Edexcel A-Level Politics Component 2: UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas overview

Edexcel A-Level Politics Component 2 is UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas (9PL0/02), a 2-hour paper worth 84 marks. It has two sections: Section A on UK government (the constitution, parliament, the executive and the branches) and Section B on one non-core idea, which this site teaches as feminism. This overview ties the areas together. Each has a matching dot-point page.

How Component 2 works

Component 2 is 33 1/3 per cent of the A-level. Section A (UK Government) contains one 30-mark source question (you must use the extract) from a choice of two, and one 30-mark essay from a choice of two. Section B (Non-core Political Ideas) contains one 24-mark essay from a choice of two on the chosen idea. All questions assess AO1, AO2 and AO3.

Section A: UK Government

The four areas build a picture of where, how and by whom UK political decisions are made.

• The constitution. Its uncodified, unentrenched and unitary nature, the twin pillars of parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law, the five sources, devolution, and constitutional reform since 1997.
• Parliament. The structure and functions of the Commons and Lords, their comparative powers, the legislative process, and how select committees, backbenchers, the opposition and question time scrutinise the executive.
• The prime minister and executive. The structure, roles and powers of the executive, individual and collective ministerial responsibility, and the balance of power between the PM and Cabinet, illustrated by one pre-1997 and one post-1997 PM.
• Relationships between the branches. The Supreme Court and judicial review, the executive to parliament balance, the impact of the EU and Brexit, and the location of sovereignty.

Section B: Feminism

The non-core idea requires the core principles, the types and the required thinkers.

• Core ideas. The sex to gender distinction, patriarchy, the personal is political, equality and difference feminism, and intersectionality.
• Types. Liberal, socialist, radical and post-modern feminism, distinguished by the source of oppression and the method of liberation.
• Thinkers. Gilman, de Beauvoir, Millett, Rowbotham and hooks.

How Component 2 is examined

• The source question (Section A, AO1 to AO3). Compare the views in the extract, examine the view and its alternative with your own knowledge, and reach a balanced conclusion.
• The 30-mark essay (Section A, AO1 to AO3). A balanced, two-sided argument on a UK government debate with a justified judgement.
• The 24-mark ideas essay (Section B, AO1 to AO3). A balanced essay on feminism that must apply the required thinkers to show the tensions between the strands.