Contemporary British Politics and Government

by Cocker, P. G.; Jones, Alistair N.; Cocker, Phil

• ISBN13: 9781903499016
• ISBN10: 1903499011
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-01
• Publisher: Liverpool Academic Pr

Table of Contents

Figures and Tables	7	(6)
Introduction	13	(4)
The Changing Constitution of Britain	17	(12)
Introduction	17	(1)
The Traditional Westminster/Whitehall Model of the Constitution	18	(4)
Changes to the Constitution	22	(5)
Conclusion	27	(2)
A Bill of Rights and Human Rights	29	(8)
Introduction	29	(1)
Human Rights Act 1998	30	(2)
Advantages	32	(1)
Disadvantages	33	(3)
Conclusion	36	(1)
House of Commons	37	(18)
Introduction	37	(1)
Functions of the House of Commons	38	(5)
Scrutiny of the Executive	43	(6)
Reform of the Commons	49	(4)
Conclusion	53	(2)
House of Lords	55	(11)
Introduction	55	(1)
Background and Development	55	(2)
Reform of the House of Lords	57	(3)
Functions	60	(3)
Future	63	(1)
Conclusion	64	(2)
Electoral System	66	(26)
Introduction	66	(1)
Main Features of Simple Plurality	67	(3)
Arguments for Retaining Simple Plurality	70	(5)
Arguments against Simple Plurality	75	(2)
The Jenkins Report	77	(2)
The Multi-Dimensional Approach to Electoral Systems	79	(2)
Alternative Electoral Systems	81	(7)
The Referendum in British Politics	88	(2)
Conclusion	90	(2)
Voting Behaviour	92	(18)
Introduction	92	(1)
The Current Interpretations	93	(6)
Alternative Classifications of Class	99	(2)
Alternative Factors in Explaining Voting Behaviour	101	(7)
Conclusion	108	(2)
Political Parties	110	(32)
Introduction	110	(1)
Functions of Political Parties	111	(4)
Development of the Party System in Britain	115	(2)
Reasons for the Dominance of the Two-Party System	117	(2)
Results of the Two-Party System	119	(2)
Decline in the Two-Party System	121	(2)
The Ideology and Structure of the Two Major Parties	123	(12)
Minor Parties	135	(4)
Conclusion	139	(3)
Pressure Groups	142	(15)
Introduction	142	(1)
Definition	142	(2)
Development of Pressure Groups	144	(2)
Typology of Pressure Groups	146	(2)
Methods of Operating	148	(3)
Assessment of Pressure Groups	151	(3)
Conclusion	154	(3)
Prime Minister	157	(23)
Introduction	157	(3)
The Sources and Strengths of the Prime Minister's Power	160	(10)
Constraints on a Prime Minister's Power	170	(5)
The Case against the Concept of Prime Ministerial Government	175	(1)
The Case for the Existence of Prime Ministerial Government	176	(1)
Conclusion	177	(3)
The Cabinet	180	(18)
Introduction	180	(1)
The Functions of Cabinet	181	(3)
The Size of the Cabinet	184	(1)
The Composition of the Cabinet	185	(3)
Collective Responsibility	188	(3)
Individual or Ministerial Responsibility	191	(1)
Cabinet Structure	192	(4)
Conclusion	196	(2)
The Civil Service	198	(17)
Introduction - Definition, Principles	198	(3)
Development of the Civil Service	201	(6)
Ministers and Civil Servants	207	(4)
Secrecy	211	(1)
Politicisation?	212	(1)
Conclusion	213	(2)
Quangos	215	(12)
Introduction	215	(1)
Definition	215	(1)
Functions of Quangos	216	(2)
Disadvantages of Quangos	218	(5)
Advantages of Quangos	223	(2)
Conclusion	225	(2)
Local Government	227	(18)
Introduction	227	(1)
Development of Local Government	228	(3)
Structure of Local Government	231	(3)
Functions of Local Government	234	(1)
Local Government Finance	235	(2)
Centre - Local Relations	237	(2)
Personnel	239	(3)
The Future of Local Government	242	(1)
Conclusion	243	(2)
Devolution	245	(28)
Introduction	245	(1)
Definition	245	(2)
Scotland	247	(8)
Wales	255	(7)
Northern Ireland	262	(6)
England	268	(2)
Conclusion	270	(3)
The European Union	273	(18)
Introduction	273	(1)
The Constitutional Relationship	274	(1)
The Political Relationship	275	(4)
The Institutions of the European Union	279	(7)
The Treaty of European Union	286	(2)
The Nice Summit, December 2000	288	(1)
Conclusion -- Britain the ``Reluctant European''?	289	(2)
Politics and the Mass Media	291	(14)
Introduction	291	(1)
The Political Role of the Media	292	(4)
Ownership and the Media	296	(1)
The Influence of the Press	297	(2)
The Role of Television	299	(2)
Coverage of By-Elections and General Elections	301	(1)
Conclusion -- the Trivialisation of Politics?	302	(3)
Politics of Inequality: Gender	305	(12)
Introduction	305	(1)
Under-Representation	305	(2)
Reasons Advanced for Under-Representation	307	(3)
Feminine Conception of Politics	310	(4)
Conclusion	314	(3)
Politics of Inequality: Ethnicity	317	(15)
Introduction	317	(1)
Race Relations - Immigration	317	(4)
Economic and Social Context	321	(2)
Political Context	323	(5)
Stephen Lawrence Case	328	(1)
Conclusion	329	(3)
The 2001 General Election	332	(10)
Introduction	332	(1)
The Campaign	332	(1)
The Opinion Polls	333	(2)
The Aftermath	335	(5)
Conclusion	340	(2)
Index	342