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

'Andrew Heywood's style is always clear, and the analysis crisp and decisive.' - The Times Educational Supplement '[Heywood] has the knack of summarising complex matters with succinct clarity.' - Talking Politics 'If you are looking for a single textbook to meet all your students' needs, this is the one!' - Linda Jeffries, Old Palace School, Croydon, UK

Andrew Heywood was Vice Principal at Croydon College and before that Head of Politics at Orpington College, UK. He is author of many bestselling texts including Politics and Political Ideologies. He was AS and A-Level Chief Examiner in Government and Politics (Edexcel).