PPR429: Politics and Policy-Making in Liberal Democracy

Objectives

The subject matter of the course will include, for example:

• Discussion of various academic approaches to policy-making in the UK, such as the 'Westminster Model' and the claim that the UK has moved from 'government' to 'governance' in recent decades.
• Parliament - its functions and performance.
• The impact of devolution.
• The policy-making role of political parties.
• The prime minister and cabinet.
• The civil service and special advisers.
• The impact of the European Union, NATO and other transnational organisations.
• Policy networks, pressure groups and think tanks.
• Elections, the media and public opinion.
• A case study on a specific policy issue.

A distinctive feature of the module will be a brief 'news round-up' at the beginning of each session. This module is not based on static subject-matter, and relevant new material is constantly appearing in the media. Students will be expected to show an awareness of key developments, based on a reading of a 'quality' daily newspaper or use of the internet.

Select Biblography

V Bogdanor, Devolution in the United Kingdom, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.

D Coates and P Lawler (eds), New Labour in Power, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2000.

P. Dunleavy, R Heffernan, P Cowley and C Hay (eds), Developments in British Politics 8, London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006.

J. Fisher, D Denver and J Benyon, Central Debates in British Politics, Harlow: Pearson Longman, 2003.

M. Garnett Principles and Politics in Contemporary Britain (2nd edition), Exeter: Imprint Academic, 2006.

M Garnett and P Lynch, Exploring British Politics (2nd edition), Harlow: Pearson Longman, 2009. W Grant, Pressure Groups, Politics and Democracy in Britain (2nd edition), New York: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1995.

J. Greenaway, S Smith and J Street, Deciding Factors in British Politics: A Case-Study Approach, London: Routledge, 1992.

I Holloway, 'Is the British State Hollowing Out?', Political Quarterly, Vol. 71, no.2 (2000)

A.G Jordan and J.J Richardson, British Politics and the Policy Process, London: Allen & Unwin, 1987.

S. Ludlam and M.J Smith, Governing as New Labour, London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.

D Marsh and R.A.W Rhodes (eds), Policy Networks in British Government, Oxford: Oxford University press, 1992.

M O'Neill (ed), Devolution and British Politics, Harlow: Pearson Longman, 2004.

Parliamentary Affairs, Vol. 58, No. 3 (2005) (special issue on political parties)

D. Richards and M Smith, Governance and Public Policy in the UK, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.

R.A.W Rhodes, Understanding Governance: policy networks, governance, reflexivity and accountability, London: Routledge, 1997.

R.Rogers and R Walters, How Parliament Works (6th edition), Harlow: Pearson Longman, 2006.

R.Rose (ed), Policy Making in Britain, London: Macmillan, 1969.

S Savage and R Atkinson (eds), Public Policy under Blair, London: Palgrave, 2001.

S Savage and L Robbins (eds), Public Policy under Thatcher, London: Macmillan, 1990.

M.J. Smith, The Core Executive in Britain, London: Macmillan, 1999.

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