Between two unions

This book is the first in-depth comparative study of Scottish devolution and the first to analyse the impact of the European dimension. With focus on the periods leading up to the referendums in 1979 and 1997, it investigates positions and strategies of political parties and interest groups and how these influenced constitutional preferences at mass level and ultimately the referendum results themselves. Based on rigorous analysis of an extensive body of quantitative and qualitative sources, it builds a ground-breaking argument that challenges the widespread thesis that support for devolution was a consequence of Conservative rule between 1979 and 1997. It shows that the decisive factors were changing attitudes to independence and the role of the European dimension in shaping them. The book is essential reading for students and scholars of British, European and comparative politics from third-year undergraduate level courses upwards and will also appeal to lay readers interested in contemporary affairs.

Contents:
1.Introduction
Part I: The 1970s
2.Parties
3.Interest groups
4.Public opinion
5.Failed Europeanisation in the 1970s
Part II: The 1990s
6.Parties
7.Interest groups
8.Public opinion
9.Successful Europeanisation in the 1990s
Part III: Conclusions
10.Explaining Europeanisation and devolution
11.Epilogue: a new Scotland in a changing Europe
Index