Politics Today
3 total works
Over the past 30 years British politics has undergone something of a revolution: the collapse of close class allegiance to political parties; the relative decline of the British economy; the 18 year period of Conservative hegemony and related Labour impotence; the encroachments of control exercised by European institutions and the consequent discord amongst those who fear such influences; and the extraordinary emergence and enthronement in government of the Blairite New Labour Party. In addition, there have been major changes in the system of government including: a reshaped civil service; a modified parliament; modernizing political parties with changing ideologies; massive new media coverage; and, under Labour, an ambitious programme of reform. This book analyses and interprets the changing mosaic of political life in Britain over recent decades.
British politics has been revolutionized in between 1988 and 1998 by two major factors: the hegemony of Thatcherism for 18 years; and the current dominance of what some say is variant - Blairism - forged in opposition and enthroned in government since May 1997. Thatcherism introduced radical new imperatives for all levels and functions of government and a stern, often disapproving attitude towards Britain's European partners. Blair has retained the economic thrust of Thatcher but is more co-operative on Europe and unquenchably "modernizing" on everything else. 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 as well as the reform of the House of Lords. This edition contains 10 freshly written chapters.
Short, yet comprehensive. Completely up to date. Great value for money textbook by two established scholars .