Government and Politics

Course summary

Politics is all around us and affects our everyday lives in a variety of ways, some of which are clear and obvious, others less so. The A-Level course looks at the politics of The United Kingdom and the United States of America. We will investigate the politics of both countries at a regional, national, and international level. In addition, we will examine and evaluate the main political ideologies that underpin global political thought and policies. We do not try to come up with definitive answers to a range of key themes but the course endeavors to develop the ability to identify and frame the important questions to allow a better understanding of the context and scope of modern politics. 1: Government and Politics of the UK • The nature and sources of the British constitution and the role of the judiciary • The structure and role of Parliament alongside the role of the Prime Minister and their Cabinet • Democracy, participation, elections and referendums • Political parties and Pressure groups • The impact of Devolution and the European Union on UK politics 2: Government and Politics of the USA • The constitutional framework of the US Constitution and the role of the Judicial branch • The structure and role of Congress alongside the role of the President • The electoral process and direct democracy • Political parties and Pressure groups • Civil Rights in the US politics 3: Political Ideas • Core ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism, and Socialism • Other ideology of Nationalism