'Second editions are often first editions plus some cosmetic changes and a few updates. Michael Keating's second edition of The Government of Scotland is much more than this. Of course it brings things up to date, including a nuanced analysis of the impact an SNP Government has had on politics and policy in Scotland. But it also develops much more strongly the theme of how politics and policy have become re-scaled within the state. Scotland appears here as an especially interesting case study of the territorialisation of 'policy community' and the embedding of a distinctive policy style. This is one of the best books on devolution so far.'

Charlie Jeffery, Head of School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh

A critical challenge to Scotland's new system of government is the making and implementation of public policy. This book offers a comprehensive account of the policy process in contemporary Scotland. There is a review of theories of policy-making, focusing on decentralised systems. The author then identifies the key actors and institutions, patterns of policy making, and the extent of convergence and divergence in comparison with England and other devolved territories.

Case studies of policy making in health, higher education, housing, criminal justice, social inclusion and economic development allow the reader to see how policy making works in practice. There is an analysis of financial planning and decision making, and an examination of Scotland's role in UK and European policy networks. Comparisons are made with other devolved governments in Europe and beyond.

Michael Keating is Professor of Politics at the University of Aberdeen and was previously Professor at the European University Institute, Florence. He has taught in several countries and published widely on nationalism, regionalism and public policy.