Scotland's Decision: Can Scotland thrive as an oil economy?

Many discussions about Scotland’s economic future seem to revolve around oil and gas.

Huge reserves of black gold lie under the North Sea off Scotland’s coastline. Nationalists argue that the oil hasn’t benefitted Scotland because it’s remained part of the United Kingdom. On the other hand, critics say an independent Scotland would rely too heavily on North Sea oil revenues which are depleting and are subject to the fluctuations of world oil prices.

Nevertheless the question remains: is the nationalist dream of becoming a small, independent and thriving economy realistic in the long-term?