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Northern IrelandPolitics

Unit 1: Democracy in Action

9 dot points across 9 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do elections work, and how do first-past-the-post and the single transferable vote differ?

Elections and electoral systems: how first-past-the-post and the single transferable vote work, where each is used in the UK and Northern Ireland, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to elections and electoral systems. Covers how first-past-the-post (FPTP) and the single transferable vote (STV) work, where each is used in the UK and Northern Ireland, proportional representation, and a balanced account of the advantages and disadvantages of each system.
14 min answer →

What are political parties for, and how do party systems differ in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK?

Political parties: their role and functions in a democracy, the difference between the Northern Ireland and wider UK party systems, manifestos, and how parties form or share government.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to political parties. Covers the role and functions of parties in a democracy, manifestos, the difference between the multi-party power-sharing system in Northern Ireland and the larger parties at Westminster, and how parties form or share government, presented neutrally and even-handedly.
13 min answer →

How can citizens take part in a democracy, and what do pressure groups do?

Taking action in a democracy: the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, the ways people can participate including voting, petitioning, demonstrating and joining a party or pressure group, and the types and methods of pressure groups.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to taking action in a democracy. Covers the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, the ways people can participate including voting, petitioning, demonstrating and joining a party or pressure group, and the types and methods of pressure groups, with a balanced view of their influence.
14 min answer →

What did the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement set up, and how does it frame government in Northern Ireland?

The Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement and the framework of devolution: the principle of consent, the three strands, and the key provisions on power-sharing, decommissioning, prisoner releases and policing reform.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement and the framework of devolution. Covers the principle of consent, the three strands, the key provisions of power-sharing and consociationalism, decommissioning, the early release of prisoners and reform of policing, and how the Agreement underpins the Assembly and Executive.
14 min answer →

How is the Northern Ireland Assembly elected, and what does it do?

The Northern Ireland Assembly: how MLAs are elected by single transferable vote across eighteen constituencies, and the Assembly's role in making laws, scrutinising the Executive and representing the public.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Covers how the ninety MLAs are elected by single transferable vote across eighteen constituencies, the Assembly's three jobs of legislating, scrutinising the Executive and representing constituents, designation, and cross-community voting.
14 min answer →

How is the Northern Ireland Executive formed, and why is it a power-sharing government?

The Northern Ireland Executive: how ministers are appointed by the d'Hondt method, the joint roles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and power-sharing and consociationalism as the basis of devolved government.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the Northern Ireland Executive. Covers the d'Hondt method of appointing ministers, the joint and equal roles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, power-sharing and consociationalism, departments and cross-community working, and why the Executive can be unstable.
14 min answer →

How is the UK government formed, and what are the roles of the Prime Minister and Cabinet?

The Prime Minister and Cabinet: how the UK government is formed, the powers and role of the Prime Minister, the role of the Cabinet, and collective Cabinet responsibility.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Covers how the UK government is formed after an election, the powers and role of the Prime Minister, the role of the Cabinet and ministers, collective Cabinet responsibility, and how government is accountable to Parliament.
13 min answer →

What part does the media play in a democracy?

The role of the media in a democracy: informing citizens, scrutinising those in power and shaping opinion, the impact of social media, and concerns about bias, balance and regulation.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the role of the media in a democracy. Covers informing citizens, scrutinising those in power, shaping public opinion, the rise of social media, and concerns about bias, balance, misinformation and regulation, presented in a balanced way.
13 min answer →

How is the UK Parliament structured, and what does it do?

The UK Parliament at Westminster: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch, and Parliament's roles in making law, scrutinising government and representing the public, including Northern Ireland's place at Westminster.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to the UK Parliament. Covers the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the role of the monarch, the functions of making law, scrutinising government and representation, parliamentary sovereignty, how a bill becomes law, and how Northern Ireland is represented at Westminster.
14 min answer →