Module description
This module provides an overview of the British political system in theory and in practice. British politics has become more turbulent in recent years with Brexit, the possibility of Scottish independence, the short premiership of Liz Truss, and the unpopularity of the current Labour Government. These events raise questions about the stability of the political system and the nature of its politics. This course aims to convey both the continuities and changes in British politics, offering explanations for the political turbulence. Students will learn about the key British institutional structures, such as Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Parliament. They will find out about key areas of change: the development of nationalism, electoral shocks, the use of social media, and responses to the COVID pandemic, and the Ukraine war.
The module will provide an insight into party and electoral systems. It will also consider how the British political system relates with the outside world, such as the impact of the Trump presidency. Students will combine study of institutions (familiar to Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy Department of Political Economy ‘A’ Level students) with the application of recent work in political science, such as on political behaviour.
Assessment details
2,000-word essay (50%) & 24-hour online exam (50%)
Educational aims & objectives
This module introduces the key features and changes in the UK political system since 1979 and discusses the extent to which they are peculiar to the UK or similar to those elsewhere. There is a particular focus on the nature of change over time in the political system, including changes in the legal system, devolution and nationalist movements, parliamentary reform, and the causes and aftermath of the European Union referendum of June 2016. It will explore the UK political system in a comparative perspective, exploring theoretical approaches (such as the core executive approach, and federal and consociational analysis). It will explain the operation and significance of institutions, players and social forces (such as economic trends and national identity). It will provide an awareness of the connections between the external environment within which politics operates and the internal domestic political system of the UK.
Learning outcomes
Having studied this module, students will be able to:
*demonstrate awareness of key features of the UK political system including the role of the Prime Minister and Cabinet government; the legal system; parties and the electoral system, and the UK's relationship with the European Union, international organisations, and foreign states
*critically evaluate different theoretical approaches to key political issues such as: the relationships between devolution and federalism; the applicability of the core executive model to UK government; theses of the presidentialisation of UK government as compared to rival interpretations such as prime ministerial pre-eminence; theories of multipartism in the electoral system;
* analyse and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the UK political system;
* apply this knowledge in written form