Exploring British Politics

Garnett & Lynch

'A lucid and up-to-date exploration of the British

Polity - essential reading for every student' Dr. Joanna McKay, Senior Lecturer in Politics at Nottingham Trent University

Concise, comprehensive and accessible – Exploring British Politics presents an insightful and fresh approach to British politics with a special emphasis on recent developments. Designed to stimulate critical analysis and provoke lively debate, it provides new perspectives on two key themes – the health of British democracy and the transition from traditional models of government to more flexible forms of ‘governance’.

Whilst framed in a discussion of the essential historical background of British politics, contemporary issues are to the fore throughout and readers are encouraged to scrutinise what is often taken for granted and to develop their owns thoughts and ideas. Whether studying the subject for the first time or revisiting it, Exploring British Politics is the ideal undergraduate text.

"This book provides an insightful and intriguing new addition to the

literature on British Politics". Dr. Dan Hough, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Sussex

'Thought-provoking, incisive and informative, Exploring British Politics provides an excellent and welcome addition to the current literature. Shedding light upon the key debates in British government and politics, the authors use a wealth of contemporary and historical examples to illustrate their arguments. Both students new to British Politics as well as those already familiar with the subject area, will greatly benefit from reading this engaging text'. Dr. Jacqui Briggs, Senior Lecturer in Politics, The University of Lincoln.

Dr. Dan Hough, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Sussex

'Thought-provoking, incisive and informative, Exploring British Politics provides an excellent and welcome addition to the current literature. Shedding light upon the key debates in British government and politics, the authors use a wealth of contemporary and historical examples to illustrate their arguments. Both students new to British Politics as well as those already familiar with the subject area, will greatly benefit from reading this engaging text'.

Dr. Jacqui Briggs, Senior Lecturer in Politics, The University of Lincoln.

• Fully updated and revised to include a wealth of material on methodology and theory, plus deep assessment of the history of British politics, and Tony Blair and Gordon Brown
• Provides new perspectives on key themes - including British democracy
• Encourages scrutiny and lively debate - a truly fresh look at British Politics

Garnett & Lynch

'A lucid and up-to-date exploration of the British

Polity - essential reading for every student' Dr. Joanna McKay, Senior Lecturer in Politics at Nottingham Trent University

Concise, comprehensive and accessible – Exploring British Politics presents an insightful and fresh approach to British politics with a special emphasis on recent developments. Designed to stimulate critical analysis and provoke lively debate, it provides new perspectives on two key themes – the health of British democracy and the transition from traditional models of government to more flexible forms of ‘governance’.

Whilst framed in a discussion of the essential historical background of British politics, contemporary issues are to the fore throughout and readers are encouraged to scrutinise what is often taken for granted and to develop their owns thoughts and ideas. Whether studying the subject for the first time or revisiting it, Exploring British Politics is the ideal undergraduate text.

"This book provides an insightful and intriguing new addition to the

literature on British Politics". Dr.Dan Hough, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Sussex

'Thought-provoking, incisive and informative, Exploring British Politics provides an excellent and welcome addition to the current literature. Shedding light upon the key debates in British government and politics, the authors use a wealth of contemporary and historical examples to illustrate their arguments. Both students new to British Politics as well as those already familiar with the subject area, will greatly benefit from reading this engaging text'. Dr. Jacqui Briggs, Senior Lecturer in Politics, The University of Lincoln.

Part I Context                                                                             

1. Understanding British Politics                                                                        

2. British government in context                                                                                    

3. Economy and society                                                                                                

4. The media and communications                                                                                 

Part II Constitution and institutions                                         

5. The constitution                                                                                                        

6. The core executive                                                                                                   

7. Parliament                                                                                                                

8. Law and the judiciary                                                                                                

Part III Multi-level governance                                                  

9. The changing state                                                                                                    

10. Local government to local governance                                                                      

11. Devolution                                                                                                              

12. The UK and the European Union                                                                             

Part IV Political parties                                                               

13. UK party systems                                                                                                   

14. Party organisation                                                                                                   

15. Ideology and party competition                                                                                 

Part V Participation                                                                     

16. Elections and electoral systems                                                                                

17. Voting behaviour                                                                                                     

18. Referendums and pressure groups                                                                           

Conclusions                                                                                 

19. Governance and democracy in the UK