ABSTRACT

Exploring British Politics is a concise, comprehensive and accessible guide to the subject. Fully updated and revised, the new edition covers the 2015 general election and recent developments in the role of political parties, changes in party ideology, the UK's relationship with the European Union, and the future of the UK itself. 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’.

The special features of the new edition include:

  • Comprehensive analysis of the 2015 general election and the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence
  • A focus on topical controversies, such as the relationship between politicians and the media and the arguments for and against Human Rights legislation
  • Explanation of the ways in which British governments have responded to dramatic social change, and to serious economic challenges in an era of ‘globalisation’
  • Extensive guides to further reading at the end of each chapter

Whilst it provides the essential historical background for a full understanding 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 own thoughts and ideas. Whether studying the subject for the first time or revisiting it, Exploring British Politics is the ideal undergraduate text.

part |2 pages

Part 1 Context

chapter 1|19 pages

Understanding British politics

chapter 2|22 pages

Analysing British politics

chapter 4|27 pages

Economy and society

chapter 5|30 pages

The media and communications

part |2 pages

Part 2 Constitution and institutions

chapter 6|30 pages

The constitution

chapter 7|38 pages

The core executive

chapter 8|40 pages

Parliament

chapter 9|24 pages

The judiciary and the law

part |2 pages

Part 3 Multi-level governance

chapter 10|28 pages

The changing state

chapter 11|26 pages

Local government to local governance

chapter 12|40 pages

Devolution

chapter 13|36 pages

The UK and the European Union

part |2 pages

Part 4 Political parties

chapter 14|21 pages

UK party systems

chapter 15|39 pages

Party organisation

chapter 16|38 pages

Ideology and party competition

part |2 pages

Part 5 Participation

chapter 17|42 pages

Elections and electoral systems

chapter 18|28 pages

Voting behaviour

chapter 19|28 pages

Participation beyond elections

part |2 pages

Part 6 Conclusions

chapter 20|20 pages

Governance and democracy in the UK