website title
Student Zone - Further Reading
The guide includes links to web material where appropriate.
It uses the Harvard system for hard copy citations and these link to the full
entry in the Consolidated List Of Sources on this site which provides a unified
listing of sources, incorporating the recommended reading already provided in
the book itself.
Chapter 1
The classic introduction to the nature of politics is Crick
(2000). A standard American work which is particularly strong on the
study of power and authority is Dahl (1984). Professor Crick chaired a committee
on the teaching of citizenship: its report (Crick 1998) is a very good
introduction to the study of the subject in a British setting. Finer
(1997, 3 volumes), is an exhilarating and demanding read. Laswell
(1950) is probably the most influential 'political science' statement about
the nature of politics. Birch (1978) is excellent on issues of
representation and is rooted in Britain. A very good introduction to the
historically controversial meaning of democracy is Macpherson
(1971). An
excellent collection of essays about the methods of studying politics, with a
particular British 'bias' is Marsh and Stoker
(2002). Goodin and
Klingemann (1996), quite advanced, nevertheless is immensely rewarding in
surveying the discipline of political science. The classic statement of a
modern 'elite' theory of democracy, and an exhilarating read for any social
scientist, is Schumpeter (1943.1976).
Beetham (1991) is an excellent
survey of ideas about authority, power and legitimacy.
The best web site for this chapter is http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk an amazing site maintained by one man, Richard Kimber, and a wonderful door into the often wacky world of political studies.
Chapter 2
Colley (1996) is a famous
interpretation of the emergence of British identity. Kumar (2003) examines
the issue of English identity. Although not on Britain alone, a wonderful
introduction to the historical background is Hobsbawm
(1962/1997), which
introduces the idea of the significance of the 'two revolutions' (French and
Industrial) referred to in this chapter. More ruminative, and more focused
on domestic politics, is Harrison (1996).
Gamble (1981/94) is definitive
on 'decline'; English and Kenny (2000) give a good sense of the
different voices in this debate. Timmins (1995) vividly tells the story of
the welfare state. Fraser (2003) is a more orthodox academic history.
Greenleaf (1983, 1983a, 1987) though never easy is a hugely rich account.
Kennedy (1989) is an interpretation of British imperial decline that sets
decline in wider accounts of the rise and fall of nations. Alford (1996)
is excellent on the British economy in the world economy. Gamble (2003) is
excellent on the 'crossroads' in British foreign policy. Cain and
Hopkins (1993, a and b) is now a 'classic' study of the historical roots of
the economy/state/City of London/imperialism connection.
The best web site for this chapter is that of the Institute for Contemporary British History, http://icbh.ac.uk
Chapter 3
The single most illuminating
collection of studies of British society is edited by Halsey and Webb (2000) -
comprehensive in range, and given an especial value because it traces changes
across the twentieth century. Two annual official publications from The Office
of National Statistics - the government's publishing arm - are invaluable,
their value increasing yearly since they commonly contain time series going back
over more than thirty years: they are Social Trends and Regional Trends. At the
time of writing the 2004 editions are available. An invaluable account of
models of capitalism that 'sets' Britain internationally is Coates
(2000).
A good summary study of the changing occupational makeup is Gallie
(2000).
The standard study of the subject of occupation is Routh
(1987). Gallie et
al (1998) trace late twentieth century changes. Key issues of gender can
be explored in Martin and Roberts (1984),
Hakim (1998) and Rubery
et al
(1998). Peach et al (2000) are summarily standard on immigration and
ethnicity. Hannah (1983) is standard on the long term changes in the
structure of the firm. Barr (2001) can be used to trace issues about
equality and inequality.
The best web site for this chapter is that of the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion, http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk
Chapter 4
The most stimulating,
authoritative, and partly sceptical, study of the economic globalisation
which has done so much to transform the traditional model of foreign relations
is Hirst and Thompson, (1999). A hugely useful collection of papers is in
Held and McGrew (2000). Oxford Review of Economic Policy (1999) is
fascinating on long term economic changes over the 20th century in the world
economy. A vast, stimulating and highly readable panorama of the history
of the international system in which Britain plays a key part is Kennedy
(1989).
The most important scholarly study of the European movement is Milward
(1992). Gamble (2003) is very illuminating on the tensions between American and European
fates for the United Kingdom. Barnett
(2001), highly polemical, is
nevertheless excellent on historical visions of Britain. Sanders (1990)
studies British 'post imperialist' foreign policy.
A very good journal for this
chapter, not confined to Britain, is New Political Economy, available in all
good academic libraries.
The best web site for this
chapter is maintained by the Royal Institute for International Affairs: http://www.riia.org
Chapter 5
This chapter is, in the widest
sense, about the 'political culture' of the UK: about the understandings,
popular and elite, which shape thinking and behaviour about the rule of the
game. Any beginner to the study of Britain should read the great historic
classic, Bagehot (1867/1963).
Harrison (1996) is in many ways
an attempt to reimagine Bagehot for the modern world. The
outstanding modern student political science student of the Constitution is
Bogdanor: see 2003, 1996 and 1995. The outstanding modern theorist of the
Constitution is Marshall: see 1980 and 1984.
Brazier is the most
accessible and wisest public lawyer for political scientists to read: Brazier
(1999) is the best single author study on the constitutional foundations of
political practice; Brazier and de Smith (1998) is the standard text on
constitutional law; while Brazier (1998) is still worth reading despite the
passage of time. The authoritative modern collection on constitutional theory
and practice is Jowell and Oliver (2000).
Foley (1999) is an outstanding analytic
study of the Constitution. On political culture, the two modern 'classics'
are Almond and Verba (1963 and 1980).
Parry, Moyser and Day (1992),
while a study focused on participation, is a mine of information on cultural
patterns. Hall (1999) is excellent on themes of trust and deference.
Weir and Beetham (1999) is a sceptical interrogation of the democratic political
culture.
The best web site for this
chapter is provided by the Constitution Unit at University College London: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit
Chapter 6
The most important overview of the government of the
European Union is Nugent (2002). A very good study of 'dynamics' -
the institutions in operation - is Beach
(2005). Dinan (1999) is a study
of the integration process. The most important historical study of the
development of the Union is Milward (1992); however,
Urwin (1995) is perhaps
easier for the beginner. George (1998), though now dating, is the standard
history of the relations between Britain and the Union. An exceptionally
important chapter length study of the Europeanisation of the system of
government is Bulmer and Burch (2000), while
Bulmer, et al (2002) explore the
impact of Europe on the devolved system. Cowles
and Dinan et al (2004) is an overview of institutional and policy developments.
Two studies of particularly important and contentious issues in Britain are by
Grant (1997) and Levitt and Lord (2000).
Young, H. (1998) and
Young J. (2000) are two rather different (in style) accounts of the modern
history of Britain and Europe.
For this chapter there is also one outstanding
specialised journal which produces a stream of material, the Journal of
Common Market Studies, available in most academic libraries.
The best web site for this chapter is the European Union
portal: http://www.eu.int/index_en.htm
Chapter 7
The most important work on
the core executive is by Burch and Holliday
(1996); they have updated many of
their findings in Burch and Holliday (2004).
Smith (1999) reports detailed
research on relations in the core executive. Mackintosh
(1962), a work
from an older tradition, is still the best historical study of the Cabinet.
Hennessy (2000) is great, highly vivid and opinionated, on Prime Ministers since
1945. Foley (2000) is a provocative study of Prime Ministerial
institutions. Kavanagh and Seldon (1999) is a study of an important
neglected subject: the support behind the Prime Minister. Marsh, et al (2001)
report important work on the reshaping of the Whitehall system. Smith and
Richards (2000) uses the modern vocabulary of core executive to offer a
comprehensive survey, while Theakston (1999) is also useful. The two
volumes collected by Rhodes (2000) report the most ambitious modern studies of
how the centre of British government is changing. Kaufman
(1997) is
very entertaining, and instructive. Theakston (1987) is a study of a
neglected group. The Hutton Report into the death of Dr David Kelly in
2003 was highly controversial; this has deflected attention from its importance
as a very rich source on news management in the core executive, and much else:
see Hutton 2004 and 2004a.
For this and the next chapter
an invaluable journal (not confined to Britain) is Public Administration.
The best web site for this chapter is that provided by the Cabinet Office: www.Cabinet-Office.gov.uk
Chapter 8
Moran (2003)
is a study of the 'regulatory state' in Britain. The study of
regulation has grown enormously in a short space of time: for reviews see Moran
(2002). Pyper (1995) remains an excellent study of the civil service.
Hood
et al (1999) study the reorganisation of inspectorates and regulators.
Greer (1994) is a study of the whole 'Next Steps' process;
Jenkins, Caines
and Jackson (1988) is the original document, and well worth reading.
Rhodes (1997) studies the impact of the new governance theories on the
structure of government, while the studies collected in the two volumes of
Rhodes (2000) are a mine of information. Prosser (1997) is the outstanding
study of privatisation regulation. Prime Minister (1999) is a very good
statement of the 'Blairite' reform orthodoxy. Skelcher (1998) though
now a little dated is an exceptionally important study of quasi-government and
British democracy. Flinders (2001) is a study of the whole problem of
accountability in this new world.
A very good
journal covering this area, and more, is Public Administration.
The best web
site for this chapter is provided by the Centre for the Study of Regulated
Industries: http://www.bath.ac.uk/CRI
Chapter 9
Three exceptionally important works which have stood the
test of time to achieve the status of 'classics' are: Beer
(1969/82); Middlemas, 1979; and Grant and Marsh
1977.
Grant (2000) is an
authoritative survey of the field. Richardson and Jordan (1979) has
endured as the standard modern statement of our understanding of the group
world. On business, Blank (1973) examines the history of business representation
historically. Self and Storing (1962) is a 'classic' on one of
the most important groups, farmers; while Eckstein (1960) is likewise on
doctors; for up date on the latter, see Klein
(1995). On trade unions,
Moran (1977) is useful on the historical development, while Marsh (1992)
examines the crucial Thatcher legacy. Greenwood (1997) surveys the European
scene. Book length studies of the new movements are still thin, but
a lot of good work is being reported in journals: see for instance Doherty et al
(2003).
The best web site for this chapter is the portal (already
cited) at http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk
Chapter 10
The most important modern single academic study is Judge (1993); see also Judge 1999. The most distinguished modern student of Parliament is Norton: (1981), though dated, is still the most comprehensive statement; Norton (1990), (1998) and especially 2005 are all valuable. Riddell (2000) looks at Parliament under Blair. Silk and Walters (1998) at Parliamentary mechanics. Cowley (2002) is the latest instalment in a growing literature on the voting behaviour of MPs; see also Cowley (1998).
Russell (2000) very helpfully sets the debates about
Lords reform in longer term, comparative perspective. Though it
never came to much, the Report of the Royal Commission on Lords
Reform (2000) is
invaluable for the student.
This chapter has two journals that publish a stream
of specialist work, The Journal of Legislative Studies, and Parliamentary
Affairs, available in most good academic libraries.
The best web site for this chapter is that for the
Westminster Parliament, with numerous appropriate links: www.parliament.uk
Chapter 11
The subject of this chapter has produced one classic study,
though its argument is probably wrong: Nairn
(1981). Pilkington (2002) is a pithy overview of
devolution. Long before devolution appeared on the political agenda,
academics were examining the stresses in the UK system: see for instance Bulpitt
(1983) and Hechter (1975). Kumar (2003) examines the neglected
matter of English identity. Bogdanor (1999) was a first attempt to discuss
the devolution reforms; Hazell has since produced an annual 'audit',
the latest being Hazell (2003).
Marr (1995) is an excellent
study by a leading political journalist. Northern Ireland has produced a
huge literature, unsurprisingly. The single most important study is
O'Leary and McGarry 1996 (at the time of writing a revised edition is
promised). Rose (1971), based partly on work before the troubles started,
is still important. Arthur and Jeffery (1998) is a succinct modern
narrative; Tonge (2002) is a good overview;
English (2003) is probably the best
single piece of scholarship produced by the whole tragedy.
The best web site for this chapter is that maintained by
the ESRC research programme on devolution: www.devolution.ac.uk
Chapter 12
Wilson and Game (2002) are standard on the whole system.
Greenwood, Pyper and Wilson (2001), while less authoritative, are very useful.
Skelcher (1998) is excellent on the webs of local governance.
Leach and
Percy-Smith (2001) give a sense of a key theme of this chapter: the links of the
private and the public. The great struggles of the 1980s mark both
an intellectual and political watershed in local government and many of the
older studies, while excellent, now have a highly historical air: see for
instance Hampton (1970) and Hampton (1987) and
Jones (1969). Bulpitt (1983) is a key source on the whole issue of centre versus locality.
A great classic from the earlier era is Lee
(1963). Stoker (2004)
integrates the latest 'governance' language into the study of the subject;
Stoker (1991) is also still well worth reading. Try Wolman and
Goldsmith (1992) or, Denters and Rose
(2005) for a comparative perspective. Two books by Rhodes
(1988) and (1999) pioneering studies of the modern approaches. Pimlott and
Rao (2002) are authoritative on the very important 'exceptional' case of the
government of the capital city. Butler et al (1994) is a study of a
defining moment of policy catastrophe, the Poll Tax.
The best web site for this chapter is http://www.info4local.gov.uk/
This is provided by central government for local government, but it is a mine of
information about both the institutions and practices of local government, and
central government/local government relations.
Chapter 13
The classic study of participation in Britain, and the
essential starting point for any study of participation and British democracy,
is Parry, Moyser and Day (1992). At the time of writing results are still
coming out from later studies of new forms of participation, but Pattie, Seyd
and Whiteley (2003) is an important source. Putnam (2000) created a
sensation when it appeared, and while it concerned the United States aroused
wide interest in the UK. Hence the importance of Maloney et al
(2000),
referred to in the text of this chapter, is that it suggests a considerably
brighter condition for social capital than might be inferred from Putnam. Cain et al (2003) is an important collection of comparative essays which
describes the wider social forces reshaping participation, and thus illuminates
a key theme of this chapter - that participation has not declined, but
changed. Much of the reading covering subsequent chapters, notably on parties
and on voting, is highly relevant to this subject. In particular, the
landmark studies of party membership by Whiteley, Seyd and collaborators are
vital: see Whiteley, Seyd and Richardson
(1994) (1992) and
Seyd and Whiteley (2002); and Whiteley and Seyd
(2002). Wood (2000) is a
very good study of an unorthodox form of participation, by medical patients,
while Weir and Beetham (1999) is important on participation and democracy.
Denver (2002) is good on participation through the vote.
The best web pages are provided by the ESRC Democracy
and Participation Programme, with links to individual projects, some of which
have home pages which contain numerous free goodies, such as papers: http://www.essex.ac.uk/democracy/
See in particular the project run from the University of Salford: http://www.esri.salford.ac.uk/ESRCResearchproject/output.php
Chapter 14
Webb (2000) is the most important
modern study of parties. McKenzie
(1963), the great classic study, is a
'must' for any serious beginner on the organisation and history of parties.
Pinto-Duschinsky (1981) is a great study of finance, with implications that go
well beyond finance, and the work of Fisher (for instance 2003) always keeps the
story up to date. Whiteley and Seyd (2002) are authoritative on party
activism, while Seyd and Whiteley (1992) and
Whiteley, Seyd and Richardson
(1994) report in more detail on the Conservative and Labour parties.
Studies of the organisation of parties beyond the big two are very thin and
these parties are probably best still approached through now dated studies:
Newton (1969) on British Communism, Benewick
(1969) and
Husbands
(1984) on Fascism. A collection on the Liberal Party (Bogdanor 1983) is
still useful, but the great study of this whole part of the spectrum is Crewe
and King (1995) on the SDP.
For this and the next chapter
there is an excellent specialist journal, which covers far more than Britain:
Party Politics, available in all good academic libraries.
The best web site for this chapter is the main regulator
for political parties in Britain, the Electoral Commission: www.electoralcommission.gov.uk
Chapter 15
The most
important work on the ideology of modern Conservatism is Gamble
(1994). Gamble (1974) ranges back in the history of Conservative ideology.
Harris
(1972) while nominally about the Conservative Party is much wider in its
ideological range. Beer (1969/1982) is a classic on both Conservative and Labour
ideology. Furious historical debates on the character of Labour ideology
are best explored via Howell (1980). A pithy statement of the character of
New Labour is Coates (2000). Work on nationalism generally is highly
relevant to the study of the ideology of nationalist parties: see in particular
the classic by Nairn (1981). Nairn is quite 'scottocentric' as
are the lively, journalistic studies by Marr (1992) and
Marr (1995).
But invaluable on nationalist and all other ideologies is Leach
(2002).
The home pages of the political
parties, with their self descriptions of ideologies, are easy to find by
Googling. A fascinating portal for the student of party ideology is
provided by the political theory Daily Review, maintained Alfredo Perez, from
the New School for Social Research in New York: http://www.politicaltheory.info
Chapter 16
Seymour-Ure (1996) is the best
historical overview of the development of the mass media system. Watts (1997) is more elementary but perhaps therefore more accessible.
Blumler and Gurevitch (1995) is an important study of the crisis of political
communication. Cockerell (1988) is good on the reporting of
'Westminster' politics. Negrine (1995) is a good general overview.
Marr (2005) is an 'insider' account of reporting by a distinguished
journalist and all the more valuable for that. Bartle and Griffiths (2001)
is a collection focused on change. Mughan (2000) examines the connection
between media effects and governing styles. The complex and difficult
issue of media effects, on which this chapter draws, has been explored in
several landmark papers by Newton and Brymin: see Newton and Brymin (2001) and
Brymin and Newton (2003).
The most famous media study
group in Britain is the Glasgow Mikin group. An excellent web site for the group
is at http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/sociology/units/media.htm
Chapter 17
Denver (2002) is
authoritative, up to date, and wonderfully clear - ideal for the beginner.
Butler and Stoker (1974) was the first great study of voting behaviour and set
the intellectual agenda for decades. Clarke et al (2004) introduce and
survey the most up to date evidence and political science models, in a subject
which has been more subject to political science professionalisation than most;
they are the latest in a team of 'British Election Study' students who have
authoritatively surveyed successive general elections for nearly forty years.
Heath et al (1985) and Heath et al (1991) and Heath
et al (2001) were the
'election studies' team before Clarke et al, and these publications report
their findings. The 'Nuffield' studies of successive British elections
are now a British institution: at the time of writing the most recent, on 2001,
is Butler and Kavanagh (2002). Farrell (2001) is best on electoral
systems. Butler (1963) is a history of the electoral system. The
study of electoral behaviour is one of the most methodologically sophisticated
parts of the study of British politics. A 'classic' which has shaped
much subsequent theory, and very accessible, is Downs
(1957); McLean
(1982) is a good introduction to the whole field.
The journal Electoral Studies, not confined to Britain,
is a constant source of up to date reports and scholarship; available in all
good academic libraries.
The best web site for this chapter is the UK Data
Archive, at http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/
The archive contains far more than electoral data, but is the central repository
in the UK. Access requires registration via the Athens system.
Chapter 18
Parry (1969) provides the essential theoretical frame for
studying the issue of recruitment of political leaders. Guttsman
(1963) was a pioneering study, still unrivalled for its historical depth, of the
social background of leaders; Johnson (1973) carried the story forward;
Moran
(1985/1989) updated some more; but since then the steam seems to have gone
out of this kind of work. However, each successive volume of the Nuffield
Series of election studies (Butler and Kavanagh since 1974) has had an
invaluable chapter on the social make up of candidates and MPs see Butler
and Kavanagh, 2002. Norris and
Lovenduski (1995) and Lovenduski and Norris (2003) are essential on dimensions
neglected in earlier work, notably gender. Theakston (1999) examines
leadership in a key arena, while Leach and Wilson (2000) look at local
leadership. Hennessy (2001) surveys the apex - the office of Prime
Minister - for the post-war period. Skelcher (1998) is good on the
'patronage' route to the top. Select Committee on Public
Administration reports (2001 and 2003) are two goldmines, especially on the
patronage route.
An indispensable web site for anyone interested in routes
to the top is that provided by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
It has a profound effect both on how leaders are recruited, and how they are
supposed to behave once they get there: http://www.public-standards.gov.uk/
If you want to know how rulers are now supposed to behave, look at this site; if
you want to know how they (sometimes) misbehave, type 'British political
scandal' into Google.
Chapter 19
Rhodes (1997) is a very accessible introduction to
theories of the policy process and multi-level governance. Parsons (1995)
is comprehensive on theories of the policy process. Lindblom and Woodhouse
(1993) is very lucid, brief introduction if a bit dated now. Moran,
Goodin and Rein (2006) is a wide ranging introduction to the very latest
theories in the study of policy. The idea of non-decisions and negative
decisions is still best described for the beginner by Lukes
(originally 1974, 2nd ed. 2004). Heffernan and Thompson (2005) is very up to date on power and decision, and
since it is written for an Open University course is a model of clarity. Dunleavy (1995) is
a seminal study of policy failure in Britain.
Moran (2001)
introduces the debate about British policy failures, and examines some
spectacular examples. Butler, Adonis and Travis (1994) is a famous study
of a great policy fiasco, the Poll Tax.. Margetts (1999) is a study of
high technology policy and its failures, with the added bonus of American
evidence. . Hood (1994) and Hood (1998), quite advanced,
are key on the whole theory of policy failure. Hood, Rothstein and Baldwin
(2001) introduce the idea of risk and policy, and provide some good, concrete
case studies.
The best web site for this chapter is http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/CARR/
This is the Centre for the Study of Risk and Regulation at the London School of
Economics. A copy of the Centre's magazine on risk and regulation, which
contains short accessible articles on these themes, can be downloaded from
the site.
Chapter 20
The idea of policy framing central to this chapter derives
from one of the classics of policy analysis: Schon and Rein
(1994).
A key argument of the chapter is that the issues argued over in British politics
are often short lived. The best way to pursue the chapter's themes
is therefore to follow the everyday polemics that dominate policy debates, most
obviously in a good newspaper. However, Jones
(2004), from which some of
the examples in this chapter are drawn, is a model of how to think about
everyday policy controversies in their wider setting, while Robins and Jones
(2000) show how political debates are central to our understanding of British
politics. Pilkington (1998) is excellent in describing the traditional world of
policy controversy which, I have argued, is increasingly being superseded.
The substance of this chapter is concerned with current
events, and the way we understand them. The most important reading, beyond
the academic work already cited, therefore lies in the contemporary material on
other issues which you may identify as the time unfolds. For this the web
comes into its own as a 'real time' source of a huge range of material.
For the immediate reconstruction of events for narrative purposes, the site of a
good news organisation is hard to beat; most also have good search engines and
good archived material. Two especially useful ones are the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk
) and The Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk
) both of which are at the time of writing accessible without charge, though
charging is increasingly common.
The site you need for this chapter is a good portal
allowing you to explore many current issues in British politics.
Maintained from the Centre for Digital Library Research at Strathclyde
University, http://bubl.ac.uk is precisely such a portal.
Chapter 21
A great study of the key place of taxation in resource
raising is Steinmo (1993); it has the added merit of dealing with Britain
alongside other leading nations. Heclo and Wildavsky (1974) was the
standard study of public spending policy until the appearance of Thain and
Wright (1995), which remains the best modern study of public spending
policy. But chapter 7 of Grant
(2002), though short, is outstanding
for the beginner. Indeed virtually all of Grant is very good for the
subject
of this chapter. Dilnot and Emerson (2000) summarise the evidence about
the long term rise of government as an appropriator of resources. Crafts
et al (1991) have an overview of the economy and its management. Goodin
and Le Grand(1987) though now obviously dated, is still the best introduction to
the vexed question of whether the provision of public goods contributes to
equality. Barr (2001) is on similar themes but more general; but
Hills (2004) and Hills and Falkingam (1995) are vital.
The best web site for this chapter is provided by the
independent think tank, the Institute for Fiscal Studies www.ifs.org.uk.
Chapter 22
Bradley and Ewing (1997) is a standard text on
Constitutional Law. Reiner (1992) is authoritative on the development of
politics and policing. Griffith (1991/1997) began a prolonged debate about
the impartiality of the judiciary, one which has deeply affected many of
the changes described in this chapter. Le Seuer (2004) examines the most
recent changes. Hood et al (2000), chapter 6, is a rare 'political'
analysis of the prison service. The Butler Report (Butler 2004) threw an
even rarer light on the workings of the key security machinery; likewise
the material generated by the Hutton Inquiry, Hutton 2004 and
2004a.
This is among the fast changing of all the areas examined in this chapter.
A good way to follow it academically is to check two important journals: Public Law and the
Modern Law Review, in all good academic libraries.
Most of the web sources, though absolutely vital for this
chapter, are highly partisan in different ways. The best is provided by
Statewatch, a group set by lawyers in 1991. It is avowedly
'libertarian' but its main page provides a huge range of links to reports,
official and otherwise, from right across the European Union: http://www.statewatch.org/
Chapter 23
For many years 'Democratic Audit', operating from the
University of Essex, has been publishing audits of democracy and rights in
Britain (and elsewhere). Its continuing work is always worth tracking
down: see in particular Beetham, et al
(2002). Macpherson (1999) is
invaluable both as a document reflective of the time, and as a source of
information. Leggatt (2001) though an official document is an invaluable
map of the Tribunal system. Heffernan and Thompson (2005) is excellent on
issues of power and democracy. Moran
(2003), chapter 3, is a handy
summary on the robustness, or otherwise, of the system of self-regulation.
Senvirante (2002) is comprehensive and up to date on Ombudsmen, and has the
added strength of some comparative material. Jowell and Cooper (2003)
describe the latest important human rights developments.
It is hard to work on this area from book sources alone,
because especially since the terrorist attacks on New York in 2001 revolutionary
changes have been taking place in the relations between the state and the
citizen. At the very weekend when this section was written, for instance,
the government rushed onto the statute book a major new law aimed at restricting
the freedom of presumed terrorist suspects. The journal Public Law is a
vital source for keeping up to date; while the site of Statewatch (see chapter
22) is also excellent for this chapter.
A great web site which covers the wonderful world of
Ombudsmen, private and public, is that of the British and Irish Ombudsmen
Association: http://www.bioa.org.uk/
Chapter 24
The best way to carry forward the themes of this chapter,
and this book, is to look back, to look out and to look forward. Colley
(1996) is a wonderful study of the 'forging of the nation'. Coates
(2000) is a partisan, scholarly and highly original study of the world system
and Britain's place in it. Gamble (2003) directly addresses the future
of the 'world island', his evocative phrase for Britain.
The best web site for this chapter is the site for Democratic Audit from the University of Essex, an immensely rich resource for the student of Britain and the student of democracy: http://www.democraticaudit.com/
