Manchester University Press The British Question

There is a sustained interest amongst students of British politics, as well as an informed public, about the future state of the United Kingdom. The issue at stake is whether the UK's multinational institutions can endure the challenge of political nationalism, especially in Scotland. This has become known as the British Question. This book is designed as both a framework text - setting out concepts by which to understand the British Question - and a synthetic text - providing a digest of significant academic work on historical, conceptual and political matters relevant to that question. The value of the book is its unique focus on the character, resources and function of the United Kingdom as a whole. It will be essential reading for students and teachers of British politics looking for a coherent interpretation of what is at stake when the future of the United Kingdom is being debated. From the Inside Flap The British Question is shorthand for a range of questions about history, society and politics in the United Kingdom and it has become - some would say again - one of the key issues of public debate. It is a question which involves issues such as allegiance, loyalty, identity, authority, legitimacy and belief, issues that together constitute national belonging. This book clarifies what is at stake in addressing this question and does so within a conceptual framework that makes it intelligible to a wider readership. It is different from most other texts on territorial politics because of its focus on the United Kingdom as a whole, its character, resources and function. The book is organised into three sections which examine the subject from the different aspects of history, theory and politics. This structure allows those whose interest is particular historical, theoretical or political to focus on one part. Nevertheless, it is the argument of the book that these distinctive debates are related and that a coherent understanding of the British Question requires some familiarity with all three. The intention of the book is to work towards a fuller understanding of the arguments in order to make sense of the challenges to, but also the continuing strength of, the United Kingdom. This book will appeal to students of British politics who want a framework text, which clarifies the British Question, and a synthetic text which provides a digest of significant academic work the subject. From the Back Cover The British Question is shorthand for a range of questions about history, society and politics in the United Kingdom and it has become - some would say 'again' - one of the key issues of public debate. It is a question which involves issues such as allegiance, loyalty, identity, authority, legitimacy and belief, issues that together constitute national belonging. This book clarifies what is at stake in addressing this question and does so within a conceptual framework that makes it intelligible to a wider readership. It is different from most other texts on territorial politics because of its focus on the United Kingdom as a whole, its character, resources and function. The book is organised into three sections which examine the subject from the different aspects of history, theory and politics. This structure allows those whose interest is particular -historical, theoretical or political - to focus on one part. Nevertheless, it is the argument of the book that these distinctive debates are related and that a coherent understanding of the British Question requires some familiarity with all three. The intention of the book is to work towards a fuller understanding of the arguments in order to make sense of the challenges to, but also the continuing strength of, the United Kingdom. This book will appeal to students of British politics who want a framework text, which clarifies the British Question, and a synthetic text which provides a digest of significant academic work the subject. About the Au