This thesis explores equality in a devolved polity in the United Kingdom (UK), and the challenges for inclusive and effective governance and public policy_ The research focuses on gender as this is the most developed of the equality strands, and also due to the historical under-representation of women in politics and public policy, and the campaigning and opportunities which the pre-devolution process in Scotland provided for women. The central research questions within this study are: to what extent are women represented and included in the Scottish devolved policy process? And to what extent has devolution advanced gender equality for women in Scotland? Issues considered in the thesis include: exclusion in political representation; participation in policy making; the extent of mainstreaming of equality in the policy process; understandings of devolution at UK level; which parts of the institutional machinery are most inclusive or receptive for lobbying; equality in Parliamentary or Ministerial time; party approaches to equality; resourcing of equality; and whether equality features within the Scottish constitutional debate. The findings highlight the extent of exclusion from the Scottish policy process. The research provides a stocktake of gender equality in Scotland, and is of significance as it provides an insight into policy processes within contemporary governance arrangements in the UK. It does not attempt to be a comparative study, despite the necessary contextualisation of the constitutional settlement between Westminster and Holyrood.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:636492 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Fyfe, Gillian Anne |
| Publisher | Glasgow Caledonian University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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