This book, which has a Preface by Scotland’s leading historian, Sir Tom Devine, is a comparative study of the economic, social and political development of Norway and Scotland, mainly since about 1800. The authors are from Scotland, Norway, Denmark, England and Finland. It starts with an overview of the histories of the two countries, which were closely intertwined between the 8th and 17th Centuries, and the economic, social and political relationships between them. It includes specific chapters dealing with the comparative development of political institutions and democracy, agriculture and land ownership, industry, local government, money and banking, the welfare state, education, outdoor activities and recreation and religion. There are additional chapters on the impacts of the two World Wars on political relations between Scotland and Norway, on core issue in the comparison of social developments in the two countries, and on the theories that may help us to understand to diverse development paths of Norway and Scotland. The content and focus of the book is unique and original, and joins historians, economists, political scientists, anthropologists, geographers and sociologists in an important example of comparative analysis covering the long term. It is intended to provide analysis that will be helpful for debates on the future of Scotland after Brexit, whether within or outside the United Kingdom, for example on the monetary and banking questions, the welfare state, early childhood education, land and resource ownership, North Sea oil and gas, local government and decentralisation, agriculture and rural development, religion, and external relations, among others.