This textbook covers the A/S-level government and politics syllabuses offered by the main examination boards. Clearly written, with checklists, bullet points, chapter summaries, boxes and charts, revision notes and sample examination questions, as well as further sources of information, in both written form and on the Internet, this text should be an ideal information source for students preparing for the A/S-level politics examination. The book starts by giving a basic introduction to politics, defining what politics is, the nature of government and the basic concepts of politics and political action. It goes on to deal with popular participation, including democracy, elections, the electoral system and referendums; political parties, their role and functions, ideologies, theories and traditions of UK parties, the current state of parties with regard to policy, and the work of parties at local, national and European level. The book then goes on to look at the government of the UK, including Parliament, Prime Minister, Cabinet, Ministries and the Civil service, the relationship between the UK and the EU, and other representative institutions in the UK. The role of citizenship and the judiciary and the various issues of reform of politics in the UK, including electoral reform and constitutional reform conclude this textbook.