This document provides an overview of key topics in UK politics and government, including the features of liberal democracy, important historical developments that shaped modern UK politics, the English Revolution and Glorious Revolution, the effects of industrialization, and political developments in the post-1945 period including Atlee's Labour government and Thatcher's rollback of the state. It also discusses debates around the declining importance of social class and the increasing importance of gender and multiculturalism in British social context.

1. Introducing Politics & Government Monday 15 Sept. 2008

2. Liberal democracy What is liberal democracy? What are the core features of a liberal democracy?

3. UK politics in context Historical context 1. What are the 3 important developments that have helped to shape the modern UK?

4. Crown and Parliament 1. Why is the English Revolution of the 17 th century often viewed as the first modern political revolution? 2. What was the Glorious Revolution of 1689? 3. In what way was it a key moment in Britain’s constitutional history?

6. The rise of industrialisation 1. In what way was the UK the ‘workshop of the world? 2. How did industrialisation change Britain internally? 3. How did industrialisation change Britain externally?

8. The post-1945 period 1. How is UK politics since WW2 divided up? 2. What were the two radical, reforming governments? 3. How did Atlee’s Labour government ‘roll forward’ the state? 4. What was ‘Butskellism’? 5. In what ways did the Thatcher government ‘roll back’ the state? 6. How significant was the election of Tony Blair and ‘New Labour’ in 1997?

10. Social context 1. What are the arguments for and against the decline in the importance of ‘social class’? 2. What has been the political importance of gender in British politics? 3. How multi-cultural is the UK?