News and opinion

In a recent article for The Guardian, Michael Keating discusses the split on independence in Scotland, and how a lengthy constitutional stalemate seems likely.

Following the Scottish Parliamentary Elections, Stephen Tierney notes that the political landscape remains both uncertain and challenging and may well remain fraught for a long time to come.

Alistair Clark explores the relevance of small parties in the upcoming election, arguing that while small parties tend to have fluctuating fortunes, they have become a permanent presence in Scottish politics. For more on small parties, see Alistair's contribution to our recent ebook.

Fraser McMillan, University of Glasgow, discusses the events over the last few weeks relating to Alex Salmond, the First Minister and the SNP, asking what will be the impact on the SNP's prospects at May's election?

From the UK and a Changing Europe's recent report 'Brexit and Beyond', Ailsa Henderson, University of Edinburgh discusses the factors that help to explain why current support for independence is high, and looks ahead to the Scottish Parliament elections in May, anticipating the themes of the campaign.

As an epic year for global public policy reaches its end, Richard Parry discusses the way that the pandemic has impacted other aspects of the political cycle. 

Ross Bond, University of Edinburgh, examines the demographic structure and history of Scotland, and the attitudes, identities and experiences of its people.

David McCrone analyses the politics of national identity in Scotland comparing it to England's sense of national identity for his chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Scottish Politics.

Michael Keating, University of Aberdeen, discusses requirements for small states to thrive, arguing that small states do equally or better than larger states.