'An important and necessary book on a vital topic. James Mitchell's expertise and original research produce an authoritative analysis, and one which questions assumed inevitabilities in the UK's past, present and future.'
Richard English, Professor of Politics, Queen's University, Belfast
List of tables
Preface
1. Constituting the UK
2. Approaching to Arch-angelic: administrative devolution in Scotland
3. Staggering forward little by little: Administrative devolution in Wales
4. Encouraging conformity, not emphasizing differences: Northern Ireland
5. A chaos of areas and bodies: The English dimension
6. The settled will of the Scottish people
7. Devolution is a process: Wales
8. In search of legitimacy: Northern Ireland since 1972
9. The English Question
10. Ever looser union
Bibliography and sources
Index