DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

A New Scotland

Building an Equal, Fair and Sustainable Society

Gregor Gall editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Pluto Press

Published:20th May '22

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

A New Scotland cover

This book outlines a vision for Scotland's future, addressing inequality and proposing radical reforms to enhance democracy and social justice. A New Scotland serves as a guide for change.

In A New Scotland, the authors delve into the pressing issues facing Scotland today, particularly in the context of devolution and independence. Despite over twenty years of devolution, the country continues to grapple with inequality and unfairness that have persisted through various political upheavals, including austerity measures and the impacts of Brexit. The ongoing debate about whether further constitutional reform could address these significant challenges has become increasingly urgent, as the Westminster agenda shifts to the right, leaving many Scots feeling marginalized and unheard.

The book presents a comprehensive exploration of how Scotland can chart a new course towards a brighter future. Leading activists and academics come together to propose radical reforms that prioritize democracy, social justice, and environmental sustainability. By embedding these core values into a cohesive set of policy ideas, A New Scotland aims to inspire a transformative vision for the nation.

Structured in two parts, the text first addresses the obstacles to implementing meaningful change before examining innovative approaches to critical areas such as healthcare, education, public ownership, race, gender, and human rights. The authors encourage readers to think critically about the future of Scotland and consider how a collective commitment to reform can lead to a more equitable and just society.

'The push for Scottish devolution came with a well-respected agenda for political reform. What would be the equivalent agenda for Scottish independence? This book provides an impressive list of ways to connect constitutional change to social justice reform'

-- Paul Cairney, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of Stirling

'An important contribution to the debate about the state of our society. It comes against a backdrop of rising social and economic inequality, class division and poverty impacting on too many of our fellow citizens'

-- Neil Findlay, former councillor in West Lothian and Labour MSP

'A refreshing and challenging antidote to the stale arguments currently dominating Scottish politics. It roots debate firmly in the search for equality, fairness and sustainability with an impressive array of contributors, ideas and critiques'

-- James Mitchell, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Edinb

ISBN: 9780745345062

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 25mm

Weight: 310g

352 pages