Democratic Turbulence in the United Kingdom

Numerous analysts have lately expressed concern about tendencies including democratic backsliding and populism occurring in many countries worldwide. This book considers such theories in the context of the United Kingdom (UK) in the period since 2016, examining Brexit and numerous other subjects. The author applies the techniques of the historian, drawing on a variety of primary and secondary materials. Offering both evidence-based assessment and polemic, the work presents its analysis in a variety of different forms, intended to convey the complexity and extensive sweep of the issues. The book concludes that, while they have precedents, UK democracy faces real and broad challenges. The author makes recommendations for addressing these problems.

Dr. Andrew Blick is Head of the Department of Political Economy, King’s College London, and Reader in Politics and Contemporary History. He has written numerous works on the UK constitution and democratic development. Before his academic career he worked in think tanks, the UK Parliament and No.10 Downing Street. He appears frequently on UK and international media, and gives evidence to parliamentary inquiries.