The Scottish Political System

James G. Kellas (Author)

9780521368643, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 January 1989

312 pages
21.6 x 13.8 x 2.5 cm, 0.355 kg

'This is a guide to the central and local institutions of government in Scotland and to political activity in that country … a mine of information on Scottish social, economic and political affairs … a useful and informative guide.' British Book News

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.

List of illustrations and tables
List of abbreviations
Geo-political glossary
Preface
1. Scotland as a political system
2. The constitutional inheritance
3. The Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Office
4. The public service in Scotland
5. Parliament
6. Political parties and electoral behaviour
7. Nationalism
8. Devolution
9. Local government
10. Organisations and interest groups
11. Political communication and the mass media
12. The policy-making process
13. The Highland periphery
14. Conclusion: Scotland in a comparative context
Postscript
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Political structure & processes [JPH]