This is a student-friendly textbook covering all the major features of Scottish politics and informed by the latest research and debates. It is student-friendly: lively writing and plenty of features to aid learning. It is comprehensive: provides a full account of Scottish government in a multi-level system and chapters on all the key political institutions. It is modern: full coverage of the May 2007 elections and the initial performance of the Salmond government. It is original: based on the latest research including the authors' own.This is a major new textbook providing a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of Scottish politics and policy and assessment of the new institutions of devolved government.

"[A] comprehensive and highly convincing book. It will prove useful for anyone interested in Scottish politics almost regardless of their previous knowledge." - Johannes Fritz, Political Studies 'McGarvey and Cairney have written a comprehensive and highly convincing book. It will prove useful for anyone interested in Scottish Politics.' - Political Studies Review 'McGarvey and Cairney have written a comprehensive and highly convincing book. It will prove useful for anyone interested in Scottish politics almost regardless of their previous knowledge.' The Authors Journal Companion

NEIL MCGARVEY is Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government, University of Strathclyde, UK. He has published widely in the field of Scottish politics, local government and public administration. PAUL CAIRNEY is Lecturer in Politics, School of Social Sciences, University of Aberdeen. His publicationson Scottish politicshave includedworkonthe Scottish Parliament, intergovernmental relationsand the social background of elites.