This comprehensive introductory text starts by charting the origins and evolution of the shift from public administration to public management and moves on to assess the main theories and debates about its character, benefits and problems. After consideration of the party political issues and debates and continuities and discontinuities between the approaches of Thatcher, Major and Blair, the core of the book assesses the main dimensions of change in the organization and content of public sector organization and activity.

This important new text provides an up-to-date account of the complex interrelationship between politics and the media in Britain. It starts by setting key policy areas in the context of technological convergence, globalization and initiatives at European level. It then addresses the key issues the role of the media in politics and elections.

The Labour Government has unleashed a new dynamism in urban policy and politics in Britain and given rise to a variety of initiatives including elected mayors, regional development agencies and assaults on social exclusion and educational standards, to name but a few. This lucid and accessible text analyses the key changes in approach and policy since the 1970s - especially the increased role of the market and its implications for the legitimacy and accountability of local political structures. It provides a valuable introduction to the development and an insight into the opportunities and...

This comprehensive introductory text starts by charting the origins and evolution of the shift from public administration to public management and moves on to assess the main theories and debates about its character, benefits and problems. After consideration of the party political issues and debates and continuities and discontinuities between the approaches of Thatcher, Major and Blair, the core of the book assesses the main dimensions of change in the organization and content of public sector organization and activity.

How do voters in Britain decide which party to vote for in elections?
Why do smaller parties get more support than they used to?
How do the mass media influence political opinions?
The authors examine these and other questions in the third edition of this popular text. They trace the evolution of the British electorate over the post-war period, and focus in particular on recent elections from Labour's victories in the 2000s through to the hung parliament of 2010.
As well as examining and explaining theories of party choice including the view that voters' evaluations of...

This fully revised new edition includes expanded coverage of Parliament's relationship with the courts, devolved assemblies and the European Union. Distinctively, the book goes beyond the usual focus of Parliament-Government relations to encompass policy-makers beyond Whitehall and Parliament's broader relationship with citizens.

This text provides a clear overview and assessment of the educational policy systems at work in the UK. Accessibly written and covering pre-school and Higher Education policy-making as well as Primary and Secondary, the author examines the evolution of education policy from the Education Act of '44 to the academies of today.

This text provides a clear overview and assessment of the educational policy systems at work in the UK. Accessibly written and covering pre-school and Higher Education policy-making as well as Primary and Secondary, the author examines the evolution of education policy from the Education Act of '44 to the academies of today.

As well as introducing the "mainstream" ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism, this text examines challenges from nationalist, feminist and Green thinkers, amongst others. Now in its third edition, it includes a new chapter on anarchism and assesses the continuing disillusionment of Britain with the ideas of the "Westminster elite."

The second edition of this popular textbook provides a systematic and comprehensive introduction to UK party politics, combining chapters on each of the main parties (Conservative, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party) with an assessment of post-devolution Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.