Understanding British and European political issues


Book Description

This electronic version has been made available under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) open access license. This new edition will be essential reading for all students studying politics at A2 level, as it covers the important issues as required by the main examining boards, and has been specifically tailored to the brand new Edexcel Route A specification. Fully updated to include the global recession and other recent political developments, it looks at the important issues in British politics since 1945. It is also useful as an introductory reader for all those who are interested in the field. Neil McNaughton is a seasoned writer at this level. He examines, on a chapter by chapter basis, the key issues of British politics today; economic policy, the Welfare State, law and order, environment policy, Northern Ireland, issues concerning women, European integration and the European Union, and the impact of the European Union on Britain. In each case he describes the issues in detail and places them in their political context. Written in an accessible style, with helpful features such as summaries, definition, tables and boxes to illuminate the points made and suggestions for additional reading and research, this book is urgently needed as students grapple with the issues thrown up by the new examinations.




Understanding British and European Political Issues


Book Description

Fully updated to include the global recession and other recent political developments, this book looks at the important issues in British politics since 1945. It is also useful as an introductory reader for all those who are interested in the field. Neil McNaughton examines, on a chapter by chapter basis, the key issues of British politics today; economic policy, the Welfare State, law and order, environment policy, Northern Ireland, issues concerning women, European integration and the European Union, and the impact of the European Union on Britain. In each case, he describes the issues in detail and places them in their political context. Written in an accessible style, with helpful features such as summaries, definition, tables, and boxes to illuminate the points made and suggestions for additional reading and research, this book is urgently needed as students grapple with the issues.




Understanding British and European Political Issues


Book Description

This book looks at the important issues in British politics since 1945, and includes a brief guide to the changing political culture of Britain in that period. Neil McNaughton reviews the changing nature of the principal political ideologies--Conservatism, Labourism and Liberalism--before discussing how these ideological changes impact generally on policy developments in the UK. This text is written in an accessible style, with helpful features such as summaries, definitions, tables and boxes to illuminate the points made.




Understanding British and European Political Issues


Book Description

This book looks at the important issues in British politics since 1945, including a brief guide to the changing political culture of Britain in that period. It will be essential reading for all students studying politics at A2 level, as it covers all the important issues required by the main examining boards. Neil McNaughton is a seasoned writer at this level. He begins by reviewing the changing nature of the principal political ideologies - Conservatism, Labourism and Liberalism - before discussing how these ideological changes impact generally on policy developments in the UK. Having described the changing nature of the political culture, addressing partisan dealignment, changing morality, the decline of religion and class fragmentation, he examines, on a chapter by chapter basis, the key issues of British politics today: the economy, the welfare state, law and order, race relations, the particular problems affecting Northern Ireland, devolution, constitutional reform, rights, the environment, issues of gender and sexual orientation, European integration and the European Union, the impact of the European Union on Britain, ending with a brief summary of the issues that are likely to take centre stage in British politics in the first decade of the new century. Written in an accessible style, with helpful features such as summaries, definitions, tables and boxes to illuminate the points made, this book is urgently needed as students grapple with the issues thrown up by the new examinations.




Brexit and Beyond


Book Description

Brexit will have significant consequences for the country, for Europe, and for global order. And yet much discussion of Brexit in the UK has focused on the causes of the vote and on its consequences for the future of British politics. This volume examines the consequences of Brexit for the future of Europe and the European Union, adopting an explicitly regional and future-oriented perspective missing from many existing analyses. Drawing on the expertise of 28 leading scholars from a range of disciplines, Brexit and Beyond offers various different perspectives on the future of Europe, charting the likely effects of Brexit across a range of areas, including institutional relations, political economy, law and justice, foreign affairs, democratic governance, and the idea of Europe itself. Whilst the contributors offer divergent predictions for the future of Europe after Brexit, they share the same conviction that careful scholarly analysis is in need – now more than ever – if we are to understand what lies ahead for the EU. Praise for Brexit and Beyond 'a wide-ranging and thought-provoking tour through the vagaries of British exit, with the question of Europe’s fate never far from sight...Brexit is a wake-up call for the EU. How it responds is an open question—but respond it must. To better understand its options going forward you should turn to this book, which has also been made free online.' Prospect Magazine 'This book explores wonderfully well the bombshell of Brexit: is it a uniquely British phenomenon or part of a wider, existential crisis for the EU? As the tensions and complexities of the Brexit negotiations come to the fore, the collection of essays by leading scholars will prove a very valuable reference for their depth of analysis, their lucidity, and their outlining of future options.' - Kevin Featherstone, Head of the LSE European Institute, London School of Economics 'Brexit and Beyond is a must read. It moves the ongoing debate about what Brexit actually means to a whole new level. While many scholars to date have examined the reasons for the British decision to leave, the crucial question of what Brexit will mean for the future of the European project is often overlooked. No longer. Brexit and Beyond bundles the perspectives of leading scholars of European integration. By doing so, it provides a much needed scholarly guidepost for our understanding of the significance of Brexit, not only for the United Kingdom, but also for the future of the European continent.' - Catherine E. De Vries, Professor in the department of Government, University of Essex and Professor in the department of Political Science and Public Administration Free University Amsterdam 'Brexit and Beyond provides a fascinating (and comprehensive) analysis on the how and why the UK has found itself on the path to exiting the European Union. The talented cast of academic contributors is drawn from a wide variety of disciplines and areas of expertise and this provides a breadth and depth to the analysis of Brexit that is unrivalled. The volume also provides large amounts of expert-informed speculation on the future of both the EU and UK and which is both stimulating and anxiety-inducing.' -Professor Richard Whitman, Head of School, Professor of Politics and International Relations, Director of the Global Europe Centre, University of Kent




Britain and European Integration Since 1945


Book Description

This book provides both a comprehensive introduction and a perceptive examination of Britain’s relations with the European Community and the European Union since 1945, combining an historical account with political analysis to illustrate the changing and multifaceted nature of British and European politics. Few issues in British politics since 1945 have generated such heated controversy as Britain’s approach to the process of European integration associated with the European Union. The long-running debate on the subject has not only played a major part in the downfall of prime ministers and other leading political figures but has also exposed major fault-lines within governments and caused deep and rancorous divisions within and between the major political parties. This highly contested issue has given rise to bitter campaigning in the press and between pressure groups, and it has bemused, confused and divided the public at large. Key questions addressed include: Why has Europe had such an explosive impact on British politics? What impelled British policymakers to join the European Community and to undertake one of the radical, if not the most radical, changes in modern British history? What have been the perceived advantages and disadvantages of British membership of the European Union? Why has British membership of the European Union rarely attracted a national consensus? Engaging with both academic and public debates about Britain and the European Union, this volume is essential reading for all students of British history, British politics, and European politics.




The Politics and Economics of Brexit


Book Description

This interdisciplinary book examines Brexit from a political economy perspective, enriched by insights from scholars of political science, history and law. Shedding light on the key motivations for Brexit, this incisive book seeks to better understand what shapes the UK’s political and economic preferences and the fundamental causes and issues that have moulded its stance on the EU.




Political Issues in Britain Today


Book Description

British politics has been revolutionized in the past ten years by two major factors: the hegemony of Thatcherism for eighteen years; and the current dominance of what some say is variant-Blairism--forged in opposition and enthroned in government since May 1997. This volume addresses key political issues which occupy the government and opposition, including: Blair's style of government, the philosophy of the welfare state and the question of its reform, policy-making in the oppressed local government sector, law and order, reform of the voting system, the effect of EU membership on British politics, the much criticized monarchy, privatization, the environment, education, standards in public life, the politics of the health service, and the usefulness of the House of Lords.




Britain in the European Union Today


Book Description

Europe remains the great fault line in British politics, the issue with the power to make or break prime ministers and government. This second edition offers a clear, concise introduction to the European Union and the role of Britain in European politics. Colin Pilkington explains how the EU has grown, and covers the impact of the EU on British policy-making and on European legislation. He also explores the British participation in the EU's legislative processes. New to this edition is coverage of the introduction of the Euro, the reform of the Commission, the Amsterdam Treaty, the elections of 1999, and Agenda 2000. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.




Political Issues for the Twenty-First Century


Book Description

Assembling accessible and informative essays on contemporary debates and future issues in politics, this rewarding volume focuses on political developments in UK, European and international issues, and modern theoretical debates and problems. Each essay establishes the historical context before providing a speculative analysis of possible future developments. The collection presents a range of challenging and provocative accounts that deal with some of the most delicate, complex and fundamental issues that affect people living in Western Europe in the twenty-first century.