
The British Constitution
A Very Short Introduction
Martin Loughlin(Author)
Oxford University Press
2nd Edition
Published on 26. October 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-0-19-289525-7 (ISBN)
Description
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring
The British constitution is regarded as unique among the constitutions of the world. What are the main characteristics of Britain's peculiar constitutional arrangements? How has the British constitution altered in response to the changing nature of its state - from England, to Britain, to the United Kingdom? What impact has the UK's developing relations with the European Union caused?
These are some of the questions that Martin Loughlin addresses in this Very Short Introduction. As a constitution, it is one that has grown organically in response to changes in the economic, political, and social environment, and which is not contained in a single authoritative text.
By considering the nature and authority of the current British constitution, and placing it in the context of others, Loughlin considers how the traditional idea of a constitution came to be retained, what problems have been generated as a result of adapting a traditional approach in a modern political world, looking at what the future prospects for the British constitution are.
In this new edition of the Very Short Introduction, Loughlin includes a disucssion of the impact of developments over the decade since its first publication, examining Brexit, the Scottish independence referendum of 2014, and the settlement in Northern Ireland.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
The British constitution is regarded as unique among the constitutions of the world. What are the main characteristics of Britain's peculiar constitutional arrangements? How has the British constitution altered in response to the changing nature of its state - from England, to Britain, to the United Kingdom? What impact has the UK's developing relations with the European Union caused?
These are some of the questions that Martin Loughlin addresses in this Very Short Introduction. As a constitution, it is one that has grown organically in response to changes in the economic, political, and social environment, and which is not contained in a single authoritative text.
By considering the nature and authority of the current British constitution, and placing it in the context of others, Loughlin considers how the traditional idea of a constitution came to be retained, what problems have been generated as a result of adapting a traditional approach in a modern political world, looking at what the future prospects for the British constitution are.
In this new edition of the Very Short Introduction, Loughlin includes a disucssion of the impact of developments over the decade since its first publication, examining Brexit, the Scottish independence referendum of 2014, and the settlement in Northern Ireland.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Reviews / Votes
The book is beautifully written and well-referenced and indexed. It deserves to be read by anybody interested in the enigmatic but fascinating British constitution. * David Glass, Law Society Gazette *More details
Series
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 169 mm
Width: 108 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
124 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-289525-7 (9780192895257)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2023
2nd Edition
OUP eBook
€9.49
Available for download

E-Book
09/2023
2nd Edition
OUP eBook
€9.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
04/2013
Oxford University Press
€11.15
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Martin Loughlin is Professor of Public Law at the London School of Economics & Political Science. A Fellow of the British Academy, he is series editor of Oxford Constitutional Theory and his books include Against Constitutionalism (2022), Political Jurisprudence (2017), Foundations of Public Law (2010), and The Idea of Public Law (2003).
Author
Professor of Public LawProfessor of Public Law, London School of Economics & Political Science
Content
1: The existential question
2: What constitution?
3: Writing the constitution
4: Parliamentary government
5: Reconfiguring the State
6: Civil liberty
7: Whither the constitution?
2: What constitution?
3: Writing the constitution
4: Parliamentary government
5: Reconfiguring the State
6: Civil liberty
7: Whither the constitution?