Politics matter, to all of us. This brief and engaging new book shows us why. Avoiding jargon, it reveals that politics are both broad in scope and critical to our lives. Places and events that are not normally thought of as being 'political'-well beyond parliament and even government-are explored through provocative case materials. The book shows how the realm of politics has an impact on our everyday lives, and that our everyday lives are themselves 'political'. The arguments are presented in a highly reader-friendly style. The importance of politics is highlighted through stories, dialogues, and press cuttings about the specific case of refugees and asylum seeking in the UK and beyond. In turn, the book links the politics of asylum seeking back to ordinary, familiar situations which we can all recognize. The result is a genuinely original and accessible invitation to thinking about politics for students and curious general readers.

Introduction; 1. Why does politics matter?; 2. Who does politics?; 3. Where does politics happen?; 4. Who belongs to a political community?; 5. How does one encounter the state?; Conclusion.