← Citizenship Studies syllabus

EnglandCitizenship Studies

Democracy and government

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How can citizens take part in and influence democracy in the UK?

The ways citizens can participate in democracy beyond voting, including standing for office, joining parties and pressure groups, petitions, campaigning, lobbying and the role of trade unions, and the factors that affect how much people participate.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on how citizens take part in and influence democracy: voting, standing for office, joining parties, pressure groups and trade unions, petitions, campaigning and lobbying, and the factors that affect participation.
12 min answer →

How is power shared between national, devolved and local government?

The meaning of devolution, the powers of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly, the role of local government and councils, the services councils provide, and the difference between reserved and devolved powers.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on devolution and local government: what devolution means, the powers of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and Northern Ireland Assembly, the role and services of local councils, and the difference between reserved and devolved powers.
12 min answer →

How are elections run and how do voting systems work in the UK?

Who can vote and how elections work, the first-past-the-post system used for general elections and its advantages and disadvantages, other voting systems used in the UK, the role of political parties, and the importance of voting and turnout.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on elections and voting systems: who can vote, how general elections work, first-past-the-post and its advantages and disadvantages, other voting systems used in the UK, the role of political parties, and the importance of voter turnout.
13 min answer →

How do Parliament and government work in the UK?

The structure of Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords), the difference between Parliament and government, the roles of MPs, peers and the Prime Minister, how laws are made, and how Parliament holds the government to account.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on Parliament and government: the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the difference between Parliament and government, the roles of MPs, peers and the Prime Minister, how laws are made, and how Parliament scrutinises the government.
12 min answer →

How does the government raise and spend money?

How the government raises money through taxation, the main types of tax, how the Budget and public spending work, where public money is spent, and the debates over how much should be taxed and spent.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on taxation and public spending: how the government raises money through tax, the main types of tax, how the Budget and public spending work, where public money goes, and the debates over the level of tax and spending.
12 min answer →

What is the British constitution and how does it work?

The meaning of a constitution, why the UK constitution is described as uncodified, its main sources, the difference between democracy and other systems, and the principles of parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on the British constitution: what a constitution is, why the UK's is uncodified, its main sources, the difference between democracy and other systems, and the principles of parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers.
12 min answer →

What is the role of the monarchy and the executive in the UK?

The role of the monarch as head of state in a constitutional monarchy, the role of the executive (the Prime Minister, Cabinet and the civil service) as head of government, the difference between head of state and head of government, and how executive power is limited.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on the monarchy and the executive: the monarch as head of state in a constitutional monarchy, the Prime Minister, Cabinet and civil service as the executive, the difference between head of state and head of government, and the limits on executive power.
11 min answer →