Exploring British Politics / Edition 4

by Mark Garnett, Peter Dorey

Overview

Exploring British Politics is a concise, comprehensive and accessible guide to the subject. Fully updated and revised, the new edition covers the 2015 general election and recent developments in the role of political parties, changes in party ideology, the UK's relationship with the European Union, and the future of the UK itself. Designed to stimulate critical analysis and provoke lively debate, it provides new perspectives on two key themes - the health of British democracy and the transition from traditional models of government to more flexible forms of 'governance'.

The special features of the new edition include:

• Comprehensive analysis of the 2015 general election and the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence
• A focus on topical controversies, such as the relationship between politicians and the media and the arguments for and against Human Rights legislation
• Explanation of the ways in which British governments have responded to dramatic social change, and to serious economic challenges in an era of 'globalisation'
• Extensive guides to further reading at the end of each chapter

Whilst it provides the essential historical background for a full understanding of British politics, contemporary issues are to the fore throughout and readers are encouraged to scrutinise what is often taken for granted and to develop their own thoughts and ideas. Whether studying the subject for the first time or revisiting it, Exploring British Politics is the ideal undergraduate text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138842786
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/05/2016
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	656
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mark Garnett is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations, Lancaster University, UK.

Peter Dorey is Professor of British Politics in the School of Law and Politics, Cardiff University, UK.

Patrick Diamond is Professor of Public Policy in the School of Politics and International Relations, Queen Mary, University of London.

Table of Contents

Guided tour xviii

Guide to features xx

Preface xxvi

Part 1 Context

Chapter 1 Understanding British politics 3

Learning outcomes 3

Introduction 3

Liberal democracy 11

The changing state 17

Conclusion and summary 20

Further reading 21

Websites 22

Chapter 2 Analysing British politics 23

Learning outcomes 23

Introduction 23

The Westminster model and the study of British politics 23

Alternative models 28

Approaches to British politics 33

Research methods 38

Conclusion and summary 42

Further reading 43

Websites 44

Chapter 3 UK government in historical context 45

Learning outcomes 45

Introduction 45

The post-war 'consensus' 46

The end of consensus, 1970-79 55

Thatcherism, 1979-97 57

New Labour and after 64

Further reading 68

Websites 69

Chapter 4 Economy and society 70

Learning outcomes 70

Introduction 70

Britain: a divided nation? 71

Sources of cohesion 91

Conclusion and summary 96

Further reading 98

Websites 99

Chapter 5 The media and communications 100

Learning outcomes 100

Introduction 100

The UK media: not one, but many 101

Theories of media influence 104

New Labour and the media 109

The media and the 2010 general election 118

The media in the elections of 2015, 2017, and 2019 119

The 'phone-hacking' scandal 125

Conclusion and summary 129

Further reading 130

Websites 130

Part 2 Constitution and institutions

Chapter 6 The constitution 135

Learning outcomes 135

Introduction 135

The uncodified constitution 136

Sources of the UK constitution 136

Statute law 138

Common law 138

Conventions 139

Main principles of the UK constitution 141

The constitution under pressure 148

New Labour and constitutional reform 151

A new constitutional settlement? 155

The 2014 referendum on Scottish independence 160

The 2016 EU Referendum 162

Conclusion and summary 164

Further reading 165

Websites 166

Chapter 7 The core executive 167

Learning outcomes 167

Introduction 167

The core executive model 167

The prime minister 169

The cabinet 184

Ministerial responsibility 187

Ministers and departments 192

Conclusion and summary 199

Further reading 200

Websites 201

Chapter 8 Parliament 202

Learning outcomes 202

Introduction 202

The House of Lords 238

Reform of the House of Lords 242

Conclusion and summary 244

Further reading 245

Websites 246

Chapter 9 The judiciary and the law 247

Learning outcomes 247

Introduction 247

The judicial system in the UK 248

Judicial review 249

The Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Court of Human Rights 251

Who are the judges? 254

New Labour's constitutional reforms 259

The judiciary, the coalition, and Brexit 262

The police 264

Conclusion and summary 270

Further reading 271

Websites 271

Part 3 Multilevel governance

Chapter 10 The changing state 275

Learning outcomes 275

Introduction 275

Government to governance 276

Changing attitudes towards the state 277

New Labour and the state 280

Reform of the civil service 281

Agencification 284

The quango state 289

Privatisation and regulation 295

Globalisation 301

Conclusion and summary 304

Further reading 305

Websites 306

Chapter 11 Local government to local governance 307

Learning outcomes 307

Introduction 307

Government to governance 307

The structure of local government 308

Unitaries but not uniformity 310

Internal organisation 311

Directly elected mayors 312

Functions of local authorities 316

From provider to enabler 319

Localism from Blair to Cameron 321

Local government finance 322

Local taxes 323

Other sources of revenue 326

Local government in a multilevel polity 327

The local quango state 329

Devolution and local government 330

Local democracy 330

Conclusion and summary 332

Further reading 332

Websites 333

Chapter 12 Devolution 334

Learning outcomes 334

Introduction 334

The Union 334

Towards devolution 338

Devolution in Scotland and Wales 341

England 355

Changes to UK government 357

Northern Ireland 362

Devolution, 'Brexit', and Coronavirus 371

The post-devolution polity 373

Conclusion and summary 375

Further reading 376

Websites 377

Chapter 13 The UK and the European Union 378

Learning outcomes 378

Introduction 378

The development of the European Union 379

The UK and the European Union 388

An 'awkward partner' 402

Conclusion and summary 411

Further reading 414

Websites 415

Notes 415

Part 4 Political parties

Chapter 14 UK party systems 419

Learning outcomes 419

Introduction 419

History of a two-party system 420

The UK party system since 1997 426

Party systems in Scotland and Wales 430

The party system in Northern Ireland 434

Conclusion and summary 437

Further reading 438

Websites 438

Chapter 15 Party organisation 440

Learning outcomes 440

Introduction 440

From cadre parties to mass parties 440

Conservative party organisation 442

Party members 461

Liberal Democrat organisation 463

Party finance 469

Back to cadre parties? 473

Conclusion and summary 477

Further reading 477

Websites 478

Chapter 16 Ideology and party competition 479

Learning outcomes 479

Introduction 479

The nature of ideology 480

Conservatism 482

Socialism 486

Ideology and British political parties 490

The Labour Party and socialism 498

Alternative voices 511

Conclusion and summary 514

Further reading 515

Websites 516

Part 5 Participation

Chapter 17 Elections and electoral systems 519

Learning outcomes 519

Introduction 519

Elections in the United Kingdom 519

Functions of elections 525

Election campaigns 540

Electoral systems in the United Kingdom 543

Electoral reform 554

Impact of the new electoral systems 557

Conclusion and summary 559

Further reading 560

Websites 560

Chapter 18 Voting behaviour 562

Learning outcomes 562

Introduction 562

Class voting and partisanship 562

Dealignment 565

Other social factors 575

Rational choice approaches 579

The press and party support 589

Realignment or dealignment? 591

Conclusion and summary 592

Further reading 593

Websites 594

Chapter 19 Participation beyond elections 595

Learning outcomes 595

Introduction 595

Referendums 596

Pressure groups 605

Pressure groups and democracy 620

Conclusion and summary 622

Further reading 623

Websites 623

Part 6 Conclusions

Chapter 20 Governance and democracy in the UK 627

Learning outcomes 627

Introduction 627

The old order changes 627

The more things change… 631

A strong centre 632

The condition of British democracy 634

From Blair/Brown to Cameron/Clegg 640

'Brexit' and after 643

Conclusion and summary 644

Further reading 645

Websites 645

Index 647

Editorial Reviews

"One of the best British politics texts on the market: comprehensive but approachable, up-to-date but historically aware, it strikes just the right balance between fine-grained analysis and sheer readability."

Tim Bale, Queen Mary University London, UK.

"This is the premier textbook of British politics available on the market today. It’s gauged appropriately for university-level students, well written, and insightful. My US-based students find the book to be interesting reading and I would not wish to teach without this most excellent of texts, which lays the foundation for my lectures brilliantly."

Heather Mbaye, University of West Georgia, USA.

"Exploring British Politics is pitched perfectly to both students completely new to the British political system and those who are steeped in its complexities."

Craig Ortsey, Purdue University Fort Wayne, USA.

"Once again, Garnett, Dorey and Diamond offer a clear and accessible introduction to some complex political issues, neatly capturing the changing landscape of British politics. This superb book remains a go-to text for all political science students."

Louise Thompson, University of Manchester, UK.

"This updated edition of Exploring British Politics provides a clear and thought-provoking assessment of recent developments in British politics and is an invaluable resource for both students and teachers. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of a wide range of issues and debates in Britain today."

Samantha Wolstencroft, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.

From the Publisher