Written by leading experts in the field, this book provides a comprehensive account of devolved politics and government in Wales and the powers and policy of the National Assembly. Set in historical context, the book covers the broad range of governance and policy responsibilities since 1999 and the key problems they have sought to address. In doing so, it assesses the extent to which Welsh devolution has both addressed perceived governance problems cause by the over-centralisation of the UK state, and solved long-term issues of public policy in Wales.