The British System of Government

The British System of Government is the liveliest and most up-to- date account available to the student of British political institutions and the way in which they operate. This year we are pleased to announce the publication of the eighth edition of this bestselling text. New material has been fully integrated and there is an entirely new chapter on British foreign policy, taking into account recent events. Professor Birch analyses the fascinating and highly unpredictable British political scene as we enter the 1990s: * Mrs Thatcher's tenth anniversary in office in May 1989 followed by the heavy defeat for the Conservative Party in the European elections during Summer 1989 * the changing policy programme of the Labour Party * the disarray of the Liberal/SDP alliance * the momentous changes in international relations This major textbook provides the background to recent developments in the political scene and balances an analysis of British governmental institutions with discussions of political ideas, behaviour and policy making.