The Parliamentary StateThis unique textbook addresses the `big questions' of political science: how the state operates and how it has been conceptualised in the United Kingdom. By focusing on parliamentarism and the key institution of parliament, it analyzes and illuminates both the theory and practice of the state. The result is a refreshingly lucid antidote to drier studies of the British constitution. The book deals with the fundamental issues of modern British politics: the party system; the challenge of corporatism and interest groups; the organization and structure of the central state; the territorial debates around devolution and relations with the European Community; and constitutional reform |
Contents
Parliamentary State | 6 |
Theories and Perspectives | 28 |
The Party System | 68 |
Copyright | |
4 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accountability administrative agencies argued authority Britain British government Bulpitt cabinet capitalist central centralised centre chapter civil servants civil service committees concept consent Conservative party constitutional corporatism corporatist CPGB critical morality crown-in-parliament decision democratic departments devolution dominant Eccleshall economic effect election electoral emphasis England English European European parliament executive extra-parliamentary Fabians franchise groups HC Debates Hence House of Commons identified importance individual institutions interests Irish issue Jessop Labour party leaders legislative legitimation liberal liberal democratic major marxist ment ministerial responsibility ministers monarch nineteenth century Northern Ireland paradox parlia parliament parliamentary democracy parliamentary party parliamentary sovereignty party organisation period pluralist policy communities political position practice principle procedures recognised reform relationship representative representative democracy role rule Scotland Scottish Scottish parliament social socialist society structure Thatcher theory tion traditional UK government union United Kingdom Westminster Whig Whilst Whitehall wider