The transformation of British politics, 1860-1995
By: Brian Harrison.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Oxford; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 618
Subjects: Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 19th century.; Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 20th century.
Description: The British political system has been the model and the inspiration for many national governments world-wide. Yet it is now at the centre of controversial debate within Britain itself. Over the 130 years since Bagehot wrote his English Constitution, no historian has investigated in depth how it has evolved in all its dimensions, and few political scientists have looked further back than the Second World War.

This is the first book to provide a detailed explanation of how the British political system came to acquire the form it has today.

Brian Harrison's broad-ranging, authoritative analysis runs continuously from the 1860s to the 1990s. He investigates such topics as civil liberties, pressure groups, parliament, elections and the parties, central and local government, cabinet, and monarchy. He examines the international and cultural influences on the working of the political system, and concludes by surveying current proposals for reform.

With an ample guide to further reading, and a full chronology of leading events, this book will be essential reading for students of politics and history.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [503]-515) and indexes.