First published in 1973, Professor Kellas's account of Scottish government and politics has long been recognised as the standard textbook in the field. Its scope includes a definition of the Scottish political system, and critical descriptions of Scottish administration (central and local), parliamentary activity, parties, electoral behaviour, and pressure groups. Scottish nationalism is given a wider interpretation than usual, covering not only the support for the Scottish National Party, but the manifestations of national feeling in Scottish life generally. The General Election of 1987 provided further evidence of the distinctive character of politics in Scotland, with the Conservative Party reduced to ten MPs, barely sufficient to fill the existing Scottish ministerial posts. In a new postscript Professor Kellas looks at the principal political developments of the period since 1983, and examines the political and constitutional implications of the current imbalance of forces as between Westminster and Scotland.

Margaret Thatcher's premiership from 1979 to 1990 had a profound impact on Scotland. David Stewart analyzes the impact of this period of Conservative government on Scotland, while examining the extent to which Conservative policy under Thatcher represented a break from the 'post-war consensus' in British politics. Focusing on the origins and impact of the poll tax, the campaign to save Ravenscraig steelworks, the sharpening of the North/South divide, the 1984/85 miners' strike, and the balance of power within Scottish civil society, he makes substantial contributions to the debates surrounding the decline of Scottish Unionism, the roots of Scottish devolution, the legacy of Thatcherism, and the changing British constitution.

Written by the cream of academic talent in modern Scottish history and politics, this book provides a comprehensive examination of the past, present and future prospects of the Anglo-Scottish Union. A scholarly but accessible read, its contributors do not shy away from the controversies surrounding the Union. Their cutting-edge research is presented in a lucid style, serving as an excellent introduction to some key aspects of the Anglo-Scottish relationship between 1707 and 2007.Scotland and the Union 1707-2007 covers all the key themes:* Why the Union took place* A growing acceptance of the Union in the 18th century* The impact of Scots' central role in the British Empire* The politics of unionism* The challenge of nationalism* Thatcherism and the Union* Devolution and prospects for the futureNo other volume considers the entire 300-year experience of union - from its origins in the early 18th century to the historic parliamentary victory of the SNP in May 2007.This is the essential text for unders

How much independence can a small country like Scotland have? Lindsay Paterson argues that throughout the last 300 years the nature of Scottish independence has changed frequently. While nationalists have successfully challenged old forms of autonomy, pragmatic unionists have influenced the outcome of these protests, negotiating workable compromises with England and the wider world.

Fully revised, the new edition of this popular textbook provides an authoritative introduction to all aspects of contemporary Scottish politics and gives a full analysis of the SNP's first majority government. Fully revised, the new edition of this popular textbook provides an authoritative introduction to all aspects of contemporary Scottish politics and gives a full analysis of the SNP's first majority government.