Edexcel A-Level Politics Component 3: Comparative Politics (USA) overview

Edexcel A-Level Politics Component 3 is Comparative Politics (9PL0/3A for the USA), a 2-hour paper worth 84 marks. It studies the government and politics of the USA and compares it with the UK using three theoretical approaches. This overview ties the areas together. Each has a matching dot-point page.

How Component 3 works

Component 3 is 33 1/3 per cent of the A-level and has three sections. Section A is one 12-mark question from a choice of two on US politics (AO1 and AO2). Section B is one compulsory 12-mark question on comparative theories (AO1 and AO2). Section C is two 30-mark synoptic essays from a choice of three that compare the UK and USA (AO1, AO2 and AO3). The 12-mark questions need knowledge and analysis but no judgement; the 30-mark essays need a balanced, comparative argument with a conclusion.

The USA option

The six areas cover US government and the comparison with the UK.

• The US Constitution and federalism. The codified, entrenched document, the separation of powers, checks and balances, limited government, the amendment process and the federalism debate.
• US Congress. The bicameral structure, the powers and functions of representation, legislation and oversight, incumbency, and partisanship and gridlock.
• The US presidency. Formal and informal powers, EXOP, the relationships with Congress and the Court, the limits on the president, and the imperial-presidency debate (presidents since 1992).
• The US Supreme Court and civil rights. Judicial review, the appointment process and ideological balance, judicial activism and restraint, and race and rights.
• US democracy and participation. Presidential elections and the electoral college, campaign finance, the parties and their coalitions, and interest groups, PACs and Super PACs.
• Comparative theories. The rational, cultural and structural approaches and their application to UK to USA comparison.

The comparative approaches

The three approaches are the backbone of the comparison:

• Rational. Focuses on individuals acting rationally to maximise their benefit.
• Cultural. Focuses on the shared ideas, beliefs and values of groups.
• Structural. Focuses on institutions and formal processes, the approach that best explains most UK to USA differences (the separation versus fusion of powers, codified versus uncodified constitutions).

How Component 3 is examined

• Section A (12 marks, AO1 and AO2). Examine an aspect of US politics with developed analysis and no judgement.
• Section B (12 marks, AO1 and AO2, compulsory). Apply a comparative approach to a UK to USA comparison.
• Section C (30 marks, AO1 to AO3). A synoptic comparative essay with direct comparison, a comparative approach and a justified judgement.