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Author Crewe, Emma, author

Title The House of Commons : an Anthropology of MPs at Work / Emma Crewe
Published London, UK ; New York, NY : Bloomsbury Academic, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2015

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Description 1 online resource
Contents Joining the House -- Allies and Adversaries -- Constituents' Champions -- Rulers and Whips -- Scrutiny and Making Trouble -- In the Shadow of the Law -- Reading the Runes
Summary "The House of Commons is one of Britain's mysterious institutions: constantly in the news yet always opaque. In this ground-breaking anthropological study of the world's most famous parliament, Emma Crewe reveals the hidden mechanisms of parliamentary democracy. Examining the work of Members of Parliament -- including neglected areas such as constituencies and committees -- this book provides unique insights into the actual lives and working relationships of parliamentarians. 'Why do the public loathe politicians but often love their own MP?' the author asks. The antagonistic faca̧de of politics irritates the public who tend to be unaware that, backstage, democracy relies on MPs consulting, compromising and cooperating across political parties far more than is publicly admitted. As the book shows, this is only one of myriad contradictions in the labyrinths of power. Based on unprecedented access and two years of interviews and research in the Palace of Westminster and MPs' constituencies, The House of Commons: An Anthropology of MPs at Work challenges the existing scholarship on political institutions and party politics. Moving beyond the narrow confines of rational choice theory and new institutionalism, Emma Crewe presents a radical alternative to the study of British politics by demonstrating that all of its processes hinge on culture, ritual and social relations."--Publisher's description
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Vendor-supplied metadata
Subject Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons
SUBJECT Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons fast
Subject Politics & government.
Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography.
Parliamentary & legislative practice.
Anthropology.
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- Legislative Branch.
SUBJECT Great Britain -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056868
Genre/Form dissertations.
Academic theses
Academic theses.
Thèses et écrits académiques.
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781474234603
1474234607
9781474234597
1474234593
9781474234610
1474234615
9781474234580
1474234585
1474234577
9781474234573
9781336212442
1336212446