Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ; 1.1 Why Study Politics? ; PART A POLITICAL CULTURE ; 2.1 Political Culture: Patterns and Issues ; 2.2 New Zealand Since the War ; 2.3 National Identity in a Global Political Economy ; 2.4 National Identity in a Diverse Society ; 2.5 Politics of Biculturalism ; 2.6 Ideology, Populism and Pragmatism ; PART B CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATE ; 3.1 Towards a Written Constitution? ; 3.2 The Treaty and the Constitution ; 3.3 An Independent Judiciary? ; 3.4 Monarchy or Republic? ; 3.5 Reforming Parliament ; 3.6 Role of an MP ; 3.7 Future of the MMP Electoral System ; PART C EXECUTIVE DEBATE ; 4.1 Cabinet ; 4.2 Dynamics of Government Formation ; 4.3 Leadership and the Prime Minister ; 4.4 Bureaucrats, Advisers and Consultants ; 4.5 Conscience Voting: Who Decides? ; 4.6 Strengthening Local Government ; PART D VOTERS AND ELECTIONS ; 5.1 How Voters Decide ; 5.2 Parties, Voters and the Media ; 5.3 Digital Campaigning ; 5.4 Debating Election Finance Reform ; 5.5 The General Election of 2008 ; 5.6 The 2008 Election: The Issues ; 5.7 The 2008 Election: Why National Won ; PART E MEDIA DEBATE ; 6.1 Democracy, the Public and the Media ; 6.2 Who Owns the Media? ; 6.3 Political Mediators ; 6.4 New Media and Democracy ; 6.5 Student Media ; PART F DEMOCRATIC DEBATE ; 7.0 Parties ; 7.1 Changing Party System ; 7.2 Labour ; 7.3 National ; 7.4 Greens ; 7.5 M?ori Party ; 7.6 Minor Parties ; 8.0 Participation ; 8.1 M?ori Participation ; 8.2 Asian Participation ; 8.3 Youth Participation ; 8.4 Decision-making by Referendum ; 8.5 Social Movements and Activism ; 8.6 Interest Groups ; 8.7 Participating in Agenda Setting

About the Author

Raymond Miller is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Political Studies, The University of Auckland.