The Government of Scotland: Public Policy Making after Devolution

by Michael Keating

Overview

A critical challenge to Scotland's new system of government is the making and implementation of public policy. This book offers a comprehensive account of the policy process in contemporary Scotland. There is a review of theories of policy-making, focusing on decentralised systems. The author then identifies the key actors and institutions, patterns of policy making, and the extent of convergence and divergence in comparison with England and other devolved territories.Case studies of policy making in health, higher education, housing, criminal justice, social inclusion and economic development allow the reader to see how policy making works in practice. There is an analysis of financial planning and decision making, and an examination of Scotland's role in UK and European policy networks. Comparisons are made with other devolved governments in Europe and beyond.The book is based on extensive research, including interviews with leaders of interest groups, politicians and officials across the Scottish Government and in the Scottish Parliament, an analysis of spending patterns, an examination of the legislative output, and case studies of policy making.Key Features*Provides the only comprehensive account of policy-making under devolution in Scotland*Places Scotland within a broader theoretical and comparative framework and analyses institutions and processes of policy-making*Contains case studies of specific policy fields and a thorough treatment of financial questions*Emphasis is placed on Scotland's insertion into UK, European and international networksThe second edition includes new and updated information in the following areas: * Election results* Voting by class, etc.* Manifestoes* Scottish Executive (now Government) departments* Background of MSPs* Committees* Expenditure dataThere is also updating to take account of the change in government in 2007, including substantially revised material on intergovernmental relations and on Eu

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780748638499
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
Publication date:	03/17/2010
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael Keating is Professor of Politics at the Universityof Aberdeen and the Universityof Edinburgh. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and an Academician of the Social Sciences. He has published extensively on European politics, nationalism and regionalism.

Table of Contents

Expanded Contents List vi

List of Tables and Figures ix

Preface xi

1 Public Policy and Devolution 1

2 The New Scottish Political System 17

3 Publics, Parties and Elections 44

4 The Policy Environment 77

5 Government and Parliament 110

6 Intergovernmental Policy Making 138

7 Getting and Spending 168

8 Policy Making in Practice 202

9 New Politics, New Policies? 254

Bibliography 263

Index 281

Editorial Reviews

Second editions are often first editions plus some cosmetic changes and a few updates. Michael Keating's second edition of The Government of Scotland is much more than this. Of course it brings things up to date, including a nuanced analysis of the impact an SNP Government has had on politics and policy in Scotland. But it also develops much more strongly the theme of how politics and policy have become re-scaled within the state. Scotland appears here as an especially interesting case study of the territorialisation of 'policy community' and the embedding of a distinctive policy style. This is one of the best books on devolution so far.

Charlie Jeffery

This is very well written and a timely piece of work, providing a valuable addition to the literature emerging to reflect on Scottish politics in the post-1999 period.

Political Studies Review