Government and Politics

Course summary

UK Government and Politics • UK Government – Constitution; Devolution; Parliament; Judiciary; Prime Minister and Cabinet. • UK Politics – Democracy and participation; Elections and referendums; Political parties; Pressure groups; The EU’s impact on Britain. US Politics and Comparative Politics • Government and Politics of USA – Constitution; President; Congress; The US Supreme Court; Elections and democracy; Political parties; Pressure groups; Civil rights. • Comparative politics comparing US systems and processes with the UK. This includes looking at comparative political theories. Political Ideologies • Conservatism including the works of Thomas Hobbes; Michael Oakeshott and Robert Nozick • Liberalism including the works of John Locke; John Rawls and Betty Friedan. • Socialism including the works of Karl Marx; Beatrice Webb and Anthony Giddens. • Nationalism including the works of Jean Jacques Rousseau; Giuseppe Mazzini and Charles Maurras. You will develop strong analytical skills and the ability to carefully consider opposing opinions when reaching balanced conclusions. You will be able to construct balanced, reasoned arguments and weigh-up various factors involved.