ABSTRACT
This chapter explores ways forward in the study of executive government. It discusses the recent developments in executive studies, mainly in Australia and Britain; argues that there is a convergence on the idea of court politics. The chapter discusses the advantages of a focus on court politics. Then the chapter focuses on the patterns in high politics and the practices of political leaders leads to the study of statecraft. Court politics have existed throughout the ages but in its current reincarnation the idea marries the core executive to the analysis of prime ministerial predominance and to the study of statecraft. It brings together previously separate approaches such as the core executive and prime ministerial predominance; for example, Bennister cites with approval Bevir and Rhodes on court politics.
