Your updated and revised guide to British politics So, you want to be knowledgeable about British politics but don't know where to start? You've come to the right place! British Politics For Dummies is your essential guide to understanding even the trickiest questions surrounding politics in the UK. In no time, you'll have the confidence to discuss the ins and outs of past and present elections, political leaders, parties and ideologies. Packed with understandable information on the origins, history and structure of the UK parliamentary system, British Politics For Dummies offers a fascinating glimpse into the rollercoaster world of politics. Explaining everything from key political ideologies and the spread of democracy to the current election process and the differences between political parties, this hands-on, friendly guide is an ideal companion to British politics and elections. Includes expanded coverage of coalition governments, devolution and independence efforts Provides updated information on UKIP and Britain's place in Europe Serves as a helpful guide to elections and British political parties electoral systems, voting behaviour and trends and the role of pressure groups and the media Offers a fascinating examination of British politics on the world stage Whether you want to get to grips with British politics and government or build your knowledge beyond the basics, this updated edition of British Politics For Dummies is the place to start.

Your updated and revised guide to British politicsSo, you want to be knowledgeable about British politics butdon't know where to start? You've come to the right place!British Politics For Dummies is your essential guide tounderstanding even the trickiest questions surrounding politics inthe UK. In no time, you'll have the confidence to discuss the insand outs of past and present elections, political leaders, partiesand ideologies.Packed with understandable information on the origins, historyand structure of the UK parliamentary system, British PoliticsFor Dummies offers a fascinating glimpse into the rollercoasterworld of politics. Explaining everything from key politicalideologies and the spread of democracy to the current electionprocess and the differences between political parties, thishands-on, friendly guide is an ideal companion to British politicsand elections.* Includes expanded coverage of coalition governments, devolutionand independence efforts* Provides updated information on UKIP and Britain's place inEurope* Serves as a helpful guide to elections and British politicalparties--electoral systems, voting behaviour and trends andthe role of pressure groups and the media* Offers a fascinating examination of British politics on theworld stageWhether you want to get to grips with British politics andgovernment or build your knowledge beyond the basics, this updatededition of British Politics For Dummies is the placeto start.

Introduction 1Part I: Getting Started with British Politics 5Chapter 1: Taking in the Political Universe 7Chapter 2: Understanding Why Politics and Politicians are Important 21Chapter 3: Looking at Participatory Democracy 35Chapter 4: Examining Political Ideologies 49Chapter 5: Forming the British Political State 67Part II: Elections and Britain's Parties 81Chapter 6: Counting the Votes: Differing Electoral Systems 83Chapter 7: Voting Behaviour and Trends 99Chapter 8: Homing in on Political Parties 117Chapter 9: Piling on the Pressure Groups 141Chapter 10: Scrutinising Politics and the Media 161Chapter 11: Taking Politics to the Masses: Social Media 175Part III: The Ins and Outs of Parliament 183Chapter 12: Examining Britain's Constitution 185Chapter 13: Britain's Parliamentary Democracy 199Chapter 14: Gazing at the Summit: The PM and Cabinet 221Chapter 15: Assessing Ministers and Civil Servants 237Chapter 16: Taking in the Courts and Judiciary 249Chapter 17: Laying Bare Local Government and Devolution 261Chapter 18: Focusing on Devolution and the Independence Debate 271Part IV: Politics Worldwide 291Chapter 19: Understanding Britain's Place in the World 293Chapter 20: Taking In the International Stage 303Chapter 21: Expanding Horizons: Europe and the EU 317Chapter 22: Leading the Free World: US Politics 335Part V: The Part of Tens 353Chapter 23: Ten Great Prime Ministers 355Chapter 24: Ten Major Political Scandals 363Chapter 25: Ten Political Events That Shaped the Modern World 371Chapter 26: Ten Political Trends for the Future 379Index 385