A diaspora is known to be helpful to the homeland. Wealth and innovation can flow back if people move to a wealthy and innovative country. And a spirit of empathy can benefit the homeland psychologically. Of course, the reason for the diaspora in the first place is usually bad; Highland clearances, potato famines and technical brain drains. Most people don’t just move for the sake of it.
As both an Irish citizen and a British citizen born in Scotland, I ask myself the question, “which country has made the most of their diaspora?” I am not sure there is a provable answer. My instinct suggests the Irish have the edge.
Ireland’s diaspora successes
The Irish are the winners in relation to the most successful global country in the last century, the United States of America. About 33 million US inhabitants claim to have Irish backgrounds. Only 9 million claim to have Scottish backgrounds, but this is estimated to be under-reported by 10 million. The Scots seem more reticent, perhaps lazier, to market their roots. The Irish have installed Irishness into the American culture. Green beer, Guinness, pipe bands, folk music and marches on St Patrick’s Day. This clearly beats St Andrew’s Day and the Highland games. They have exploited the sympathy between the Irish and Americans for the successful fight against English colonialism. The Irish Development Agency (IDA) has seven USA offices, while Scottish Development International (SDI) has four. Green beats Blue.
So what about the diasporas in the rest of the world?
The Irish claim to have a bigger worldwide diaspora. 50-80 million versus an estimate of 28-40 million Scots. Some of this difference comes from confusion over how to classify the Ulster Scots or Scots-Irish. The Irish count them as Irish.
Why does this matter, you may ask?
Well there is really only one reason why this is important. Realising a vision such as that proposed in Scotland 2070: Healthy, Wealthy and Wise requires funding; for reforestation, the new Northeast trading passage, greater health and marine sectors, more R&D, and extra leadership talent from returning experienced Scots.
How can Scotland use its diaspora to gain these extra resources outside of traditional investment by the UK?
One obvious place is Canada. While not as wealthy as the USA, it is still wealthier than Scotland. The link between Canada and Scotland is historically strong. In Canada, there are 4.8 million people who claim to have Scottish descent, versus 4.3 million Irish. The SDI has two offices versus the IDA’s one. Nova Scotia means ‘New Scotland’, after all! Opportunities in forestry, the melting Arctic ice, oil and gas, could all involve the Scottish diaspora.
Another obvious target is small oil-related countries with Sovereign Funds. Ireland has no oil and Scotland has created an expat community in oil nations who could become greater investors. We see Norway, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar provide the best opportunity before the golden age of oil and gas is over.
So, it is tempting to think of the USA, especially Silicon Valley, as the place where Scotland has underexploited its ‘hidden’ diaspora. But we believe that Norway, Canada, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar are where Scotland could have an edge over Ireland, before it is too late.
Featured image credit: Hillary Sillitto