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.
An overview of the AQA A-Level Politics USA module, 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.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this module is asking
The USA section of AQA A-Level Politics asks you to understand the government and politics of the United States and to compare them with the UK. It covers the constitution and federalism, Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, and the three comparative theories. It rewards precise knowledge of US institutions and skilful comparison with the UK.
The six topics
Each topic carries a recurring 25-mark essay debate: whether the Constitution still works well, how powerful Congress is, whether the presidency is imperial, whether the Court protects rights effectively, and whether money corrupts US democracy. The comparative questions then test the same material against the UK. Preparing these debates with cases and a clear judgement is the most efficient route to the Paper 3 marks.
How the parts fit together
The codified constitution is the foundation: it creates the separation of powers, checks and balances and federalism that shape Congress, the presidency and the Court, and it deliberately fragments and disperses power. Elections, parties and interest groups then fill these institutions with people and pressure, while money and polarisation shape how they operate. The recurring theme is the dispersal and limitation of power and the resulting tension between effective government and the checks designed to prevent tyranny (the gridlock that can follow). Throughout, you compare with the UK, which is why the comparative theories topic runs across the whole module: every US institution can be set against its UK counterpart and explained using rational, cultural or structural theory.
How to study the USA module
Learn US institutions precisely, build a bank of landmark cases (Marbury v Madison, Brown v Board, Citizens United, Dobbs) and recent examples, and practise applying the three comparative theories to each pairing (constitutions, legislatures, executives, judiciaries, democracies). For the 25-mark USA essays, rehearse a thesis, balanced and weighed arguments and a sustained judgement; for the comparative questions, apply one theory consistently to explain a difference rather than listing contrasts.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 202012 marksExamine the ways in which the US system of government disperses power. (Paper 3, Section C-style, USA essay rescoped to 12.)Show worked answer →
A focused essay with developed analysis and some evaluation.
Develop three dispersals. One: the separation of powers and checks and balances between Congress, the president and the Court. Two: federalism dividing power between the national government and the states (Tenth Amendment). Three: bicameralism and the supermajority hurdles (the filibuster, the amendment process) that fragment power further.
Evaluate by noting that dispersal can produce gridlock and that presidential power has grown despite these checks.
Markers reward accurate constitutional detail, analysis of how each device disperses power, and a judgement.
AQA 202120 marksEvaluate the view that the US Constitution still works well today. (Adapted from Paper 3, Section C essay; 25-mark essay rescoped to 20.)Show worked answer →
A balanced essay with a sustained judgement and developed arguments on both sides.
For working well: it has endured since 1787, protects rights and limits government, and its flexibility through interpretation lets it adapt.
Against: it produces gridlock, the amendment process is near-impossible, the Electoral College can defy the popular vote, and polarisation strains the checks and balances.
Markers reward accurate detail, weighing of strengths against weaknesses, and a justified conclusion. AO3 (evaluation) carries the most weight.
Related dot points
- 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.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Politics on the nature and principles of the US Constitution, the separation of powers and checks and balances, the amendment process, the development of federalism, and the debate over its strengths and weaknesses.
- 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.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Politics on 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.
- 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.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Politics on the formal and informal powers of the US president, the relationship with Congress, the cabinet and executive office, the limits on presidential power, and the factors affecting how powerful a president is.
- 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.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Politics on the role and powers of the US 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.
- 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.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Politics on the comparative approaches of rational, cultural and structural theories, and how they explain the similarities and differences between the government and politics of the UK and the USA.
Sources & how we know this
- AQA A-level Politics (7152) specification — AQA (2017)