The new British politics (4th ed)

"The New British Politics" is one of the most comprehensive and successful introductions to British politics ever published.

Now available in a fully revised and updated fourth edition, this clear, lively and authoritative text continues to provide readers with all they might need to shape and supplement their studies.

Written by internationally-known specialists from the top politics department in the UK, the book combines incisive and original analysis with direct presentation, specially tailored to the needs of lecturers, teachers and students of British politics from A-level to second year university.The new edition consolidates the strengths of the original text through: comprehensive coverage of all topics likely to arise on a course in British politics; chapters written by specialists to support essays and projects in each area; Special Briefings, Milestones and Glosses contextualise the issues under discussion and encourage deeper engagement; updated analysis of the role of Britain in the world, especially the 'special relationship' with the US, and the interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq; full review of devolution in Scotland, Wales and London after its first seven years; full coverage of areas such as local government, police and law, passed over in most texts; and, strong policy content with individual chapters on the environment, welfare, equal opportunities, gender and race. "The New British Politics" has an innovative design to enhance teaching and learning.

Each chapter starts with a preview and ends with a summary of the discussion.

This is consolidated through a summary table of important events in the field (Milestones).

Briefings in each chapter provide an easy way for gaining an in-depth background to the general discussion.Key terms are defined in the margins.

Projects and essays are suggested at the end of each chapter.

These form a basis for class exercises and a focus for summary revision.

There are annotated guides to further reading and useful websites.

The book's own companion website provides examples of good and bad essay writing, updates on political events, projects, essays and statistical data sets - all designed to stimulate ideas and discussion.

Lively cartoons and photographs illustrate and enliven textual discussion.

The authors, Ian Budge and David Mc Kay are Professors of Government at the University of Essex.

Ken Newton is a former colleague now at the University of Southampton.

John Bartle is a lecturer in Politics at the University of Essex.

All the authors are internationally-known specialists in their field, with many publications to their credit.