British politics today: Essentials 6th Edition

Over the last thirty years British politics has undergone something of a revolution: the collapse of class allegiance to political parties; the relative decline of the British economy; the eighteen year period of Conservative hegemony and related Labour impotence; the encroachment of control exercised by European institutions and the consequent discord among those who fear such influences; and the extraordinary emergence and enthronement in government of the Blairite New Labour Party.In addition, there have been major changes in the system of government including: a reshaped civil service; a modified Parliament; modernising political parties with changing ideologies; massive media coverage; and, under New Labour, an ambitious programme of reform.The sixth edition of this bestselling textbook, explains, analyses and interprets the changing mosaic of political life in Britain over recent decades.

Bill Jones is Professor of Politics at  Liverpool Hope University and Hon. Research Fellow in the Department of Government at the University of Manchester.

Preface * What is politics? * An overview of the British political system *  Historical development of British Government * The social and economic context of British government *  Political culture in Britain * The changing constitution *  Political ideas *  The role of pressure groups * Political parties * Legislature I: monarchy and the House of Lords * Legislature II: the House of Commons * Devolution I *  Devolution II *  The executive I: prime minister, cabinet and core executive * The executive II: ministers and civil servants * The media in British politics I * The media in British politics II * Voting behaviour in Britain * Local government I: provenance and decline * Local government II: revival? * The judiciary and politics * The EU and British politics * Policy making in British government * British and American government and politics compared * Britain and the world * Index