How does politics work beyond the UK and how is the UK connected to it?
How the UK is connected to politics beyond its borders, the role of international and intergovernmental organisations, how decisions made elsewhere affect UK citizens, the UK's departure from the European Union, and how citizens can engage with global political issues.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on politics beyond the UK: how the UK connects to international politics, the role of intergovernmental organisations, how decisions made elsewhere affect UK citizens, the UK's departure from the EU, and how citizens engage with global issues.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain how the UK is connected to politics beyond its borders, the role of international and intergovernmental organisations, how decisions made elsewhere affect UK citizens, the UK's departure from the European Union, and how citizens can engage with global issues. This Section 2 topic bridges into Section 3 (the UK and the wider world) and is examined through knowledge questions on international links and through "Explain" questions on why the UK works with other countries.
How the UK is connected beyond its borders
The key idea is that many problems cannot be solved by one country alone, so the UK cooperates with others. This links forward to international organisations and global issues in Section 3.
How decisions beyond the UK affect citizens
OCR rewards giving real, concrete effects rather than vague statements. Connecting a global decision to an everyday effect (such as prices in the shops) shows strong understanding.
The UK and the European Union
Citizens can engage with global issues by supporting international charities (such as those working on poverty or disasters), joining campaigns, signing petitions, raising awareness, and making informed choices as consumers (for example fair-trade goods). This links directly to participation and to Citizenship Action in Section 4.
Try this
Q1. In what year did the UK leave the European Union? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. 2020 (following the 2016 referendum).
Q2. Explain one way a decision made beyond the UK can affect UK citizens. [Short explanation]
- Cue. A trade agreement with another country can change the price, choice and availability of goods in UK shops and affect jobs in industries that trade abroad.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J270 20202 marksIdentify two ways that decisions made beyond the UK can affect UK citizens.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (2 marks, 1 mark each). Reward two correct, distinct ways.
Acceptable answers: trade agreements affecting the price and availability of goods; international action on climate change affecting UK policy; conflicts or events abroad affecting prices (such as energy or fuel) or refugees; international rules and treaties the UK has signed; and global health issues such as a pandemic.
Top marks. Two distinct ways, each a genuine effect on UK citizens. Avoid two versions of the same idea.
OCR J270 20228 marksExplain why the UK works with other countries through international organisations.Show worked answer →
An extended "Explain" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Reward developed reasons, each explained with an example.
Reason one (shared problems). Many problems cross borders, such as climate change, terrorism and pandemics, and cannot be solved by one country alone, so the UK works with others through bodies such as the United Nations.
Reason two (peace and security). Working together through alliances such as NATO and the UN helps keep the peace, deter aggression and resolve conflicts, protecting UK citizens.
Reason three (trade and influence). Cooperation supports trade agreements that affect prices and jobs, and gives the UK a voice in decisions that affect it, increasing its influence in the world.
Top band. Three developed reasons (shared problems, security, trade and influence), with examples and a judgement on the most important.
Related dot points
- The role of the main international organisations the UK belongs to, including the United Nations, NATO, the Commonwealth and the World Trade Organization, what each does, and how membership benefits and constrains the UK.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on the international organisations the UK belongs to: the United Nations, NATO, the Commonwealth and the World Trade Organization, what each does, and how membership benefits and constrains the UK.
- The UK's relations with the wider world through trade, foreign aid and international development, its role and influence in global affairs, the responsibilities that come with being a wealthy country, and the debates over how the UK should act in the world.
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- The role of the media and a free press in a democracy, how the media holds power to account and informs citizens, the regulation of the media, bias, misinformation and fake news, and the impact of social media on democracy.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on the media and a free press: their role in a democracy, how they hold power to account and inform citizens, media regulation, bias and fake news, and the impact of social media.
Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Citizenship Studies J270 specification — OCR (2016)
- The UK and the EU: the Trade and Cooperation Agreement — UK Government (GOV.UK) (2021)