Christopher Kirkland Livres

Focusing on the classification of various elections in Britain, this book expands on traditional first- and second-order election models by incorporating devolved elections like the Scottish Parliament and local offices. It examines the dynamic interactions among voters, media, and political parties, highlighting how these groups prioritize different elections. Through case studies, the author analyzes the distinct roles of each participant in the electoral process and concludes with a framework for understanding the significance of each election type.

This book offers a systematic exploration of the drivers and key ideas behind the Labour Party's economic ideology. In demonstrating how crises have affected the party's economic policy, the book presents a historical analysis of the party's evolution since its formation and offers insights into how future changes may occur.

This book explores two recent crises in British political economy: the crisis of 1976–9, for which the trade unions were impugned, and the 2007 economic crisis, for which bankers were (at least initially) blamed. The author argues that the “crisis resolution” of the former – principally the Thatcherite reforms of the 1980s – led to the emergence of the banking crisis. Further, Kirkland demonstrates how narratives of blame have emerged and were used in both instances to promote specific agendas. Narrations of blame and crises were used to curb the trade union powers in the 1980s, whilst the 2007 crisis was quickly reframed as one of excessive government spending, which in turn has led to policies of austerity.