Political Power and Democratic Control in Britain

Democratic Institutions and Practices is the second study carried out under the Democratic Audit of the UK. This volume explores the formal institutions and processes of the liberal democratic state: including the executive, elections, parliament and the civil service.

David Beetham, Stuart Weir

Introduction 1. Auditing Democracy in Britain 2. Ancient and Modern Part I Elections and Mandates Introduction 3.The Other National Lottery 4. The Independance of Elections 5. Sticking to the Manifesto Part II The Core Executive Introduction 6. Does the cabinet really govern? 7. Ministers and mandarins 8. Agents of power 9 Below the centre 10. Networks in power 11. The Rules of the Game Part III Checks and Balances Introduction 12. Giving account to Parliament 13. A Parliament bound 14. Heckling the steamroller 15. The rule of law Part IV The Balance Sheet Findings Good in parts Conclusions Tying down Gulliver