A coherent overview of pressure groups in Britain and how they influence the government, accessible to non-specialist graduate and undergraduate students. Discusses what pressure groups are and how they are studied; their place in a democracy; their internal structures and dynamics; their cooperation and resources; and their relationship to the central government, Parliament, the press and public, and other pressure points. Distributed in the US by St. Martin's Press. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns and educational outreach or protest actions. Parties often espouse an expressed ideology or vision bolstered by a written platform with specific goals, forming a coalition among disparate interests. An advocacy group is a group or an organization which tries to influence the government but does not hold power in the government. A single-issue group may form in response to a particular issue area sometimes in response to a single event or threat. Some have developed into important social, political institutions or social movements. Some powerful Lobby groups have been accused of manipulating the democratic system for narrow commercial gain and in some instances have been found guilty of corruption, fraud, bribery and other serious crimes; lobbying has become increasingly regulated as a result. Some groups, generally ones with less financial resources, may use direct action and civil disobedience and in some cases are accused of being a threat to the social order or ‘domestic extremists. Research is beginning to explore how advocacy groups use social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action. Contents: • Political Parties • The Role of Political Parties in Constitutionalising Governance • The Systemic Role of Parties and Interest Groups • Functions of Pressure Groups • Growth of Pressure Groups • Legal Representation of Interests • Social Movement • Social Movement in India

This volume, first published in 1967, offers a new approach to the study of pressure groups, whose importance in the British political system has been increasingly recognised in recent years. Francis Castles seeks to throw light on this topic, firstly by examining the theoretical approaches to an understanding of their role in the political process and secondy by presenting a number of specific studies. For the first time, in one small volume, the reader can become acquainted with pressure groups in continental Europe, Scandinavia, the United States, the totalitarian countries, and the emergent nations. The study is comprehensive in itself and also an invaluable guide to more detailed work in this field of political science.

Over the last thirty-five years British politics has undergone something of a revolution: the collapse of strong class allegiance to parties; the recovery of an economy once perceived to be in terminal decline; the near twenty-year rule of the of Tories; and the extraordinary emergence and establishment of the Blairite New Labour Party. Together with these changes we have also seen: the reshaping of the civil service; the establishment of devolved assemblies; the reform of the Lords; the decline of ideology; the apparent crushing of the Conservative Party; and the ubiquity of media management as a tool of political persuasion. This text outlines and contextualizes these major changes, and more.

This is a thematically unified survey of current and significant issues affecting interest group politics and scholarship in the USA. Petracca has drawn together interest group scholars and practitioners to write 16 original essays dedicated to making the best and newest research accessable to students at all levels. The mix of perspectives and approaches aims to offer a stimulating analysis of contemporary American interest group activity.

First Published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The revised and updated eighth edition of the bestselling textbook Politics UK is an indispensible introduction to British politics. It provides a thorough and accessible overview of the institutions and processes of British government, a good grounding in British political history and an incisive introduction to the issues facing Britain today. With contributed chapters from respected scholars in the field and contemporary articles on real-world politics from well-known political commentators, this textbook is an essential guide for students of British politics. The eighth edition welcomes brand new material from eight new contributors to complement the rigorously updated and highly valued chapters retained from the previous edition. The eighth edition includes: · Britain in context boxes offering contrasting international perspectives of themes in British politics. · A comprehensive 'who's who' of politics in the form of Profile boxes featuring key political figures. · And another thing ... pieces: short articles written by distinguished commentators including Jonathan Powell, Michael Moran and Mark Garnett. · Fully updated chapters plus new material providing excellent coverage of contemporary political events including: The Leveson Inquiry, the aftermath of the 2011 riots and the House of Lords reform. · A vibrant and accessible new design to excite and engage students as the work through a variety of political topics. · A new epilogue to the book offering a critical perspective of the trials and tribulations of the Coalition Government, including an overview of the major differences that divide the coalition partners.