First published in 2003. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

First Published in 2003. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

First published by Methuen in the 1980s Volume I: The Rise of Collectivism: This volume establishes the central theme that the most important feature of British political life since the nineteenth century has been the extension of the role of government at all levels. Volume II: The Ideological Heritage: The second volume reviews the development of the three main political ideologies in British politics: Conservatism, Liberalism and Socialism, with special reference to the ways in which they have affected or responded to the rise of collectivism. Volumes III and IV: A Much-Governed Nation Parts 1 and 2: Examining the way in which our political arrangements have been adapted and extended to deal with the wider range of responsibilities thrust upon them, these two volumes also describe the changes in the main traditional institutions (Local government, the Civil Service, the Cabinet, Parliament etc) as they deal with the growth of the state, as well as looking at the increased use of delegated legislation and administrative tribunals.

"In the face of the most perilous challenges of our time--climate change, terrorism, poverty, and trafficking of drugs, guns, and people--the nations of the world seem paralyzed. The problems are too big for governments to deal with. Benjamin Barber contends that cities, and the mayors who run them, can do and are doing a better job than nations. He cites the unique qualities cities worldwide share: pragmatism, civic trust, participation, indifference to borders and sovereignty, and a democratic penchant for networking, creativity, innovation, and cooperation. He demonstrates how city mayors, singly and jointly, are responding to transnational problems more effectively than nation-states mired in ideological infighting and sovereign rivalries. The book features profiles of a dozen mayors around the world, making a persuasive case that the city is democracy's best hope in a globalizing world, and that great mayors are already proving that this is so"--