England · AQASyllabus
Politics syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the England Politicssyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
3.1 Political ideas
Module overview →- What are the core ideas of conservatism and how do its strands differ?The core ideas and principles of conservatism, the differences between traditional, one-nation and New Right conservatism, and the views of the key thinkers Hobbes, Burke, Oakeshott, Rand and Nozick.12 min answer →
- What are the core ideas of liberalism and how do its strands differ?The core ideas and principles of liberalism, the differences between classical and modern liberalism, and the views of the key thinkers Locke, Wollstonecraft, Mill, Rawls and Friedan.12 min answer →
- What are the core ideas of nationalism and how do its strands differ?The core ideas and principles of nationalism, the differences between liberal, conservative, expansionist and post-colonial nationalism, and the views of the key thinkers Rousseau, Herder, Mazzini, Maurras and Garvey.12 min answer →
- What are the core political ideologies and how do they differ over human nature, the state, society and the economy?An overview of the core political ideas covering liberalism, conservatism, socialism and nationalism, their core principles, internal strands, and the key thinkers required by AQA.11 min answer →
- What are the core ideas of socialism and how do its strands differ?The core ideas and principles of socialism, the differences between revolutionary socialism, social democracy and the Third Way, and the views of the key thinkers Marx and Engels, Luxemburg, Webb, Crosland and Giddens.12 min answer →
3.1 Government and politics of the UK
Module overview →- How has devolution changed the way the UK is governed?The development of devolution in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, the powers of the devolved bodies, the impact of devolution on the UK constitution, and the debates over further devolution and the future of the Union.9 min answer →
- How is Parliament structured and how effectively does it perform its functions?The structure and role of the House of Commons and House of Lords, the comparative powers of the two chambers, the legislative process, and how effectively Parliament represents, legislates and scrutinises the executive.10 min answer →
- What are the relationships and balance of power between the branches of government?The relationships between the legislature, executive and judiciary, the role and powers of the Supreme Court, the doctrines of judicial review and parliamentary sovereignty, and the influence of the European Union on UK government.10 min answer →
- What is the nature of the UK constitution and how has it developed?The nature and sources of the UK constitution, the way it has developed over time, the changes since 1997, and the debates about further reform such as a codified constitution and the protection of rights.10 min answer →
- What are the powers of the Prime Minister and executive and what limits them?The structure, role and powers of the executive, the concept of ministerial responsibility, the powers of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the factors governing the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.10 min answer →
- How is the UK governed and how do its institutions relate to one another?An overview of UK government covering the constitution, Parliament, the prime minister and executive, the relationships between the branches, and devolution, and how these institutions fit together.8 min answer →
3.1 Government and politics of the UK
Module overview →- What are the features of democracy and how can participation be improved?The features of direct and representative democracy, the strengths and weaknesses of UK democracy, the participation crisis, the franchise, and the case for and against reforms such as compulsory voting and votes at 16.10 min answer →
- How do different electoral systems work and what are their effects?The features and effects of first-past-the-post and the other electoral systems used in the UK, the debate over electoral reform, the use of referendums, and the impact of different systems on parties and government.10 min answer →
- What are the functions of political parties and how has the UK party system changed?The functions and features of political parties, party funding, the ideas and policies of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, the role of minor parties, and the development of the UK party system.10 min answer →
- How do pressure groups operate and how much influence do they have?The functions, types and methods of pressure groups, the factors affecting their success, the role of other collective organisations and think tanks, and the debate over their impact on democracy.9 min answer →
- How do citizens participate in UK politics and how is power contested?An overview of UK politics covering democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media, and pressure groups, and how they shape political power.8 min answer →
- What factors explain how people vote and how influential is the media?The factors that explain voting behaviour including class, age, ethnicity, region and rational choice, the use of case-study elections, and the influence of the media and opinion polls on elections.10 min answer →
3.2 Government and politics of the USA
Module overview →- How can we compare the politics of the UK and the USA?The comparative approaches of rational, cultural and structural theories, and how they explain the similarities and differences between the constitutions, legislatures, executives, judiciaries and democracies of the UK and the USA.9 min answer →
- What are the nature and principles of the US Constitution and how does federalism work?The nature and principles of the US Constitution, the separation of powers and checks and balances, the amendment process, the nature and development of federalism, and the debates over the constitution today.10 min answer →
- How is Congress structured and how effectively does it carry out its functions?The structure, powers and functions of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the legislative process, the role of committees, and how effectively Congress represents, legislates and oversees the executive.10 min answer →
- How do elections, parties and pressure groups shape US democracy and participation?The electoral process and the presidential election, the role and ideas of the Democratic and Republican parties, the influence of interest groups, the use of money and the impact of these on democracy and participation.10 min answer →
- What are the powers of the US president and what determines presidential power?The formal and informal powers of the president, the relationship with Congress, the role of the cabinet and the executive office, the limits on presidential power, and the factors affecting how powerful a president is.10 min answer →
- How powerful is the US Supreme Court and how well are civil rights protected?The role and powers of the Supreme Court, the nomination and confirmation process, judicial review, judicial activism and restraint, the political significance of the Court, and the protection of civil rights and liberties.10 min answer →
- How is the USA governed and how does it compare with the UK?An overview of US government and politics covering the constitution and federalism, Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, and the comparative theories used to compare the UK and USA.8 min answer →