One important theme not mentioned by Dr. Maguire is the resurgance of
ethnic nationalism in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This theme is
closely related to other themes mentioned including economic decline, the
end of political consensus, and the questioning of British identity.
Despite being tabled for awhile following the 1979 referendum over
devolution, the subject of "Celtic" nationalism and devolution is a very
live issue today. Labour is currently commited to making devolution a
priority in any new Labour government and recent polls seem to indicate
that if a referendum over devolution was held today, devolution would
receive the necessary support. I would suggest you take a look at Thomas
William Heyck's text book "The Peoples of the British Isles: From 1870 to
the Present" (which, in my opinion, is much superior to Arnstein's text).
It devotes a whole chapter to the issue.
John S. Ellis
Boston College