Like the first, this edition covers the core features of A level and first-year university syllabuses - the constitution, parliament, prime minister and departments, voting, parties, the media, pressure groups and local government, in the wider context of British political life. All chapters have been thoroughly revised and new chapters on the management of government services, environmental policy, the EC and the politics of law and order have been added. This edition also has more material on social inequality, elections and voting behaviour, quasi-government and the European dimension of British politics. Concluding comments have also been updated where relevant to cover contemporary issues such as trial by jury for the judiciary and public order.