Professor MacKay explains "It was thought highly desirable to include a number of authors withestablished business experience. But all the authors are acknowledged as authorities in their chosen subject areas….each author has demonstrated an ability to analyse and report independently on their chosen area and on the evidence.
 
"In 1977 I edited a book, “Scotland 1980: the Economics of Self Government”, which included contributions by a number of economists…Here, after the introductory chapter, each author was asked a specific question in order to give greater focus to the discussion. The authors have responded admirably to the challenge.

"The economic arguments have changed very little over time but the political framework has. The referendum will not and should not be decided on economic grounds alone but, as against the 1979 and 1999 referendums, the option or options posed will have important implications for economic policy. That forms the subject matter of this book. So this is an exercise in political economy as befits the country which gave birth to that concept.’
 
Ben Thomson said: ‘This book examines various issues surrounding Scotland’s economic future and how that relates to the debate surrounding the constitution.  This issue is bound to dominate the next few years leading up to the independence referendum and this is a very important contribution to the debate about Scotland’s future with a cast of distinguished contributors.’
 
Contributors are:-

•    Professor John Kay: Is recent economic history a help?
•   Professor David Simpson: An environment for economic growth: is small still beautiful?
•   Jim and Margaret Cuthbert: GERS: where now? 
•   Professor Drew Scott: The Scotland Bill: way forward or cul-de- sac?
•   Professor David Bell: The Scottish economy: seeking an advantage?
•    Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett: Optimal monetary arrangements for Scotland: adopt which     money and why?
•  Professor John Kay: What future for Scottish banking?
•  Keith Skeoch: Scottish financial services after global financial crisis: Celtic eagle, sparrow, lion or hare?
• Professor Alex Kemp: The great North Sea oil saga:  all done or still unfinished?
•   Ben Thomson: Is there a need for a Scottish Exchequer?
•  Professor Sir Donald MacKay: What does Home Rule mean for economic policy?