Chapter 1
Taking in the Political Universe
In This Chapter
Differentiating between local and national politics
Building a very British democracy
Legislating within the parliament
Gauging the strength of the democracy
Scrutinising politicians and the media
Defining Britain’s place in the world
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.
– Plato, Greek philosopher
Plato’s quote highlights one – very cynical – way of looking at the wacky (and not so wacky) world of politics. But whatever your view of politics (or, for that matter, politicians), one thing’s for sure: the laws made by politicians have a direct impact on your life.
In this chapter I take a speed-of-light trip around the political universe, through the town hall, the newspaper rooms, Buckingham Palace and the UK Houses of Parliament, to the outer reaches of big international ...
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