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AbstractAmerican business enjoys significant advantages in politics, including a generally sympathetic culture, the loyal support of most Republicans, dominance of the interest group system and favourable incentives in the US political economy. However, these advantages are not as clear‐cut as is often imagined and are more likely to be used by corporations against each other than in defence of general business interests.

AbstractAnthony King was a keen follower of American politics. His writings on the subject combined his respect for democratic practices with a strong concern for deliberation in governance. These concerns, familiar from his writings on the UK, caused him to worry that American politicians campaigned too much and governed too little.

The unexpected victories of Donald Trump in the United States 2016 Presidential campaign and of the Leave campaign in the British referendum on membership in the European Union have important similarities in terms of campaign strategy, rhetoric and social bases of support. They are exemplars of a wave of right-wing populism that has swept across advanced democracies. The triumph of Brexit also raises questions about the future relationship between the United Kingdom and United States. While it is too early to be certain about either the impact of Brexit or the future direction of the Trump Administration, and despite ties between the Trump Administration and British politicians who campaigned for or subsequently supported Brexit, the United Kingdom could become much less useful as a diplomatic and economic partner to the United States after leaving the European Union.

American unions have been stronger and more politically active than a simple "exceptionalist" perspective would suggest. However, the combination of economic trends evident in other advanced democracies combined with an unsympathetic legal environment has made the decline of private sector unions in the US particularly severe. The growth of unions in the public sector compensates only partially for this decline and creates additional problems for the cause of organized labor in general.

In a sense, all the parties lost the British General Election of 2010. However, a number of factors including the skilled leadership of David Cameron resulted in the creation of a governing coalition composed of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that would have seemed highly implausible before and during the election campaign. The coalition, the first to be formed outside a national emergency since Britain became a democracy raises interesting questions about how its "Westminster Model" system will adapt.

In a sense, all the parties lost the British General Election of 2010. However, a number of factors including the skilled leadership of David Cameron resulted in the creation of a governing coalition composed of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that would have seemed highly implausible before and during the election campaign. The coalition, the first to be formed outside a national emergency since Britain became a democracy raises interesting questions about how its Westminster Model system will adapt. Adapted from the source document.