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Electoral Change Since 1945

ISBN: 978-0-631-16715-0

November 1996

Wiley-Blackwell

256 pages

Description
This book explores the nature of electoral change in Britain during the last half century. The period from 1945-70 was the classic era of two-party dominance at every level of British politics: at Westminster, county hall, and in the electorate. Since the early seventies Conservative and Labour hegemony has remained virtually unaltered in Parliament, but their grip has been loosened in local government, and the popular foundations of the two-party system have been eroded among voters.

Why has Britain evolved from a dominant to a declining two-party system during the last fifty years? This study considers alternative explanations for these developments, focusing on changes in voters, parties, and political communications.

The book provides students with a fresh and accessible perspective on theories of electoral change, placing developments in Britain within their broader comparative context, and challenging many conventional assumptions about trends in voting behaviour.

About the Author
Pippa Norris is Associate Director (Research) of the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Professor of Politics at the University of East Anglia.
Features
* Covers topic of key concern in run-up to forthcoming British elections.
* Explores nature of electoral change in post-war Britain, within a comparative context.
* Examines in particular, the erosion of two-party system since 1970.
* Draws on new research into all aspects of electoral change: voters, parties, and political communications.
* Covers topic of key concern in run-up to forthcoming British elections.
* Explores nature of electoral change in post-war Britain, within a comparative context.
* Examines in particular, the erosion of two-party system since 1970.
* Draws on new research into all aspects of electoral change: voters, parties, and political communications.