First published in 1973, Professor Kellas' account of Scottish government and politics has long been recognized as the standard textbook in the field. Its scope includes a definition of the Scottish political system, and critical descriptions of Scottish administration, parliamentary activity, parties, electoral behavior, and pressure groups. Scottish nationalism is given a wider interpretation than usual, covering not only the support for the Scottish National Party, but the manifestations of national feeling in Scottish life. The General Election of 1987 provided further evidence of the distinctive character of politics in Scotland. In a new postscript Professor Kellas looks at the principal political developments of the period since 1983, and examines the political and constitutional developments posed by the current imbalance of forces between Westminster and Scotland.