Politics for teenagers

[Hullygully]

Any suggestions?

DS 15 wants to learn about politics, my ranting won't cover all the bases, he needs something ultra straightforward and accessible...

[MrsWobble]

i would start by encouraging him to read the newspaper and then discussing particular commentators views. any factual explanation of the Uk constitution, for example, is likely to be very dry and boring. why is your ds interested? what has sparked this? assuming it's not the legal/constitutional stuff then there's a book by matthew parris called something like Great Parliamentary Scandals which is quite a good read and has quite a lot of background as well as the details of the individual cases.

[Hullygully]

He wants to understand the different political parties, history, theories, devpt, policies etc. I have Radio 4 going every morning and shout at it a lot and he asks about all the different stuff. I said I'd try and find a nice clear concise beginner's guide rather than my extremely partisan exposition!

I have found a couple on Amazon: This May Help You Understand the World is one, but not one that specifically covers British politics.

I'll have a look at the Parris one.

[MMMarmite]

Not exactly what you were asking, but have you watched the West Wing? He might like it, it's a drama at heart but it got me really interested in US politics.

[Hullygully]

He might get a box set for chrimbo, especially as I haven't seen it either.

I've just ordered British Politics for Dummies - it looked a good start.

[greenhill]

I know it isn't a book but can you get him to have a look at the "democracy live" feeds on the BBC website as they do a range of links to the House of Commons, you.gov etc?

[Hullygully]

He needs to start a the beginning first. He wants to win arguments, he says...

[greenhill]

Duh, but no one wins in politics! I think the Dummies book is a great start.

[Takver]

Good on your DS. Probably not the first thing to read, but he might find Anthony Sampson's book 'Who Runs This Place?' an interesting read to understand the role of the civil service, how that interacts with government, where the judiciary comes in etc. Although it was printed a few years back (most recent edition probably from the late 90s?) I think it would still be relevant.

Its the sort of thing that would probably be available from the library, too, so no loss if he didn't like it

[vesela]

If you look this one up on Amazon it looks very thorough, if he doesn't mind a textbook - expensive new but 62p in good condition on Abe Books.

[Hullygully]

Thanks all.

Let the ordering begin..

[wisden]

Good thread. I watch the news with my DS (12) (and he reads the papers) and give him my opinion on things, but I can't always explain things in the best way so would like to find him something to read that explains it all in a child friendly way.
Wish they covered this more in schools.

[Hullygully]

Me too, wisden.

But then you'd have educated voters and where would that end...?

[Longtalljosie]

If he wants to win arguments perhaps some sort of debating society? Do they even exist any more?

It's probably a better grounding in politics than anything else actually. The understanding of how an argument can be turned on its head.

[Hullygully]

Yes, he does go to debating club at school, partly why he wants to be stronger in his factual knowledge.

[Longtalljosie]

Ah there you go then - back to the books.

Newsbeat's website has quite a few explainers...

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Hi Hully - I am quite evangelical when it comes to the subject of teenagers (and younger) learning politics and philosphy, they should be taught more at school as they are expected to be able to vote at 18 - how can they if they don't understand what they are voting for!!??

So kudos to your ds for being interested. Anyway I imagine if wants to win arguements he may find a basic understanding of the history of philosphy useful - Plato to Nato if you like. There is a really good set of books called "Introducing.." with different themes - I have Introducing Postmodernism but there is an Introducing Philosophy and Ethics etc. For an accessible introduction to post '45 Britain then this looks very good The very bloody History of Britain. Happy book hunting!

[Hullygully]

That looks great, I've ordered it. he used to love all the Horrible Histories so should be good.

[Hullygully]

Quite Pistey

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

I used that message ^^ to send a question I even asked for it not to be deleted. Trigger happy methinks!!

[jongleuse]

Has he done Orwell, 1984 etc at school? If so might like Homage to Catalonia. There's also a new YA book by Lydia Syson about the Spanish civil war called A World Between Us which looks good. I'm afraid all my suggestions are entirely partisan. Marx for Beginners (Marx in cartoons) is excellent too...(!)