Mastering British politics

371 Pages·1991·44.544 MB·English

by  F. N. Forman (auth.)

Mastering
British politics
Macmillan Master Series
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Mastering
Qsritish politics
Second Edition
F. N. Forman
M
MACMILLAN
©F.N.Forman 1985,1991
All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission
of this publication may be made without written permission.
No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or
transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with
the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988,
or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying
issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court
Road, London WlP 9HE.
Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to
this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and
civil claims for damages.
First published 1985 by
MACMILLAN EDUCATION LTD
Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 2XS
and London
Companies and representatives
throughout the world
ISBN 978-0-333-51253-1 ISBN 978-1-349-11203-6 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-11203-6
A catalogue record for this book is available
from the British Library.
First edition reprinted four times
Second edition 1991
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
00 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91
To the memory
of my father
0
Acknowledgements
The author and publishers wish to thank the following who have kindly given
permission for the use of copyright material:
Cambridge University Press for figures from The Machinery of Justice in England
by R. M. Jackson.
The BBC and Mr Speaker for the front cover photograph showing the House of
Commons Debating Chamber.
Basil Blackwell Ltd for table from Cabinet by Peter Hennessy, 1986.
Oxford University Press for table from The Foundations of European Community
Law, 2nd edn, by T. C. Hartley, Clarendon Press, 1988.
Every effort has been made to trace all the copyright-holders, but if any have
been inadvertently overlooked the publishers will be pleased to make the
necessary arrangement at the first opportunity.
Ocontents
Preface xi
List of figures Xlll
I THE POLITICAL AND ELECTORAL CONTEXT
1 British political culture 3
1.1 Key characteristics 3
1.2 Other significant features 8
1.3 Conclusion 9
2 The living constitution 11
2.1 Key characteristics 11
2.2 Views of the constitution 13
2.3 The scope for change 17
2.4 Conclusion 20
3 The electoral system 23
3.1 The system today 23
3.2 Criteria of assessment 27
3.3 Conclusion 30
4 Voting behaviour 33
4.1 Groups in the electorate 33
4.2 Main influences on voting 39
4.3 Continuing uncertainties 44
4.4 Conclusion 47
II SOURCES OF POWER, PRESSURE AND OPINION
5 The political parties 53
5.1 Ideological principles 53
5.2 Political functions 58
5.3 National organisation 60
5.4 Constituency activities 68
5.5 Conclusion 71
6 Pressure groups 74
6.1 Main functions 74
6.2 Organisation and power 76
6.3 Involvement in politics 81
6.4 Conclusion 85
viii Contents
7 The media 88
7.1 The current situation 88
7.2 The problems of the press 91
7.3 The problems of broadcasting 95
7.4 The media and politics 101
7.5 Conclusion 105
8 Public opinion 109
8.1 The composition of opinion 110
8.2 The formation of opinion 112
8.3 The effects of opinion 115
8.4 Conclusion 118
III PARLIAMENT
9 The Monarchy 123
9.1 Powers and functions 123
9.2 Relations with the public 130
9.3 Conclusion 133
10 The House of Lords 135
10.1 Composition 136
10.2 Powers and functions 138
10.3 Proposals for change 144
10.4 Conclusion 145
11 The House of Commons 148
11.1 Composition 148
11.2 Principal powers 152
11.3 Main functions 155
11.4 Prospects for reform 162
11.5 Conclusion 165
IV CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
12 Prime Minister and Cabinet 171
12.1 Cabinet machinery 172
12.2 Prime Ministerial power 179
12.3 The role of the Cabinet 184
12.4 Conclusion 188
13 Ministers and Departments 190
13.1 The work of Departments 190
13.2 The role of Ministers 194
13.3 The problems of government 198
13.4 Conclusion 201
14 The civil service 204
14.1 Composition and functions 204
14.2 Key aspects 210
Contents ix
14.3 Methods of control 215
14.4 The next steps 218
14.5 Conclusion 222
15 Policy and decision making 225
15.1 Stages in the process 225
15.2 Key aspects 234
15.3 Strengths and weaknesses 237
15.4 Possible improvements 239
15.5 Conclusion 241
v OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
16 Local government 247
16.1 Structure and personnel 247
16.2 Powers and functions 251
16.3 Financial arrangements 253
16.4 Central-local relations 257
16.5 Methods of central control 259
16.6 Whither local government? 262
16.7 Conclusion 265
17 The public sector 268
17.1 Public corporations 268
17.2 Regulation and control 272
17.3 Privatisation 275
17.4 Non-departmental public bodies 280
17.5 Other public bodies 282
17.6 Future prospects 284
17.7 Conclusion 286
18 The legal system 288
18.1 Criminal justice 288
18.2 Civil justice 292
18.3 Legal services reform 294
18.4 Judicial appeal 297
18.5 Citizens and the state 299
18.6 Administrative law 304
18.7 Conclusion 310
VI DEMOCRACY IN BRITAIN
19 Britain in Europe 317
19.1 Historical background 317
19.2 Legal and constitutional implications 319
19.3 Political and institutional impact 324
19.4 Possible future developments 330
19.5 Conclusion 334