The 2014 Referendum on Scottish independence sparked debate on every dimension of modern statehood. Levels of public interest and engagement were unprecedented, as demonstrated by record-breaking voter turnout. Yet aside from Trident, the issue of security was relatively neglected in the campaigns, and there remains a lack of literature on the topic. In this volume Andrew Neal has collated a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives on security and constitutional change in Scotland and the UK, including writing from experts in foreign policy analysis, intelligence studies, parliamentary studies, and journalism. Security in a Small Nation provides an illuminating analysis of the politics of security. Its authors reflect on a number of related issues including international comparisons, alliances, regional cooperation, terrorism, intelligence sharing, democratic oversight, and media coverage. It has a particular focus on what security means for small states and democratic politics. The book draws on current debates about the extent of intelligence powers and their implications for accountability, privacy, and human rights. It examines the foreign and security policy of other small states through the prism of Scottish independence, providing unique insight into the bureaucratic and political processes associated with multi-level security governance. These contributions provide a detailed picture of the changing landscape of security, including the role of diverse and decentralised agencies, and new security interdependencies within and between states. The analysis presented in this book will inform ongoing constitutional debates in the UK and the study of other secessionist movements around the world. Security in a Small Nation is essential reading for any follower of UK and Scottish politics, and those with an interest in security and nationhood on a global scale.

A brand-new history of Scotland's radical war for democracy in 1820.

The UK’s Changing Democracy presents a uniquely democratic perspective on all aspects of UK politics, at the centre in Westminster and Whitehall, and in all the devolved nations. The 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU marked a turning point in the UK’s political system. In the previous two decades, the country had undergone a series of democratic reforms, during which it seemed to evolve into a more typical European liberal democracy. The establishment of a Supreme Court, adoption of the Human Rights Act, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolution, proportional electoral systems, executive mayors and the growth in multi-party competition all marked profound changes to the British political tradition. Brexit may now bring some of these developments to a juddering halt. The UK’s previous ‘exceptionalism’ from European patterns looks certain to continue indefinitely. ‘Taking back control’ of regulations, trade, immigration and much more is the biggest change in UK governance for half a century. It has already produced enduring crises for the party system, Parliament and the core executive, with uniquely contested governance over critical issues, and a rapidly changing political landscape. Other recent trends are no less fast-moving, such as the revival of two-party dominance in England, the re-creation of some mass membership parties and the disruptive challenges of social media. In this context, an in-depth assessment of the quality of the UK’s democracy is essential. Each of the 2018 Democratic Audit’s 37 short chapters starts with clear criteria for what democracy requires in that part of the nation’s political life and outlines key recent developments before a SWOT analysis (of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) crystallises the current situation. A small number of core issues are then explored in more depth. Set against the global rise of debased semi-democracies, the book’s approach returns our focus firmly to the big issues around the quality and sustainability of the UK’s liberal democracy.

Politics in Scotland is an authoritative introduction to the contemporary political landscape in Scotland and an essential text for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Scottish Politics. Written by leading experts in the field, it is coherently organised to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of a range of themes in contemporary Scottish Politics. Key topics include: • Government and electoral behaviour. • Representation and political parties in Scotland. • Public policy and Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the world. • Scottish politics both in the run up to and after the 2014 referendum. • The Future of Scottish government and politics. This textbook will be essential reading for students of Scottish politics, British Politics, devolution, government and policy.

Exam Board: SQA Level: Higher Subject: Modern Studies First Teaching: August 2018 First Exam: June 2019 A course textbook covering the most recent political developments and fully updated to take on board the latest SQA course assessment changes. Written specifically to match the Higher syllabus offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Democracy in Scotland and the UK covers all of the topics that students will encounter in this unit of the course: UK constitutional arrangements, representative democracy and the political process, electoral systems and voting behaviour. - Questions to help monitor progress throughout the topics - Case studies and fact files to focus attention on specific areas - Assessment guides to prepare students for the final exam

Exam Board: SQA Level: National 5 Subject: Modern Studies First Teaching: September 2017 First Exam: Summer 2018 This second edition comprehensively covers the changes made to course content and prepare students to cope with the increased emphasis on knowledge and understanding in the new National 5 exam. - Analyses what it means to live in a democracy - Defines representation in the Scottish and UK Parliaments - Explains voting systems and election campaigns in the UK

Ensure that students understand recent issues and debates in Scotland and the UK - and know how to use these examples effectively in the National 5/Higher Modern Studies and Higher Politics exams. br” Review the key developments in Scottish and UK politics in 2019, with expert analysis that supports revision, the assignments and the question papersbrbr” Consolidate understanding and practise for the exams with short knowledge-check questions at the end of every articlebrbr” Easily see how each article links to the National 5/Higher Modern Studies and Higher Politics specifications so you know how and when to reference thembrbr

Marking the first twenty years of the Scottish Parliament, this collection of essays assesses its impact on Scotland, the UK and Europe, and compares progress against pre-devolution hopes and expectations. Bringing together the voices of ministers and advisers, leading political scientists and historians, commentators, journalists and former civil servants, it builds an authoritative account of what the Scottish Parliament has made of devolution and an essential guide to the powers Holyrood may need for Scotland to flourish in an increasingly uncertain world.

Exam Board: SQA Level: Higher Subject: Modern Studies First Teaching: August 2018 First Exam: June 2019 Updated specifically to match the SQA Higher syllabus for examination from 2019 onwards, this textbook covers the two issues that students have the opportunity to study in this section of the course: Social Inequality and Crime and the Law. · Questions to help monitor progress throughout the topics · Case studies and fact files to focus attention on specific areas · Assessment guidance to prepare students for the final exam