British Journal of Politics and International Relations, Vol. 2, No. 1, April 2000, pp. 124–134 Writings on the margins: Welsh politics DYLAN GRIFFITHS Books reviewed Andrews, L. (1999) Wales Says Yes. Bridgend: Seren, 222 pp., ISBN 1-85411- 253-8 Davies, R. (1999) Devolution: A Process not an Event. Cardiff: Institute of Welsh Affairs, 16 pp., ISBN 1-871726-44-1 Osmond, J. (1998) New Politics in Wales. London: Charter 88, 22 pp., ISBN 1873311-46-X Osmond, J. (ed.) (1998) The National Assembly Agenda. Cardiff: Institute of Welsh Affairs, 410 pp., ISBN 1-871726-43-3 Taylor, B. and Thomson, K. (1999) Scotland and Wales: Nations Again? Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 308 pp., ISBN 0-7083-1506-2 Day, G. and Thomas, D. (eds) (1999) Contemporary Wales: An Annual Review of Economic and Social Research. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 247 pp., ISBN 0-7083-1541-0 After the devolution débâcle of the 1970s it seemed that Welsh politics was finished, a subject for a historian’s curiosity but nothing more. With the electorate’s approval of devolution in a referendum in 1997, interest in Welsh politics has revived. This article reviews recent publications on the road to the referendum, the referendum itself and prospects for the new National Assembly for Wales. Signs of a nascent civil society in Wales are detected but a more sophisticated and critical attitude to writing about Welsh politics is necessary to foster a mature civil society. © Political Studies Association 2000. Published by Blackwell Publishers, 108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JF and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA 124