British Politics: A Critical Introduction

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This book provides students with a critical introduction to the British political system and the context of contemporary British policy making. Too often the importance of interpretation, to any understanding of British politics is neglected. Attention to conveying factual information takes precedence over developing theoretical understandings. This book is different, in that it provides an account of British politics that is conceptually and theoretically driven. It not only outlines the key features of British politics but which also provides critical perspectives on them. McAnulla uses particular concepts and theories to illuminate the key dynamics of British politics i.e. to the ideas, practices and relationships that sustain the political system. Particular attention is devoted to understanding contemporary developments through an appreciation of the traditional dynamics of British politics.

Reviews

'British Politics: A Critical Introductionis a well-argued book which makes a refreshing change from the rather weighty multi-authored textbooks which tend to confront today's undergraduates.' - John Greenway, Political Studies Review -- John Greenway
This is an odd sort of book, but one that many readers will find interesting and useful. McAnulla (Univ. of Leeds, UK) teaches social and political metatheory, and obviously believes in the power of theories and ideas to shed light on matters of importance. He argues that theory has been rather neglected (that old British practicality, one assumes). What McAnulla has provided is a wonderful compendium and inventory, almost a catalog, of a wide variety of topics in social science theory. The volume covers a range of ideas, including traditional models of British politics, current theoretical frameworks, dominant ideologies, key institutional relationships, and constitutional reform. Thus, McAnulla deals with the many analytical categories that have been used to analyze British politics. In the midst of what others have seen as a revolutionary shift, the author argues for the enduring power of the British political tradition. He even makes the argument that Blair's new labor can be accounted for in terms of traditional ideas and practices. A useful volume with a solid bibliography, but inexcusably expensive in hardback. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. * Choice *
'valuable' ~ Eric Shaw, Times Higher Educational Supplement, November 2006 -- Eric Shaw * Times Educational Supplement *

Author Bio

Stuart McAnulla is Lecturer at the School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds