The Scottish Electorate - (1997 General Election and Beyond) by A Brown & D McCrone & L Paterson & Paula Surridge (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The book draws on original academic research to discuss the outcome of the 1997 general election in Scotland and the likely future shape of Scotland's politics. It offers the most rigorous and up-to-date assessment of Scottish electoral politics that is available, setting the 1997 Scottish result in a comparative context with the rest of Britain, and in a context of changing political attitudes and behaviour since the 1970s. The 1997 General Election ranks alongside 1945 and 1979 as a turning point in the post-war United Kingdom. The overwhelming endorsement of a Scottish Parliament in the September 1997 referendum will have dramatic implications for Scottish and British politics. This book enhances understanding of these developments and analyzes the relationship between national identity and the policy agenda as Scotland moves towards a new constitutional future.

From the Back Cover

The book draws on original academic research to discuss the outcome of the 1997 general election in Scotland, and the overwhelming endorsement of a Scottish parliament in the referendum of September 1997. It offers the most rigorous and up-to-date assessment of Scottish electoral politics that is available, setting the 1997 Scottish result in a comparative context with the rest of Britain, and in a context of changing political attitudes and behaviour since the 1970s.

Review Quotes

'The Scottish Electorate is a fascinating and authoritative study of Scottish politics in the momentous year that saw the near elimination of conservative Scotland and the decisive steps taken to establish the first Scottish Parliament for three centuries. As the first election to that Parliament draws ever closer, this snapshot of the electorate in its most recent times of decision will be of compelling interest to all who are curious about or interested in its next decision.' - Neil MacCormick, Professor of Public Law, University of Edinburgh

'The definitive study of what Scots think about politics as devolution approaches. Essential reading for all those interested in either the future of Scotland or the future of the UK.' - John Curtice, Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde and co-director of the ESRC Centre for the Study of Elections and Social Trends

About the Author

ALICE BROWN is in the Department of Politics, University of Edinburgh, and has published widely on Scottish politics and on women in politics and society.

DAVID MCCRONE is Professor of Sociology at the University of Edinburgh, and convenor of the Unit for the Study of Government in Scotland. He has published extensively on the sociology, culture and politics of Scotland. He has carried out major research on aspects of its social structure, work which has been widely disseminated to academic and lay audiences alike.

LINDSAY PATERSON is Professor of Educational Policy at Moray House Institute of Education, and has written widely on Scottish politics and on the sociology of education.

PAULA SURRIDGE is Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. She worked as research assistant to the 1992 Scottish Election Study and has interests in Scottish politics and social attitudes, social stratification and research methods.