A major European power, a leading voice in world affairs, birthplace of the parliamentary system, the pioneer of industrialization, and a dominating influence on Western culture, British society has shaped the world and continues to do so, even as today it finds itself adapting to a new globalized order.
In this completely revised and updated second edition of Contemporary Britain. best-selling author John McCormick provides an authoritative and thought-provoking introduction to British socie

List of Illustrations, Maps, Figures, Tables and Boxes
Preface and Acknowledgments
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1 The Historical Context
The Emergence of the British State
Postwar Adjustment, 1945-79
The Thatcher Revolution, 1979-90
Blair and Beyond
2 Land and People
The Geography of Britain
Natural Resources
The Environment
The People of Britain
Nationalism and Regionalism
Immigration and Race
3 The Social System
Social Class
The Changing Family
Social Services and Health Care
Education
Law and Order
4 Government and the Political System
Principles of Government
The Constitution
The Monarchy
Prime Minister and Cabinet
Parliament
The Judiciary
The Bureaucracy
Local Government
5 Politics and Civil Society
Political Culture
Elections
Political Parties
Interest Groups
6 The Media
The Economy
The Structure of the Economy
From Hands-off to Hands-on, and Back Again
Britain in the International System
The Economic Implications of Europe
7 Culture and Lifestyle
Culture
The Identity of Britain
The Arts
Sports and Leisure
Religion
8 Britain and the World
The Changing British Role in the World
The Commonwealth
The Atlantic Alliance
Britain and the European Union
The Changing Role of the British Military
Conclusions
Recommended Reading
Britain Online
Bibliography