Contents
Guided tour
Guide to features
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part 1 Context
Chapter 1 Understanding British politics
Learning outcomes
Introduction
UKpolitics, representative democracy and the 'Westminster Model'
Liberal democracy
The changing state
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 2 Analysing British politics
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The Westminster Model and the study of British politics
Alternative models
Approaches to British politics
Research methods
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 3 UK government in context
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The post-war 'consensus'
The end of consensus, 1970 79
Thatcherism, 1979 97
Blair and New Labour
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 4 Economy and society
Learning outcomes
Introduction
Britai
Sources of cohesion
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 5 The media and communications
Learning outcomes
The UK media: not one, but many?
Theories of media influence
New Labour and the media
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Part 2 Constitution and institutions
Chapter 6 The constitution
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The uncodified constitution
Sources of the UK constitution
Main principles of the UK constitution
The constitution under pressure
New Labour and constitutional reform
A new constitutional settlement
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 7 The core executive
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The core executive model
The Prime Minister
Leadership style
The Cabinet
Ministerial responsibility
Ministers and departments
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 8 Parliament
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The House of Commons
The House of Lords
Parliamentary reform
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 9 The judiciary and the law
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The judicial system in the UK
Judicial review and the Human Rights Act 1998
Who are the judges?
New Labour's constitutional reforms
The police
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Part 3 Multi-level governance
Chapter 10 The changing State
Learning outcomes
Introduction
Government to governance
Changing attitudes towards the state
Reform of the civil service
The quango state
Multil governance
Globalisation
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 11 Local government to local governance
Learning outcomes
Introduction
Government to governance
The structure of local government
Functions of local authorities
Local government finance
Local government in a multi-level polity
Local democracy
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 12 Devolution
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The Union
Towards devolution
Devolution in Scotland and Wales
England
Changes to UK government
Northern Ireland
The post-devolution polity
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 13 The UK and the European Union
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The development of the European Union
The institutions of the European Union
Interpreting the European Union
Britainand the European Union
An 'awkward partner'
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Part 4 Political parties
Chapter 14 UK party systems
Learning outcomes
Introduction
History of a two-party system
The UK party system since 1997
Party systems in Scotland and Wales
The party system in Northern Ireland
UKparties and European elections
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 15 Party organisation
Learning outcomes
Introduction
From cadre parties to mass parties
Conservative Party organisation
Labour Party organisation
Liberal Democrat organisation
Party finance
Back to cadre parties?
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 16 Ideology and party competition
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The nature of ideology
Conservatism
Socialism
Liberalism
Ideology and British political parties
A new 'consensus'?
Alternative voices
Conclusion and summary
Websites
Part 5 Participation
Chapter 17 Elections and electoral systems
Learning outcomes
Introduction
Elections in the UK
Functions of elections
Election campaigns
Electoral systems in the UK
Electoral reform
Impact of the new electoral systems
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 18 Voting behaviour
Learning outcomes
Introduction
Class voting and partisanship
Dealignment
Other social factors
Rational choice approaches
The 1997, 2001 and 2005 general elections
Realignment or dealignment?
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Chapter 19 Participation beyond elections
Learning outcomes
Introduction
Referendums
Pressure groups
New social movements
Pressure groups and democracy
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Part 6 Conclusions
Chapter 20 Governance and democracy in the UK
Learning outcomes
Introduction
The old order changes
The more things change
The condition of British democracy
From Blair to Brown
Conclusion and summary
Further reading
Websites
Index
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