The New British Politics is one of the most comprehensive and successful introductions to British politics ever published. Now available in a fully revised and updated fourth edition, this clear, lively and authoritative text has an emphasis on law and order and the historical context of British politics. Written by internationally-known specialists, the book combines incisive and original analysis with direct presentation.

CONTENTS Preface Acknowledgements List of abbreviations INTRODUCTION 1. British politics in context: international, social, and historical settings PART I HISTORY 2. The first industrial country: ideas and institutions 16881931 3. From government intervention back to free markets and a 'third way': ideas and institutions, 19312006 PART 2 GOVERNMENT 4. A British constitution? 5. The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the Core Executive 6. Ministries, ministers and mandarins: central government in Britain 7. The changing state: administrative reforms PART 3 SOVEREIGNTY 8. Britain in Europe 9. Europe in Britain 10. Disuniting the Kingdom: Ireland 11. Devolution: Scotland, Wales and the English regions 12. Local democracy? PART 4 POPULAR PARTICIPATION 13. Pressure groups 14. The mass media and pluralist democracy 15. Elections and voting PART 5 REPRESENTATION 16. Political parties and party factions 17. Party ideologies and political representation 18. Parliament: the House of Lords and the House of Commons PART 6 ORDER 19. The courts and the judiciary 20. The police and policing 21. Security and secrecy PART 7 POLICY 22. Foreign and defence policy 23. Environmental policy 24. Economic policy 25. Social policy 26. Equal opportunities PART 8 ASSESSMENT 27. Problems, policies, processes and democracy, 19972006 Glossary Author Index Subject Index