ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to discuss the political background of Scottish nationalism. It illustrates how British politics was structurally conducive to treating Scottish politics as a separate issue and considers the building up of separate institutions which emphasise this, as well as the failure of the traditional parties to retain control. The chapter presents evidence to suggest that there were certain political strains which also contributed to the rise of the nationalist vote. Thus, Home Rule was a major issue of British politics in the 1880s but it was obscured by the dominance of the Conservatives following the Liberal defeat. The real world of international relations also contributed to the political background of nationalism. In all, the Scottish legislators have formed themselves into a political sub-system corresponding to the work of the administrators. In terms of Neil Smelser’s approach, it can be seen that the British political structure has become more and more conducive to a concentration on Scottish events.
