The impact of external shocks upon a peripheral economy : war and oil in twentieth century Shetland
This thesis, within the context of the impact of external shocks on a peripheral economy, offers a soci- economic analysis of the effects of both World Wars and North Sea oil upon Shetland. The assumption is, especially amongst commentators of oil, that the impact of external shocks upon a peripheral economy will be disruptive of equilibrium, setting in motion changes which would otherwise not have occurred. By questioning the classic core-periphery debate, and re-assessing the position of Shetland - an island location labelled 'peripheral' because of the traditional nature of its economic base and distance from the main centres of industrial production - it is possible to challenge this supposition. This thesis attempts a comparison of both the economic and social effects of the three major shocks, deploying oral sources as well as more conventional quantitative material. The thesis questions whether Shetland's apparent 'peripherality' has any historical foundations. Greater exposure to the world through trade, seafaring travel and emigration ensured that the three external shocks of this century had less permanent social consequences than may have been anticipated. Both World Wars brought naval and military
Black, Barbara Ann
History
The impact of external shocks upon a peripheral economy : war and oil in twentieth century Shetland. This thesis, within the context of the impact of external shocks on a peripheral economy, offers a soci- economic analysis of the effects of both World Wars and North Sea oil upon Shetland. The assumption is, especially amongst commentators of oil, that the impact of external shocks upon a peripheral economy will be disruptive of equilibrium, setting in motion changes which would otherwise not have occurred. By questioning the classic core-periphery debate, and re-assessing the position of Shetland - an island location labelled 'peripheral' because of the traditional nature of its economic base and distance from the main centres of industrial production - it is possible to challenge this supposition. This thesis attempts a comparison of both the economic and social effects of the three major shocks, deploying oral sources as well as more conventional quantitative material. The thesis questions whether Shetland's apparent 'peripherality' has any historical foundations. Greater exposure to the world through trade, seafaring travel and emigration ensured that the three external shocks of this century had less permanent social consequences than may have been anticipated. Both World Wars brought naval and military
impact external shock upon peripheral economy war oil shetland within_context impact external shock peripheral economy offer economic analysis effect world_wars north_sea oil upon shetland assumption especially amongst commentator oil impact external shock upon peripheral economy disruptive equilibrium set_motion change would_otherwise occur question classic core periphery debate assessing position shetland island location label peripheral traditional nature economic base distance main centre industrial production possible challenge supposition attempt comparison economic_social effect three_major shock deploy oral_source well conventional quantitative material question_whether shetland apparent historical foundation greater exposure world trade seafaring travel emigration ensure external shock century less permanent social_consequence may anticipate world_wars bring naval military