Exploring British Politics

ContentsGuided tourGuide to featuresPrefaceAcknowledgementsPart 1 ContextChapter 1 Understanding British politicsLearning outcomesIntroductionUKpolitics, representative democracy and the ?Westminster Model?Liberal democracyThe changing state Conclusion and summaryFurther readingWebsites Chapter 2 Analysing British politics Learning outcomes Introduction The Westminster Model and the study of British politics Alternative models Approaches to British politicsResearch methodsConclusion and summaryFurther reading WebsitesChapter 3 UK government in context Learning outcomes IntroductionThe post-war ?consensus? The end of consensus, 1970?79Thatcherism, 1979?97Blair and New LabourConclusion and summaryFurther reading WebsitesChapter 4 Economy and societyLearning outcomes IntroductionBritai Sources of cohesion Conclusion and summaryFurther readingWebsitesChapter 5 The media and communicationsLearning outcomesThe UK media: not one, but many? Theories of media influence New Labour and the mediaConclusion and summaryFurther reading WebsitesPart 2 Constitution and institutionsChapter 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 settlementConclusion and summary Further reading Websites Chapter 7 The core executiveLearning outcomes Introduction The core executive model The Prime Minister Leadership styleThe Cabinet Ministerial responsibilityMinisters and departmentsConclusion and summaryFurther readingWebsites Chapter 8 Parliament Learning outcomes Introduction The House of CommonsThe House of Lords Parliamentary reform Conclusion and summaryFurther readingWebsites Chapter 9 The judiciary and the lawLearning outcomesIntroduction The judicial system in the UK Judicial review and the Human Rights Act 1998 Who are the judges?New Labour?s constitutional reformsThe police Conclusion and summaryFurther readingWebsites Part 3 Multi-level governanceChapter 10 The changing State Learning outcomes Introduction Government to governanceChanging attitudes towards the stateReform of the civil serviceThe quango state Multil governance Globalisation Conclusion and summaryFurther reading Websites Chapter 11 Local government to local governanceLearning outcomes Introduction Government to governance The structure of local government Functions of local authoritiesLocal government financeLocal government in a multi-level polity Local democracy Conclusion and summary Further reading WebsitesChapter 12 Devolution Learning outcomesIntroduction The Union Towards devolution Devolution in Scotland and Wales England Changes to UK government Northern Ireland The post-devolution polity Conclusion and summary Further readingWebsites 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 WebsitesPart 4 Political partiesChapter 14 UK party systemsLearning outcomes IntroductionHistory 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 readingWebsitesChapter 15 Party organisation Learning outcomes IntroductionFrom cadre parties to mass parties Conservative Party organisation Labour Party organisationLiberal Democrat organisationParty financeBack 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 ParticipationChapter 17 Elections and electoral systems Learning outcomes Introduction Elections in the UK Functions of elections Election campaignsElectoral systems in the UK Electoral reformImpact of the new electoral systems Conclusion and summaryFurther reading Websites Chapter 18 Voting behaviour Learning outcomes Introduction Class voting and partisanship Dealignment Other social factors Rational choice approachesThe 1997, 2001 and 2005 general elections Realignment or dealignment?Conclusion and summary Further reading Websites Chapter 19 Participation beyond electionsLearning outcomes IntroductionReferendumsPressure groups New social movementsPressure groups and democracy Conclusion and summaryFurther reading Websites Part 6 ConclusionsChapter 20 Governance and democracy in the UK Learning outcomesIntroduction The old order changesThe more things change ? The condition of British democracyFrom Blair to Brown Conclusion and summary Further reading Websites Index547