Description
Book SynopsisFully updated and expanded, the second edition of this still compact text on British politics expertly analyses the major changes in British political life, placing them revealingly within the context of the evolution of British society from absolute monarchy to representative democracy.
The author considers each of the major components of British politics in digestible chapters, such as the Monarchy and the House of Lords, the Commons, voting behaviour, parties and pressure groups, the prime minister and cabinet, devolution, local government, and foreign policy. The book includes two new chapters on the EU referendum and Brexit, and the extraordinary December 2019 election, as well as coverage of events such as the coronavirus pandemic, and the respective travails of the increasingly split two major political parties.
This readable and comprehensive introduction will be of key interest to A-level students, undergraduates and those new to the study of British politics.
Trade Review
"So much changed in British politics between 2015 and the 2020s. Only a genuine expert could explain successfully its significance within a broader understanding of the Basics of that politics. Unsurprisingly Bill Jones is the author who has achieved that."
Alan Ware, Worcester College, University of Oxford, UK
"Comprehensive enough to tell students what they need to know yet concise enough to ensure it's a resource to which they will want to return to again and again, this update is a very welcome addition to introductory texts on the ever-changing politics of the UK."
Tim Bale, Queen Mary University of London, UK
"Bill Jones manages to cover an amazing amount of ground in this clear and succinct book. It works brilliantly as a compact introductory guide to the British political system, to its history and wider context, and to British politics today."
Kevin Theakston, University of Leeds, UK
Table of ContentsPart I: Introduction 1. British Politics in Flux 2. The Evolution of Britain’s Political System Part II: The Political Context 3. Introductory Overview of the British Political System 4. The Social and Economic Context 5. Political Culture 6. The Flexible Unwritten Constitution 7. Political Ideas I: Up to New Labour 8. Political Ideas II: From New Labour to Brexit Part III: The Mediating Agencies 9. Political Parties 10. Pressure Groups 11. The Mass Media Part IV: The Legislature 12. The Monarchy 13. The House of Lords 14. The House of Commons 15. Voting Behaviour in the UK 16. The 2019 General Election Part V: The Executive 17. The Prime Minister and Cabinet 18. Ministers and Civil Servants 19. Policy-Making in British Government Part VI: Sub-national Government 20. Devolution 21. Local Government: Provenance and Decline 22. The Judiciary and Politics 23. The Extraordinary Brexit Saga 24. Britain and the World 25. Concluding Comments: An Uncertain Future
