List of authors ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii

Part 1 Context 1
Chapter 1 Introduction: explaining politics 3
Chapter 2 The historical context: globalisation 23
Chapter 3 The social and economic contexts 44
Concluding Comment: Progress on poverty 66

Part 2 Defining the political world 73
Chapter 4 Ideology and the liberal tradition 75
Chapter 5 Political ideas: key concepts 88
Chapter 6 Political ideas: the major parties 104
Chapter 7 Political ideas: themes and fringes 121
Concluding Comment: Finding the Third Way 137

Part 3 The representative process 141
Chapter 8 Elections 143
Chapter 9 Voting behaviour 162
Chapter 10 The mass media and political communication 177
Chapter 11 Pressure groups 205
Chapter 12 Political parties 231
Chapter 13 Pathways into politics 256
Chapter 14 Devolution 268
Concluding Comment: One party state? 286

Part 4 The legislative process 291
Introduction 292
Chapter 15 The changing constitution 297
Chapter 16 The crown 318
Chapter 17 The House of Commons 339
Chapter 18 The House of Lords 377
Concluding Comment: Constitutional reform 403

Part 5 The executive process 407
Chapter 19 The Cabinet and Prime Minister 409
Chapter 20 Ministers, departments and civil servants 437
Chapter 21 Civil service management and policy 458
Chapter 22 Local government 478
Chapter 23 The judiciary 499
Concluding Comment: The revolution in Whitehall 1979-99 522

Part 6 The policy process 525
Chapter 24 The policy-making process 527
Chapter 25 The politics of law and order 543
Chapter 26 Social policy 564
Chapter 27 Economic policy 579
Chapter 28 British foreign and defence policy under the Blair government 594
Chapter 29 Environmental policy 611
Chapter 30 Northern Ireland 633
Chapter 31 Britain and European integration 653
Chapter 32 Tony Blair's New Labour government: an interim assessment 679

Glossary 690
Index 702