This book focuses on the use of British English as a power tool in contemporary British society. From the perspective of `Critical Language Study', F. analyzes the relationship between social context, social practice, and discourse, pointing out how discourse can be seen as social practice within a macrosocial context. Elements of this context such as common sense and ideology are discussed, as well as the relation between discourse and social change. The theoretical and methodological model is illustrated with an analysis of the discourse of Thatcherism.