Your updated and revised guide to British politics So, you want to be knowledgeable about British politics but don't know where to start? You've come to the right place! British Politics For Dummies is your essential guide to understanding even the trickiest questions surrounding politics in the UK. In no time, you'll have the confidence to discuss the ins and outs of past and present elections, political leaders, parties and ideologies.
Packed with understandable information on the origins, history and structure of the UK parliamentary system, British Politics For Dummies offers a fascinating glimpse into the rollercoaster world of politics. Explaining everything from key political ideologies and the spread of democracy to the current election process and the differences between political parties, this hands-on, friendly guide is an ideal companion to British politics and elections.
- Includes expanded coverage of coalition governments, devolution and independence efforts
- Provides updated information on UKIP and Britain's place in Europe
- Serves as a helpful guide to elections and British political parties—electoral systems, voting behaviour and trends and the role of pressure groups and the media
- Offers a fascinating examination of British politics on the world stage
Whether you want to get to grips with British politics and government or build your knowledge beyond the basics, this updated edition of British Politics For Dummies is the place to start.
Julian Knight is Money and Property Editor at The Independent on Sunday. Previously, he was a reporter at BBC News, contributing to the BBC News website and Radio Five Live.
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting Started with British Politics 5
Chapter 1: Taking in the Political Universe 7
Chapter 2: Understanding Why Politics and Politicians are Important 21
Chapter 3: Looking at Participatory Democracy 35
Chapter 4: Examining Political Ideologies 49
Chapter 5: Forming the British Political State 67
Part II: Elections and Britain’s Parties 81
Chapter 6: Counting the Votes: Differing Electoral Systems 83
Chapter 7: Voting Behaviour and Trends 99
Chapter 8: Homing in on Political Parties 117
Chapter 9: Piling on the Pressure Groups 141
Chapter 10: Scrutinising Politics and the Media 161
Chapter 11: Taking Politics to the Masses: Social Media 175
Part III: The Ins and Outs of Parliament 183
Chapter 12: Examining Britain’s Constitution 185
Chapter 13: Britain’s Parliamentary Democracy 199
Chapter 14: Gazing at the Summit: The PM and Cabinet 221
Chapter 15: Assessing Ministers and Civil Servants 237
Chapter 16: Taking in the Courts and Judiciary 249
Chapter 17: Laying Bare Local Government and Devolution 261
Chapter 18: Focusing on Devolution and the Independence Debate 271
Part IV: Politics Worldwide 291
Chapter 19: Understanding Britain’s Place in the World 293
Chapter 20: Taking In the International Stage 303
Chapter 21: Expanding Horizons: Europe and the EU 317
Chapter 22: Leading the Free World: US Politics 335
Part V: The Part of Tens 353
Chapter 23: Ten Great Prime Ministers 355
Chapter 24: Ten Major Political Scandals 363
Chapter 25: Ten Political Events That Shaped the Modern World 371
Chapter 26: Ten Political Trends for the Future 379
Index 385
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