British Politics: A Critical Introduction


Book Description

This book provides students with a critical introduction to the British political system and the context of contemporary British policy making. Too often the importance of interpretation, to any understanding of British politics is neglected. Attention to conveying factual information takes precedence over developing theoretical understandings. This book is different, in that it provides an account of British politics that is conceptually and theoretically driven. It not only outlines the key features of British politics but which also provides critical perspectives on them. McAnulla uses particular concepts and theories to illuminate the key dynamics of British politics i.e. to the ideas, practices and relationships that sustain the political system. Particular attention is devoted to understanding contemporary developments through an appreciation of the traditional dynamics of British politics. >




Political Analysis


Book Description

Political Analysis provides an accessible and engaging yet original introduction and distinctive contribution, to the analysis of political structures, institutions, ideas and behaviours, and above all, to the political processes through which they are constantly made and remade. Following an innovative introduction to the main approaches and concepts in political analysis, the text focuses thematically on the key issues which currently concern and divide political analysts, including the boundaries of the political; the question of structure, agency and power; the dynamics of political change; the relative significance of ideas and material factors; and the challenge posed by postmodernism which the author argues the discipline can strengthen itself by addressing without allowing it to become a recipe for paralysis.




British Politics: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

This book presents an introduction to the evolution and history of the British political system.




Introduction to British Politics


Book Description

This is the long-awaited third edition of Dearlove and Saunders' highly acclaimed, best-selling, textbook on British politics. The book has been completely rewritten, reorganized and updated, while retaining the distinctive style and approach of the earlier editions. At root, this book is about political power - how it is organized formally within the State and how it is exercised and influenced informally from outside. Written in lively and provocative prose, the volume presents the most systematic and penetrating analysis of who really runs Britain, to what end, and to whose advantage. Fully up to date, this new edition provides comprehensive coverage of the issues of the day - constitutional change, welfare reform, New Labour's Third Way, the European common currency, globalization, and much more. The volume also provides students with a highly readable and engaging guide to the key theoretical perspectives that have shaped the study of British politics. This outstanding volume will prove invaluable reading for all students of British politics, whether they are studying for A-level or undergraduate university courses. Please visit the accompanying website at: http://www.polity.co.uk/britpol




An Introduction to UK Politics


Book Description

A bold and unique introduction to UK Politics. This is the first textbook which breaks free from the conventional approaches that revolve around the Westminster bubble, instead drawing upon the diverse challenges facing citizens and decision-makers today. Leading experts are brought together in this carefully edited collection that spans traditional and critical approaches. An Introduction to UK Politics highlights central concerns facing British politics today, from ongoing colonial legacies to Britain’s inequality and the impact of decades of austerity. Spotlighted throughout are timely examples and latest research, drawing on topics spanning policy responses to climate change and the role of social class in educational outcomes; to the latest calls for increased devolution and shifting public opinion on UK Foreign Policy. This textbook is packed with features, including: · Case Studies to encourage critical thinking by presenting different perspectives on key events. · Theory Boxes which explore concepts in action. · Spotlight on Research showcases seminal and controversial publications to spark debate. · Annotated Reading Lists guide students to further readings. Unique to this text is a central focus on the role identities and inequalities play in contemporary British Politics. It offers students the tools to conduct analysis into the shifting dynamics in this major new action-focused, problem-based, and engaging introduction. And centrally, the book offers a compelling call to action – that is how we all have the capacity to shape British politics every day. An Introduction to UK Politics is essential reading for any undergraduate student studying UK or British Politics. Joanie Willett – Associate Professor in Politics, University of Exeter, UK Arianna Giovannini – Professor of Political Sociology, University of Urbino, Italy




British Politics: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

Tony Wright's Very Short Introduction to British Politics is an interpretative essay on the British political system, rather than merely an abbreviated textbook on how it currently works. He identifies key characteristics and ideas of the British tradition, and investigates what makes British politics distinctive, while emphasizing throughout the book how these characteristics are reflected in the way the political system actually functions. Each chapter is organized around a key theme, such as the constitution or political accountability, which is first established and then explored with examples and illustrations. This in turn provides a perspective for a discussion of how the system is changing, looking in particular at devolution and Britain's place in Europe.




Politics and Rhetoric


Book Description

Rhetoric is the art of speech and persuasion, the study of argument and, in Classical times, an essential component in the education of the citizen. For rhetoricians, politics is a skill to be performed and not merely observed. Yet in modern democracies we often suspect political speech of malign intent and remain uncertain how properly to interpret and evaluate it. Public arguments are easily dismissed as ‘mere rhetoric’ rather than engaged critically, with citizens encouraged to be passive consumers of a media spectacle rather than active participants in a political dialogue. This volume provides a clear and instructive introduction to the skills of the rhetorical arts. It surveys critically the place of rhetoric in contemporary public life and assesses its virtues as a tool of political theory. Questions about power and identity in the practices of political communication remain central to the rhetorical tradition: how do we know that we are not being manipulated by those who seek to persuade us? Only a grasp of the techniques of rhetoric and an understanding of how they manifest themselves in contemporary politics, argues the author, can guide us in answering these perennial questions. Politics and Rhetoric draws together in a comprehensive and highly accessible way relevant ideas from discourse analysis, classical rhetoric updated to a modern setting, relevant issues in contemporary political theory, and numerous carefully chosen examples and issues from current politics. It will be essential reading for all students of politics and political communications.




The British Political Process


Book Description

British Political Process: An Introduction is an exciting new text for students which clearly and simply explains the workings of the British political system. Written by those close to the political process, it provides an authoritative, reliable and manageable guide to understanding all the key elements of government and politics in Britain. It begins by placing British politics in context and then explores those areas which feature on British Politics courses. Benefits to students include: * an exploration of the key areas, including: the constitution; elections; parties; pressure groups and lobbying; media; parliament; Whitehall; the Prime Minister and Ministers; the EU; devolution; and the future of British politics * government documents which give unique insights into actual political processes, as well as figures, cartoons and tables which illustrate and summarise information and statistics in an accessible way * appendices provide useful information such as: a glossary of terms; a chronology of events; a digest of facts; and a guide to politics on the internet * a knowledgeable and experienced team of writers who offer a unique insight into British political processes.




Contemporary Political Concepts


Book Description

An introduction and conclusion bracket 11 papers from a November 1999 conference at the University of Huddersfield in which British scholars of politics consider fundamental concepts underlying the field. Among them are globalization, postmodernism, gender, empowerment, and social capital. Distributed in the US by Stylus. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR




Music and Politics


Book Description

Changes our picture of how music and politics interact through a rigorous and wide-ranging reappraisal of the field.