1st Edition
The Routledge Handbook of British Politics and Society
The Routledge Handbook of British Politics and Society conducts a rigorous, innovative and distinctive analysis of the relationship between British politics and society, emphasizing that the UK is now far from a monolithic, and unshifting, entity.
Examining the subject matter with unrivalled breadth and depth, it highlights and interrogates key contemporary debates on the future of the UK, the nature of 'Britishness', and the merits of multiculturalism, as well as contemporary criticisms of traditional institutions and the nature of representative democracy itself. Including contributions from key authors in their respective fields who bring their authority to bear on the task of outlining the current state of the art in British Studies, the book provides a fresh examination of the contrasts and the continuities across the whole field of British Politics and Society, while setting out agendas for future research.
The Routledge Handbook of British Politics and Society will be essential reading and an authoritative reference for scholars, students, researchers and practitioners involved in, and actively concerned about, research on British politics, society and culture.
Introduction
Mark Garnett
Part I: Institutions and Practice
1. The Core Executive
Peter Dorey
2. The Civil Service
Martin Smith and David Richards
3. UK Parliament
Louise Thompson
4. The Judiciary
Thomas Adams
5. Political Parties in Britain
Alexander Oaten and Peter Kerr
6. Elections and Voting
David Denver and Rob Johns
7. Media
Brian McNair
8. Politics and the Police: Recent developments in police governance and current issues surrounding police service delivery in England and Wales
Barry Loveday
Part II: Issues
9. Britain in the World
Stephen Barber
10. Economic Policy
Simon Lee
11. Social Policy
Hugh Bochel
Part III: Politics and Society
12. Gender and Political Representation
Elizabeth Evans
13. Ethnic Diversity
Timothy Peace and Nasar Meer
14. Politics in England
Colin Copus
15. England: The North-South Divide
Arianna Giovannini and Jonathan Rose
16. Scotland: Society and Culture
Murray Stewart Leith and Duncan Sim
17. Scottish and UK Politics: Convergence and Divergence
Duncan McTavish and Mark Garnett
18. Wales: Culture and Society
Martin Wright
19. Politics in Wales since Devolution
Diana Stirbu and Laura McAllister
20. The Politics of Northern Ireland
Neil Matthews and James Pow
21. Northern Ireland: Society and culture
Katy Hayward and Cathal McManus
Biography
Mark Garnett is Senior Lecturer in British Politics at Lancaster University, UK.
"This is a particularly timely publication which deserves to be taken seriously. The key aspects of British politics are analysed in a rigorous and systematic way by leading experts. I wish it well."
Kevin Hickson, University of Liverpool, UK.
"Not much is certain or fixed in British politics any longer. This book draws on a wide range of intellectual sources and different kinds of expertise to make sense of what is going on. The authors provide an essential and illuminating guide to political change in modern Britain."
Andrew Gamble, University of Sheffield, UK.
"Comprehensive but approachable, this wide-ranging collection deserves to be read by anyone wanting to understand the UK's ever-changing political landscape."
Tim Bale, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
