Blackwell. pp1-27.

References

• van Eemeren, F.H. (2010) Strategic maneuvering in argumentative discourse. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

• van Eemeren, F.H., and Grootendorst, R. (1992) Argumentation, communication and fallacies, Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

• van Eemeren, F.H., and Grootendorst, R. (2004) A systematic theory of argumentation: the pragma-dialectical approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

• Wodak, R., and Meyer, M. (2009) Critical discourse analysis: history, agenda, theory and methodology. In R. Wodak, and M. Meyer (eds.) Methods of Critical Discourse Analysis (2nd ed.), London: Sage, pp. 162-186.

• Working Group on Scottish Sport (2013) Working Group on Scottish Sport Interim Statement. Edinburgh: Scottish Government. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0043/00437896.pdf. Accessed on 5/1/2015.

• Working Group on Scottish Sport (2014) Working Group on Scottish Sport: The continuing development of Scottish sport – including the impact of independence. Edinburgh: Scottish Government. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0044/00449792.pdf. Accessed on 5/1/2015.

• Zizek, S. (2009) First as tragedy, then as farce. London: Verso.