ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the present evidence from Scotland that is both illustrative and supportive of place-based perspective on political sociology. It extends beyond an analysis and account of contemporary dealignment into an investigation of the various facets of the place-based perspective. The attempt to relate political behavior, such as voting in elections or referenda, to geographical patterns of social life often begins, and sometimes ends, with the mapping of aggregate outcomes. From one point of view, the map of Scottish electoral behavior has been tremendously transformed over the past 100 years. It has been reinforced by Scottish Catholics for the Labour party. They are now threatened by the Scottish National party (SNP) as well as the Liberals. Finally, the chapter explores the links between place and political mobilization in Scotland is identified, especially as these relate to the growth of new political movements such as the SNP. And then summarizes the argument that political expression in Scotland is intrinsically geographical.
