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Is Britain "sleepwalking into Europe"? How does our state cope with the forces of globalization? Can the nation remain united? Has New Labour captured the political agenda? Is the Conservative Party in meltdown? Is the British polity fatally contaminated with sleaze? Why is Britain becoming a more unequal society? Can the monarchy survive in a changing culture? British politics remains in continuing turmoil and the second edition of this prize-winning, best-selling textbook addresses the key issues in the lively, challenging and thought-provoking style of the first.The content is thoroughly updated to take account of developments on all fronts. Problems and controversies associated with membership of the European Union, which penetrate virtually all aspects of British politics, are given extended treatment throughout the book. In addition, an entirely new chapter on ideology focuses on the development and current state of the thinking that shapes the modern world. Although containing a thoroughgoing analysis of the constitutional and institutional structure of British government, a central goal of the book is to enthuse students by addressing the puzzling and fascinating questions about the reality of power in society. The student is encouraged to look beyond the formal structures into the hidden recesses of the state. The text is illustrated with cartoons, photographs, diagrams and tables to make the learning process involving and informative. There is also a glossary and up-to-date chronology. While the book has become well established as a central text for students of British politics and government, it has also proved of wide relevance throughout the social sciences.