In term 1 students will begin by examining the different forms of democracy that operate in UK politics: direct democracy and representative democracy. Students will assess the merits of each and look at the health of UK democracy with regard to turnout rates, political party membership and other forms of participation. Students will also examine the role of pressure groups, think tanks, corporations and lobbyists and whether these groups are healthy for UK democracy. There will be an examination of the franchise in the UK and what can be done to increase the franchise, looking at the possibility of extending the vote to prisoners and to those under the age of sixteen. The students will begin with an outline of the UK constitution, its historic development and the nature and sources of the constitution. Students will look at the changes made to the UK constitution since 1997.
Students will complete two essays, one on democracy and participation and one on political parties. this will be a 1 hour 30 minute exam.
the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it.
When the laws and rights of a country cannot change easily.
Where all sovereign power is centred in one place.
Traditions not contained in law but influential in the operation of a political system.
Laws made by judges in cases where the law does not cover the issue or is unclear.
A form of democracy in which the citizens that are registered to vote elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf.
When the public has become disengaged form politics and the turnout in election is very low.
When a democracy is not operating effectively because it is undermined by lack of accountability of the politicians and the political bodies.
The citizens' right to vote.
A research institute that may work closely with political parties with the aim to solve problems.
Students will develop and understanding of the democratic system and the rule of law. Will also be able to discuss different political views within this unit
Through group and individual work, students will be able to challenge the idea of democracy and the reasons for participation in the democratic process
In term 2, the students will look at the role of the major political parties, namely the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats and minority parties, such us the Green Party, DUP and the SNP. Moreover, the students will study the multi-party system and its development. In addition, there will be a thorough examination of Parliament, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and the legislative process. Also, the students will look at the interaction between Parliament and the executive and the role of the backbencher MP and peer in the House of Lords. The students will explore various important debates, such as the future of the House of Lords and Parliamentary Privilege.
Students will complete two source based questions, one on electoral systems and one on voter behaviour and the media in UK politics. This will be a 1 hour and 30 minute exam.
The British legislature made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The primary chamber of the UK legislature, directly elected by voters.
The second chamber of the UK legislature, not directly elected by voters.
MPs and Lords who are not members of the governing party or parties.
MPs or Lords who do not hold any government office.
It combines a left-wing commitment to social justice with a right-wing emphasis on the value of free markets.
According to one-nation principles the Conservative Party should protect and advance the interests of the whole nation. It is more inclusive than traditional conservatism.
Right wing political beliefs derive from liberal and conservative ideology. These include a liberal focus on limiting excessive government and keeping taxation low. They also include conservative values such as law and order and strong defence.
It emphasises the importance of creating a fair and equal society through positive state intervention. This includes higher taxes on the wealthier and extensive welfare provision.
It is associated with left-wing principles that aim to create a more equal society through redistribution of income and wealth, nationalisation and an extended public sector.
Students will be able to discuss the different electoral systems in the UK and develop analytical skills
Through group and individual work, students will be able to debate the best systems depending on the circumstances helping them develop evaluative skills
In term 6, the students continue with their study of political ideologies with conservativism and anarchism. Within conservativism, the students study: the history of conservatism in Britain; the core beliefs, ideas, principles and nature of conservativism; the differing views and tensions, within conservatism, in Britain and as an ideology. They study the ideas of Thomas Hobbes, Edmund Burke, Michael Oakeshott, Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick. Moreover, within anarchism, the students explore: a brief history of anarchism; the core beliefs and principles of anarchism and the different types of anarchism. The students also look at five key thinkers of anarchism and their ideas: Max Stirner, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, Emma Goldman, Mikhail Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin.
There will be one source-based essay question and one essay question. This will be in the form of a 1 hour and 30 minute exam.
Those in higher positions of society who are best positioned to make decisions on society's behalf. Their legitimacy comes naturally from within the hierarchy, and those below them in the hierarchy are obliged to obey.
The idea that knowledge and evidence come from real experience and not abstract theories.
The duty of the society's elite, the wealthy and privileged, to look after those less fortunate.
Belief in ideas that favour drastic political, economic and social change.
A society that exists as a loose collection of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals.
When individuals care for others and act in their interests.
The organisation of peasants into large production units, where individuals produce goods collectively, share their rewards equally and private property does not exist.
It means that communities should cooperate with each other in terms of trade on mutually beneficial terms.
A revolutionary version of trade unionism that proposes a stateless society, where workers are grouped into syndicates based on their occupation and they cooperate freely with each other for mutual benefit.
A system of government where the people make important decisions on behalf of their communities.
By examining the benefits of a democratically elected parliament for individual rights
Students will work undertake a trip to the houses of parliament to access the impact of such an institution in everyday life
The students begin their study of political ideologies. In term 5, they explore liberalism and socialism. Within liberalism, the students will learn about: the history of classical liberalism and how it is interpreted today; modern liberalism and how it contrasts with classical liberalism; the core beliefs, ideas and and principles of liberalism; the different view and tensions within liberalism. The students will study the ideas of John Locke, John Stuart Mill, Mary Wollstonecraft, Betty Friedan and John Rawls. Within socialism, the students will learn about: revolutionary socialism and its beginnings; evolutionary socialism; core ideas and principles of socialism and the differing views and tensions within socialism today. They will study the ideas of Karl Marx, Rosa Luxemburg, Beatrice Webb, Anthony Crosland, Anthony Giddens,
Students complete an essay question on socialism.
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on liberty, consent of the governed and equality before the law.
The belief that individual freedom is associated with a rational sense of self-reliance and self-interest.
Branch of liberalism that advocates free market, civil liberties under the rule of law with an emphasis on limited government, economic freedom, political freedom, and cultural liberalism.
The idea that the state is justified in the interfering with individual freedom when it is to prevents some citizens doing harm to other.
A state that does not necessarily provide for people directly but creates the conditions where people can help themselves. Education provision for all is a key example.
An economic system that is based on private property, free enterprise and competition between individuals and companies. It is organised by the market.
Hymans regarding each other as siblings rather than opponents.
Socialism that is achieved gradually within the parliamentary structure and not radically, via a revolution.
A society that is communally organised and supported by an economy which is built on common ownership.
A revolutionary set of ideas that explains how capitalism can be overturned and replaced by communism.
Students will be able to discuss the relationship between the government, parliament and other institutions to allow them to analyse and evaluate decisions
Through group work and independent study, students will be able to debate the relationship between different departments and reach their own conclusions regarding how accountable they are
The students will examine various electoral systems used for general elections, local elections, elections for devolved assemblies and parliaments and for mayoral elections. Students will compare the merits and demerits of FPTP with STV, AV and AMS electoral systems. There will also be an in-depth look at the role of referendums in UK politics. Moreover, the students will gain knowledge and understanding of the structure, role, and powers of the Executive, the concept of individual and collective ministerial responsibility and the role of the PM and cabinet. Students will study the influence of two prime ministers, Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May and their influence on both their inner cabinet and wider government.
Students will answer two essay questions on ideologies from a choice of three. This will be a 1 hour and 10 minute examination.
The collective group of Prime Minister, Cabinet and junior ministers, sometimes known as the 'government'.
The Prime Minister and senior ministers, most of whom lead a particular government department.
An MP or member of the House of Lords appointed to a position in the government, usually exercising specific responsibilities in a department.
A part of the executive, usually with specific responsibility over an area such as education, health or defence.
Powers given to the executive by Parliament to make changes to the law within certain specific rules.
A plurality electoral system used for UK general elections.
A party that has only a minority but usually the plurality of seats in Parliament and has formed a government.
A constituency that is highly likely to be won by a specific party at general elections.
A constituency in which the electoral outcome is not easily predictable.
An electoral system which uses two votes, one for a local representative and one for a regional representatives.
Students will be able to develop analytical and evaluative skills through the discussion of conservatism, socialism and liberalism
Through group work students will have the opportunity to challenge the different factions of each ideology reaching conclusions about their own beliefs
In this term students will study the voting behaviour of citizens and how this is impacted by social factors such as region, ethnicity, age, education, partisan and class dealignment. Moreover, they will look at the role of leadership, campaigns, governing competence, manifestos and instrumental voting. They will also assess the influence of the media and they will delve into three case studies of three general elections. Furthermore, the students will study the Supreme Court, how it operates, its key principles and its place in the judicial system. Students will look at how the various institutions in the UK interact with one another. There is an emphasis on the judiciary and how the 2005 Constitutional Reform Act separated the executive and judiciary in the UK. Students will examine how the judiciary interacts with the executive and with Parliament and how Parliament interacts with the executive. There will be an in-depth look at the role of the EU and the impact of membership.
There will be one source-based question on UK government, one essay based question on UK Politics.
The highest court in the UK political system.
The power of the judiciary to review, and sometimes reverse, actions by other branches of government that breach the law or that are incompatible with the Human Rights Act.
Literally 'beyond the powers'. An action that is taken without legal authority when it requires it.
The principle that judges should not be influenced by other branches of government, particularly the executive.
The principle that judges should not be influenced by their personal political opinions and should remain outside of party politics.
It is a publication issued by each political party before every general election. It sets out the policies the party will introduce, if it forms a government.
It refers to the way voters have abandoned traditional party loyalties and vote based on other factors such as governing competence and economic self-interest.
It refers to the way voters are less likely to vote according to their membership of a particular social class.
The extent to which the government is regarded as having been capable and competent.
The disengagement of the electorate, which is evident with low turnout in general elections.
Individuals will be able to develop their understanding on the powers of the prime minister and its limitations reaching conclusions regarding how well accountability is established
Through group discussion individuals will be able to discuss decisions made by the prime minister both in the past and present and how their powers allowed them to make such decisions
St Andrew the Apostle Greek Orthodox School - an inclusive Christian secondary school in North London with high academic standards.
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