The third edition of this best--selling, prize--winning textbook continues to lead the field with its widely acknowledged capacity to enthuse students through its challenging and thought--provoking style. With the reforming Blair government in its second term, evidence of popular disenchantment with traditional politics, globalization and new levels of terrorism, British politics continues in a state of dramatic flux. To chart the most recent developments in contemporary British politics, this edition has been updated in all its 22 chapters. aeo Coherent structure of this single--authored textbook makes it exceptionally easy to use and draws the threads together with a holistic perspective aeo Brings the subject to life by taking the reader beyond a factsa to the fascinating questions about power, ambition, intrigue and corruption in the real world of politics aeo Attractively presented, with memorable quotations, cartoons, photographs, diagrams and tables to enliven the text and make the learning process involving and informative aeo Glossary, impressive bibliography and up--to--date chronology. aeo Supported by a textsite designed for students and lecturers: www.polity.co.uk/kingdom Well established as a central text for students of British politics and government, the book has also proved of wide relevance throughout the social sciences.