The fifth edition of British Politics is a significantly expanded work that draws on the contribution of three new political scientists and redresses the balance between the historical context of British Politics and key theoretical debates. British Politics 5/e overcomes the traditional problem of looking at Britain in isolation and the narrow, institution-based approach to politics by re-focusing on the international context in which Britain operates, and the way in which globalization, Europeanization, and the marketization of the state have conditioned the nature of politics today. The text is both theoretically and practically informed, combining a descriptive account of the institutions and processes of the British political system with a lively and engaging discussion of new issues and policies. It addresses numerous contemporary topics, including the impact of a third term Labour Government; the threat to individual liberty in a post-9/11 world; the London 2005 bombings; Britain's destiny as a European partner; the implications of race and asylum-seeking; the growth and effect of direct action on the political system; and a health-check on democracy in an age of electoral decline. It also considers contemporary issues surrounding the public service; participation and representation; and democracy and accountability; while providing a detailed and accessible examination of a range of policy areas (economic, welfare, transport, education, law, immigration and defence) based on recent interviews conducted by the authors themselves with key political actors. ONLINE RESOURCE CENTRE For lecturers: seminar activities, essay questions, case studies, all figures and tables from the text. For students: annotated web links, political commentaries, multiple-choice questions and a time-line.

Part One: The Context of British Politics 1. Why Study British Politics?, David Richards 2. Understanding Politics, Martin Smith 3. Modes of the British State: From Government to Governance, David Richards 4. Ideas and Ideologies in British Politics, Dennis Kavanagh 5. The Structure and Evolution of British Society, Martin Smith 6. From Global Empire to European Partner, Andrew Geddes 7. Understanding Decline, Andrew Geddes 8. European Union Institutions, Andrew Geddes 9. The Europeanisation of British Politics?, Andrew Geddes Part Two: Institutions and Processes 10. The Constitutional Framework, Dennis Kavanagh 11. The Core Executive I: Prime Ministers and Power Dependency, David Richards 12. The Core Executive II: Ministers, Civil Servants and Power Dependency, David Richards 13. Policy-Making and the Managerial Framework, Martin Smith 14. The British State Today: Power, Meta-Governance and Regulation, David Richards 15. Local Government, Dennis Kavanagh 16. Quangos and Agencies, Martin Smith 17. A (Dis)United Kingdom? Devolution and the Policy Process, David Richards 18. Political Parties, Dennis Kavanagh 19. Parliament, Dennis Kavanagh 20. Elections and Voting, Dennis Kavanagh 21. Pressure Groups and Policy Networks, David Richards 22. The Decline in Representative Politics, Martin Smith 23. New Forms of Participation, Martin Smith 24. The Judiciary and Rights, Dennis Kavanagh 25. The Mass Media and Politics, Dennis Kavanagh Part Three: Policy 26. Economic Policy, Martin Smith 27. The Welfare State, Andrew Geddes 28. Health and Education Policy: The Welfare State We're In, Andrew Geddes 29. The Politics of Immigration, Asylum and Ethnic Diversity, Andrew Geddes 30. The Politics of Law and Order, David Richards 31. Foreign and Defence Policy, Dennis Kavanagh 32. Conclusion, Martin Smith

Dennis Kavanagh , University of Liverpool, David Richards , University of Sheffield, Andrew Geddes , University of Sheffield, Martin Smith , University of Sheffield

`Kavanagh et al use contemporary material to define core political ideas and appeal to the student perspective very well. This new edition focuses on the last 20 years of the British Political experience without overlooking important historical material, and so is meaningful for our new generation of students.' Judith Bara, Queen Mary University of London