Understanding British politics - what has shaped the system?

This course explains how the British political system has come to look as it does. We start by exploring some of the historical development of the British system, from monarchs to constitutional crises. We consider the history, traditions and current issues of different political parties, and the role of major institutions (such as unions, the Church of England, and industry). We will also explore the influence of the British media - including tabloid newspapers - and its effects on political culture. Finally, we look at some contemporary issues to show how these affect the way that politics is done in the UK.