Government and Politics

Course summary

Politics is about who gets what and how they get it. In that sense, it is about everyday life—conflict, argument and compromise. Aristotle described politics as the “master science” as it is the essence of everything. The course itself aims to widen students’ understanding of the key issues in modern society. It investigates where power now lies, how people are represented and the opportunities for change. This includes for example, debates over whether we should go to war, civil liberties, the influence of Europe, the United States and rising powers like China, the obstacles facing minorities plus the role of political parties and pressure groups. Politics is an intellectually challenging and rewarding subject. It opens our eyes to what is really going on in the world in which we live. A Level of Politics is particularly useful if you are considering employment in law, journalism or the civil service. The awareness and the skills that you develop through a study of politics, however, are relevant to almost every aspect of life. Features of the Course In the first year of A Level, there is a considerable focus on British politics. This will help develop an understanding of the key political institutions as well as examine broader issues such as the extent of political participation and representation. As students move deeper into the course, their understanding of British politics will be contrasted with an in-depth study of the government and politics of the USA. The third component of the two-year A Level course examines the role of ideas in politics with a specific focus on the philosophical ideas of liberalism, conservatism and socialism, and ecologism. There is no coursework in Level Politics. Key topics studied Government and Politics of the UK. Government and Politics of the USA/Comparative Politics Political Ideas.