SQA Higher Politics Political Systems: a complete overview of the UK, Scotland, USA, EU and China

What this section actually demands

Political Systems tests your knowledge of how real countries and bodies are governed. For each system you study, the examiners want accurate detail on the constitutional framework, the executive and legislative branches, the electoral system where relevant, and how power is held to account, plus the ability to evaluate how effective or democratic the system is.

This guide walks through all five systems, then sets out how the section is examined. Candidates study two systems in depth, but understanding the contrasts between them sharpens every answer. Each system has a matching dot-point page with worked questions; this overview ties them together.

The UK political system

The UK has an uncodified constitution and parliamentary sovereignty. The executive is the Prime Minister and Cabinet, drawn from Parliament; the legislature is the dominant elected House of Commons and the revising House of Lords; MPs are elected by First Past the Post. Parliament scrutinises through PMQs, select committees and the Opposition, but a large government majority can weaken this.

The Scottish political system

Scotland is governed under devolution (Scotland Act 1998), splitting reserved powers (kept at Westminster) from devolved powers (health, education, justice). The Scottish Government and First Minister run devolved areas; the 129-MSP unicameral Parliament is elected by the Additional Member System. Committees and minority government make Holyrood's scrutiny potentially strong.

The US political system

The USA has a codified constitution with a strict separation of powers and federalism. The President is separately elected; Congress (House and Senate) makes laws and controls the budget; the Supreme Court can rule actions unconstitutional. Checks and balances limit the President, strongest under divided government.

The European Union political system

The EU shares power between the appointed Commission (which proposes laws), the Council of national ministers, the European Council of national leaders, the elected European Parliament, and the Court of Justice. The democratic deficit debate weighs the unelected Commission against the elected Parliament and the accountability of member states.

The political system of China

China is a one-party state dominated by the Communist Party, with parallel party and state structures. The General Secretary (also President) holds real power; the National People's Congress approves rather than checks Party decisions. There are no competitive elections, no independent courts and no free press, contrasting sharply with a liberal democracy.

How this section is examined

A typical SQA profile for Political Systems:

• Describe questions. Setting out an institution accurately, such as the powers of the President or the structure of Holyrood.
• Explain questions. Showing why something is the case, such as why devolution differs from federalism.
• Analyse questions. Developing the reasoning behind an institution's role, such as the powers of the Prime Minister or the Commission.
• Evaluate questions. Weighing the effectiveness or democratic quality of a system, such as the checks on the US President or the EU democratic deficit.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall and explanation questions covering the section. Attempt them, then check against the solutions.

1. What is the difference between a codified and an uncodified constitution? (2 marks)
2. Name two reserved and two devolved powers in Scotland. (4 marks)
3. State two checks Congress has on the US President. (2 marks)
4. Why is the EU said to have a democratic deficit? (3 marks)
5. Name two features of China's one-party system. (2 marks)