Contemporary Britain

Book abstract:

This volume is one of the series 'Contemporary States and Societies', which aims to provide lively and accessible introductions to key countries and regions of the world.

The book is organised over eight chapters augmented by an introduction and a conclusion and illuminated with several maps and photographs. The first chapter gives the historical background from the Romans to Thatcher. Geography and resources are covered in chapter two. The class system and British society are the focus of chapter three. Government, the monarchy and major institutions are featured in chapter four. Britain's political culture is explored in the fifth chapter and in chapter six the structure and performance of the British economy is discussed, with emphasis on the period post-war through to the place Britain holds in the global trading system and the European Union. The state of the arts in Britain is surveyed in chapter seven through theatre, film television and popular music to an examination of the role of religion and sports in national life. Chapter eight looks at Britain's place in the world with an examination of key relationships with the Commonwealth, the Atlantic alliance, the United States and the European Union and closes with an evaluation of the changing status of the British military.

The work will interest students seeking a concise yet informative view of the British way of life.