The Modern British Party System

The new edition of this successful book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview and account of the changing nature of party politics in Britain today. Webb and Bale draw on models of comparative politics in conducting a wealth of new empirical analysis to map and explain the ways in which the party system has evolved, and the parties have adapted to a changing political environment. Themes covered include the nature and extent of party competition, the internal life and organizational development of parties, the varieties of party system found across the UK, and the roles played by parties within the wider political system. The book also addresses the crisis of popular legitimacy confronting the parties, as well as assessing the scope for potential reform. While parties remain central to the functioning of Britain's democracy, public disaffection with them is as high as it has ever been; reform of the system of representation and party funding is warranted, but there are unlikely to be any panaceas.

Table of Contents:
1: Party Systems in the UK: An Overview 2: The Changing Electoral Market in Britain: From Mobilization to Competition 3: Understanding Electoral Change: Realignment or Dealignment? 4: How Parties Compete 1: Ideological Reputations and Manoeuvres 5: How Parties Compete 2: Programmatic Adaptation 6: How Paries Compete 3: Imagery, Media Effects, and Political Marketing 7: Conflict and Cohesion in Parties 8: Members, Leaders, and the Distribution of Power Within Parties 9: Party Organizational Resources 10: Parties and the Political System Appendix

About the Author :
Paul Webb is Professor of Politics at the University of Sussex, and has held previous and visiting positions at universities in the UK, Australia and Japan. He has researched and published widely on party and electoral politics and is editor of the journal Party Politics. He is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. Tim Bale is Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London. Previously he taught at Sussex University, Victoria University of Wellington and Sheffield University. He specializes in party politics in the UK and Europe and appears frequently in the British and international media.

Review :
A brilliant, mind expanding book — and very readable. Eye-opening unknown insights into the inner life of political parties will grip casual and expert readers alike. Leaders who resist reforms, beware complacency at growing public distrust and cynicism, this timely and lively book warns, for parties are vital components of our democratic life. In an age of extraordinary political flux, this authoritative analysis of shifting party allegiances and fragmenting political tribes is essential reading not only for students of politics but for anyone interested in the trends shaping public life. When so much of the media focus is on leaders this is a brilliantly researched and illuminating reminder that British politics is based around parties...making it a must read for all those that want to make sense of the changing political patterns around the UK.