Brexit Prompt: While scholars broadly characterize Brexit as “far-reaching” (Gamble 2016; Jones 2018;
Sanders 2018), some have argued that “[post Brexit] [t]he breakup of the UK has become even more likely, if
not yet certain, than it was before.”, suggesting that Brexit has made it more likely that a
second Scottish independence referendum will not only be called, but will also pass. Based on your
understanding of the British state, do you agree that Brexit has made it more likely that the United Kingdom will
“break up”? Why/Why not?
To address this prompt, your paper should course readings and lecture material to do the following:
1. Briefly explain why the Brexit referendum was successful .
2. Identify the institutional attributes of the British state which could promote unraveling in the
aftermath of Brexit .
3. Identify the socio-cultural consequences which could promote “unraveling”?
4. Use the above to make an argument for whether Brexit has made it “more likely” that the
United Kingdom will “break up”.
