Part I: Introduction 1. The Contemporary Landscape 2. The Political Culture 3. Past and Present: Historical Perspective and Legacies Part II: The Political Environment 4. The Uncodified Constitution 5. The Electoral System: Campaigns, Voting, and Voters 6. Political Parties: More or Less than a Two-Party System? 7. Interest Groups: Insiders or Outsiders? Part III: Governmental Decision Making 8. The Executive: Government at the Center 9. The European Union: Government above the Center 10. The New Assemblies: Government beyond the Center 11. Local Government: Government below the Center Part IV: Scrutiny and Legitimation 12. Parliament: Commons and Lords 13. The Monarchy: Above the Fray? Part V: Enforcement and Feedback 14. Enforcement: The Courts and the Police 15. Communication and Feedback: The Mass Media Part VI: Conclusion 16. Future Directions: The Polity under Challenge