Devolution - Scottish Answers to Scottish Questions?

Has Devolution reconnected Scots to the political process?One of the core aims of the Scottish Parliament was that it would provide 'Scottish Answers to Scottish Questions'. This book asks how far that aim has been fulfilled, providing an independent, dispassionate account of what Scots think about some of the major social, moral and political questions being faced by Scottish policymakers and society.Looking at what Scots make of their experience of devolution so far, it asks whether the policies pursued by the Scottish Parliament have been in tune with Scottish public opinion, and how far differences in attitudes within Scotland reflect traditional social divisions.Community care, housing, drugs and the devolution project itself have been the subject of recent public and political controversy - attitudes towards these issues are explored in the first part of the book. The second part focuses on a number of key divisions within Scottish society including religion, class, age and national identity and asks how far these are reflected in differences in social and political attitudes among Scots.Based on the annual Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, this book presents a unique and authoritative insight to the state of public opinion in devolved Scotland.Key Features:*Written by the leading figures in the area, including the prominent John Curtice (with UK-wide reputation in the media)*Foreword from Gordon Brewer, presenter of Newsnight Scotland*Authoritative confrontation of the core aim of the Scottish Parliament, asking whether it actually has provided 'Scottish Answers to Scottish Questions' - provides a balance to the media-fuelled ongoing debate about the value of the Parliament to the Scottish people*Asks what Scots think about some of the major social, moral and political questions being faced today*Covers key contemporary issues in the public eye - community care, housing and drugs*Explores social divisions along lines of

Table of Contents:
Foreword; Gordon Brewer; 1. Introduction; The Editors; 2. Westminster votes; Holyrood judgement?; Catherine Bromley and John Curtice; 3. Does the Community Care?; Lisa Curtice and Alison Petch; 4. Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities; Ade Kearns and Alison Parkes; 5. Attitudes towards Illegal Drugs; Neil McKeganey, Maria Gannon and Gordon Hay (University of Glasgow); 6. Who are we? Identity in Scotland; David McCrone, Michael Rosie and Ross Bond; 7. Does Religion Matter? Do we believe in anything anymore?; Steve Bruce and Tony Glendenning; 8. Does Class Still Make a Difference?; Paula Surridge; 9. Disengaged individualists? Young People in Scotland; Kerstin Hinds and Alison Park; 10. Conclusion; The Editors; Technical Appendix.

About the Author :
Catherine Bromley is Senior Researcher, National Centre for Social Research, Scotland. Co-author of Public Attitudes Towards Taxation (Tha Fabian Society, 2000) and Revisiting Public Perceptions of Local Government (DETR, 2000). John Curtice is a Professor of Politics and Director of the Social Statistics Laboratory at Strathclyde University, and Research Consultant to the Scottish Centre for Social Research. He is a regular commentator in the Scottish and British media. Publications include The Rise of New Labour, (with Heath, A. & Jowell, R.) (Oxford University Press, 2001) and New Scotland, New Politics? (with Paterson, L., Brown, A., Hinds, K., McCrone, D., Park, A., Sproston, K., & Surridge, P.) (Polygon, 2001). Kerstin Hinds is Senior Researcher, National Centre for Social Research. Co-author of Women's Social Attitudes (Cabinet Office, 2000), Trends in Attitudes to Health Care (National Centre, 2000) and New Scotland, New Politics (Polygon at Edinburgh, 2001). Alison Park is at the National Centre for Social Research, London. Co-author of The Rise of New Labour (Oxford University Press, 2001) and New Scotland, New Politics? (Polygon at Edinburgh, 2001).

Review :
Presents a wealth of public opinion data that relate directly to recent and ongoing executive policies. There is a definite need for this book both to assess the state of post-devolution Scotland and to reflect and shape public attitudes and political debate. Whilst of obvious academic interest, the analyses will have a broader utility in helping to frame public policy debates in the Scottish Parliament and Executive ! Given the writing and analytical skills of the various authors - let alone their academic standing - this text will have cross-over appeal and be essential reading on a number of politics/sociology courses at university level. -- Dr Peter Lynch, University of Stirling Presents a wealth of public opinion data that relate directly to recent and ongoing executive policies. There is a definite need for this book both to assess the state of post-devolution Scotland and to reflect and shape public attitudes and political debate. Whilst of obvious academic interest, the analyses will have a broader utility in helping to frame public policy debates in the Scottish Parliament and Executive ! Given the writing and analytical skills of the various authors - let alone their academic standing - this text will have cross-over appeal and be essential reading on a number of politics/sociology courses at university level.