Authors
Aida Ramos, Aida Ramos
Publication date
2018
Journal
Shifting Capital: Mercantilism and the Economics of the Act of Union of 1707
Pages
83-102
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Description
This chapter examines Article XV, on the Equivalent, in detail. Ostensibly a payment to Scotland in compensation for the losses incurred by the Union, the primary documents examined show that this was not the case. An examination of the calculation of the Equivalent demonstrates the influence of political arithmetic and the positive balance concept. Rather than compensation, it is argued that the Equivalent is a refund from Scotland to Scotland for increased taxes that financed England’s pre-Union debts. Debate over the Equivalent in the Scottish Parliament and contemporary opinion is also discussed. Although seeming to be an advantage given to Scotland, the Equivalent is shown to be another instance of mercantilism where the English ministers built a structural advantage for their taxpayers into the reimbursement.
Scholar articles
A Ramos, A Ramos - Shifting Capital: Mercantilism and the Economics of the …, 2018