Good Politician: Folk Theories, Political Interaction, and the Rise of Anti-Politics

People all over the democratic world do not trust political leaders and institutions. Populist politicians and parties try to take advantage of this. This book looks at anti-politics in the UK from the 1940s to the present, showing how it has grown in scope and intensity due to changing images of the good politician and modes of political interaction.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 324 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2018
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Surveys indicate a widespread lack of trust in political figures and institutions across a significant portion of the democratic world. Populist politicians and parties exploit this political disaffection, seeking to capitalize on the prevailing sentiment. Concerned commentators express apprehensions about the prevailing era of anti-politics. In the context of the United Kingdom, this book delves into the long-standing history of anti-politics, drawing upon responses to public opinion surveys, alongside diaries and letters collected by Mass Observation. By adopting a historical perspective, the book reveals how anti-politics has expanded in scope and intensity over the past half-century. This growth is attributed to the evolving perceptions of what constitutes a "good politician" and the changing dynamics of political engagement between politicians and citizens. The findings presented in this significant study offer valuable insights and a conceptual framework that can greatly contribute to the ongoing efforts to reform and enhance democracy.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 225 x 174 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108459815