Politics UK

Description

Features

• Clear-sighted, elegant and authoritative
• Illustrated throughout by some of the leading political cartoonists of the day
• Comprehensive glossary of key terms
• Outstanding presentation and in-text features present complex concepts with the utmost clarity
• Companion website - much-enhanced for this edition - contains regular updates on contemporary issues and keeps pace with the rapidly unfolding political landscape

New to this Edition

• 'Britain in Context': A boxed feature to be found in every chapter which places the issues facing Britain in a global framework and weaves a strong comparative thread throughout the book
• 'And another thing...': these short essays by distinguished commentators, including Andrew Rawnsley and Simon Jenkins, provide interpretative analyses of key issues in British politics
• Full coverage and analysis of the 2005 general election
• An analysis both of the London bombings in July 2006 and the issues raised by the government response, taking in civil liberties, citizenship and the power of the state
• Coverage of the leadership changes which have enlivened political debate and an analysis of New Labour in power, including an assessment of the Blair/Brown relationship
• Expanded coverage of the war in Iraq

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

PART 1      CONTEXT 

1        Introduction: explaining politics

2        Historical context – globalization

3        The social and economic contexts

PART 2      DEFINING THE POLITICAL WORLD

4        Ideology and the liberal tradition

5        Political ideas: key concepts

6        Political ideas: the major parties

7        Political ideas: themes and fringes

And another thing . . . Who’s steering this ship? Power in British politics

PART 3      THE REPRESENTATIVE PROCESS

8        Elections

9        Voting behaviour

10      The mass media and political communication

11      Pressure groups

12      Political parties

13      Pathways into politics

14      Devolution

And another thing . . . Voting with our feet: The turn-out ‘ problem’ in Britain

PART 4      THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

Introduction to Part 4

15      The changing constitution

16      The crown

17      The House of Commons

18      The House of Lords

And another thing . . . The Premier League: Ranking Tony Blair

PART 5           THE EXECUTIVE PROCESS

19      The Cabinet and Prime Minister

20      Ministers, departments and civil servants

21      Civil service management and policy

22      Local government

23      The Judiciary

And another thing . . . The marriage of true minds? The Blair/Brown relationship

PART 6      THE POLICY PROCESS

24      The policy making process

25      The politics of law and order

26      Social policy

27      Economic policy

28      British foreign and defence policy under the Blair government

29      Environmental policy

30      Northern Ireland

31      Britainand European integration

32      Labour in government: An assessment

And another thing . . . Waging wars: foreign policy and terrorism

Glossary

Index

Back Cover

“This book is the best available for students who have to cover a blend of both government and politics in their degree studies. It is invaluable as an introductory text and contains material which will be of continued use in the second and third years. It has also been brought right up to date and thus reflects the most recent contemporary debates and issues.”

—Dr. Richard Grayson, Head of Politics, GoldsmithsCollege, Universityof London

Politics UK is the best-selling introductory text on British politics. First published in 1991 and now in its sixth edition, it continues to provide the most comprehensive, elegant and up-to-date coverage of all aspects of the British political system.

Suitable for both A-level students and undergraduates, Politics UK presents a detailed examination of the core elements of the British political scene divided into six classic parts: 1. Context; 2. Defining the political world; 3. The representative process; 4. The legislative process; 5. The executive process; and 6. The policy process. The sixth edition has, of course, been thoroughly updated and revised and is now presented in full colour throughout.

Classic features

·        Outstanding, elegant and authoritative presentation with in-text features explaining and analysing complex concepts with the utmost clarity.

·        Illustrations by some of the leading political cartoonists of today.

·        Comprehensive glossary of key terms.

·        Companion Website (www.pearsoned.co.uk/jones) – much-enhanced for this edition – containing regular updates on contemporary issues and keeps pace with the rapidly unfolding political landscape.

New to this edition

·        ‘Britainin Context’ – a boxed feature found in every chapter places the issues facing Britain in a global framework and weaves a strong comparative thread throughout the book.

·        ‘And another thing...’ – short essays by distinguished commentators, including Andrew Rawnsley and Simon Jenkins, provide interpretative analyses of key issues in British politics.

·        Full coverage and analysis of the 2005 general election.

·        An analysis of the London bombings in July 2005 and the issues raised by the government’s response, taking in civil liberties, citizenship and the power of the state.

·        Coverage of the changes in party leadership, which have enlivened political debate and an analysis of New Labour in power, including an assessment of the Blair/Brown relationship.

·        Expanded coverage of the war in Iraq.

Reader Review(s)

"This book is the best available for students who have to cover a blend of both government and politics in their degree studies. It is invaluable as an introductory text and contains material which will be of continued use in the second and third years. It has also been brought right up to date and thus reflects the most recent contemporary debates and issues."

Dr. Richard Grayson, Head of Politics, Goldsmiths College, University of London