Politics UK - Softcover

Politics UK provides a comprehensive and accessible account of the core institutions and mechanics of government, continually placing these in a conceptual context that urges the reader to assess critically the state of Britain today. Its palatable style will appeal to all students of politics, and is an indispensable introduction to the discipline’s core tenets. This revised edition triumphantly reflects on the contemporary issues of the day and, with the uncertainty to the political climate that Brexit brings, is a must on all British politics reading lists.

Dr Sarah Cooper, Lecturer in Politics, University of Exeter, UK

Politics UK provides a solid foundation on the key concepts and themes of British politics for undergraduate students at an American university. My students often begin their course with a cursory knowledge of British politics and thus I need a textbook that immerses them without overwhelming them― and Politics UK delivers exactly that. The material within each chapter of this edited volume provides the most substantial overview of British politics available while remaining accessible to students new to the subject. Of particular note are the inclusion of numerous charts, tables, figures and photographs that let my students 'see' British politics. In terms of comprehensive coverage, appropriate level of writing, helpful supplemental material and timely coverage of contemporary events, there is no better textbook on the market.

A truly comprehensive and authoritative guide on British politics written by some of the most astute commentators and political scientists on the subject. Up-to-date, well written, great for students starting out and useful for old hands wanting to check their facts.

Professor Keith Dowding, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Australian National University, Australia

The ninth edition welcomes brand new material from seven new contributors to complement the rigorously updated and highly respected chapters retained from the previous edition. It delivers excellent coverage of contemporary events including a new chapter on Euro-scepticism and the European referendum, an assessment of the performance of Labour’s leadership, the trials and tribulations of the Liberal Democrats and UKIP, and the evolving devolution debate in Scotland, led by the Scottish Nationalist Party.

Features of the new edition include:

• Britain in context boxes offering contrasting international perspectives on key themes in British politics
• A comprehensive ‘who’s who’ of politics in the form of Profile boxes featuring key political figures
• And another thing . . . pieces containing short articles written by distinguished commentators including Mark Garnett, Sir David Omand, Richard Wilkinson and Sir Simon Jenkins
• An epilogue analyzing the turbulent state of UK politics following the European referendum

With chapters written by highly respected scholars in the field and contemporary articles on real-world politics from well-known political commentators, this textbook is an essential guide for all students of British politics.