On the Prospects for Policy Learning in Post-devolution Scotland

There is growing discomfort with existing arrangements of government. Citizens demand greater democracy and transparency. Communities seek more autonomy. Business leaders point an accusing finger at the lazy pace of governments. Interest groups are prodigious in showing displeasure with the way governments resolve their disputes and issues. The media are eager to report dissent and nurture mistrust. The lack of effective governance ranks high on the list of major societal concerns. (Carneiro, 1999: 3-4) There is perennial controversy and debate about the extent to which the state should intervene in social and economic processes and in the individuals’ lives in order to ‘improve’ social conditions and people’s welfare. The key justiIan Sanderson Retired Professor of Policy Analysis and Evaluation, Leeds Metropolitan University