This course is a broad introduction to the government and politics of the United Kingdom. Going beyond the usual textbook explanations, it considers whether there is any future for a UK faced with the prospect of Scottish succession, the complexities of Brexit, and the economic pressures of globalization and inequality. We will study the central political institutions of the UK (Parliament, the core executive, the judiciary) and consider the extent to which they have been affected by voter apathy, devolution, and the fragmentation of the party system. Students will acquire a good knowledge of how the British system of government works and the major challenges it faces.

The course serves very well as both a stand-alone introduction to British politics for all Edinburgh students and as a useful (but not required) starting point for further study of British politics in the School of Social and Political Science.