Over the last thirty-five years British politics has undergone something of a revolution: the collapse of strong class allegiance to parties; the recovery of an economy once perceived to be in terminal decline; the near twenty-year rule of the of Tories; and the extraordinary emergence and establishment of the Blairite New Labour Party. Together with these changes we have also seen: the reshaping of the civil service; the establishment of devolved assemblies; the reform of the Lords; the decline of ideology; the apparent crushing of the Conservative Party; and the ubiquity of media management as a tool of political persuasion. This text outlines and contextualizes these major changes, and more.

British politics has been revolutionized in the past ten years by two major factors: the hegemony of Thatcherism for eighteen years; and the current dominance of what some say is variant-Blairism--forged in opposition and enthroned in government since May 1997. This volume addresses key political issues which occupy the government and opposition, including: Blair's style of government, the philosophy of the welfare state and the question of its reform, policy-making in the oppressed local government sector, law and order, reform of the voting system, the effect of EU membership on British politics, the much criticized monarchy, privatization, the environment, education, standards in public life, the politics of the health service, and the usefulness of the House of Lords.

The revised and updated eighth edition of the bestselling textbook Politics UK is an indispensible introduction to British politics. It provides a thorough and accessible overview of the institutions and processes of British government, a good grounding in British political history and an incisive introduction to the issues facing Britain today. With contributed chapters from respected scholars in the field and contemporary articles on real-world politics from well-known political commentators, this textbook is an essential guide for students of British politics. The eighth edition welcomes brand new material from eight new contributors to complement the rigorously updated and highly valued chapters retained from the previous edition. The eighth edition includes: · Britain in context boxes offering contrasting international perspectives of themes in British politics. · A comprehensive 'who's who' of politics in the form of Profile boxes featuring key political figures. · And another thing ... pieces: short articles written by distinguished commentators including Jonathan Powell, Michael Moran and Mark Garnett. · Fully updated chapters plus new material providing excellent coverage of contemporary political events including: The Leveson Inquiry, the aftermath of the 2011 riots and the House of Lords reform. · A vibrant and accessible new design to excite and engage students as the work through a variety of political topics. · A new epilogue to the book offering a critical perspective of the trials and tribulations of the Coalition Government, including an overview of the major differences that divide the coalition partners.

Short, yet comprehensive. Completely up to date. Great value for money textbook by two established scholars .

An interpretative essay on the British political system looks at the key characteristics and ideas of the British tradition, explores what makes British politics distinctive, and considers how the system continues to evolve.

Written by a distinguished group of internationally renowned scholars, this volume provides a comprehensive and contemporary overview of the major issues dominating British politics. The book not only maps the current political agenda, but actively contributes to the debates surrounding British politics in the international community at the beginning of the twenty-first century. British Politics Today examines key developments in British politics such as the shift in focus by parties away from their traditional voting base towards 'consumers' at large, and the rise in identity voting following devolution. The book is characterized by a broad and inclusive conception of British politics, resolutely refusing to reduce political analysis to a narrowly conceived sphere of government, and it explores contemporary British political developments in the broader context of European, international and global dynamics. Some of the major issues discussed include the Belfast agreement, Britain's future in Europe, the political economy of contemporary Britain, the representation of women within the British polity, the politics of welfare reform, and the ethics of foreign policy. This collection provides a valuable teaching resource for courses on British politics, as well as a crucial focus for debate by academics and researchers in this dynamic field. It will be essential reading for all those interested in the political science, political economy and political sociology of contemporary Britain.

The contents focus directly on the dynamics of political argument in order to reveal how rival politicians and political scientists practice their persuasive art. Each contributor explores a disputed viewpoint, showing how differences of attitude and ideology structure the contemporary debate. Students should learn how an argument is constructed and develop the skills necessary for separating rhetoric from political reality. Further guidance is provided by summary boxes and suggested additional reading.