The new edition of this best-selling textbook, from the UK's leading politics textbook author, is written specifically to meet the needs of students who are studying AS level Government and Politics. It is a lively, accessible and comprehensive introduction to the subject, and gives full coverage of the Edexcel and AQA specifications and the core requirements of other boards. This third edition has been thoroughly revised to cover the election of a Conservative majority government after a term of coalition politics. Key features: * Previews - introduce each chapter and highlight the key areas to be covered* Getting you thinking - discuss the issues raised by a recent event or development* On-page definitions - define key terms in a single sentence * What is... boxes - flesh out political ideas and concepts * Focus on... boxes - explain important political processes* By comparison - contrast aspects of the UK and US political systems (which forms one of the required unit options for assessment)* For or against? - give the arguments on both sides of contentious issues* What you should know - reinforce the central points of each chapter* Exam-style questions - test understanding and help with exam preparation