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ScotlandPolitics

Political Systems

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How is the European Union governed, and how democratic are its institutions?

The European Union political system: the main institutions (Commission, Council, European Council, Parliament and Court of Justice), how EU law is made, the elected European Parliament, and the debate over the democratic deficit.
An SQA Higher Politics answer on the European Union political system, covering the Commission, the Council and European Council, the elected European Parliament and the Court of Justice, how EU law is made, and the debate over the EU's democratic deficit.
12 min answer →

How is China governed as a one-party state, and how does it differ from a liberal democracy?

The political system of the People's Republic of China: the dominance of the Communist Party, the parallel party and state structures, the executive and the National People's Congress, the absence of competitive elections, and how it differs from a liberal democracy.
An SQA Higher Politics answer on the political system of the People's Republic of China, covering the dominance of the Communist Party, the parallel party and state institutions, the executive and the National People's Congress, the lack of competitive elections, and the contrast with liberal democracy.
12 min answer →

How is Scotland governed under devolution, and how effectively does the Scottish Parliament hold the government to account?

The Scottish political system: devolution and the division of reserved and devolved powers, the Scottish Government and First Minister, the Scottish Parliament, the Additional Member System, and how Holyrood scrutinises the government.
An SQA Higher Politics answer on the Scottish political system, covering devolution and reserved versus devolved powers, the Scottish Government and First Minister, the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, the Additional Member System, and how committees scrutinise the government.
12 min answer →

How is the UK governed, and how effectively does Parliament hold the executive to account?

The UK political system: the uncodified constitution and parliamentary sovereignty, the executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet), the legislature (Commons and Lords), the FPTP electoral system, and how Parliament scrutinises the government.
An SQA Higher Politics answer on the UK political system, covering the uncodified constitution and parliamentary sovereignty, the executive of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Commons and Lords, the First Past the Post electoral system, and how Parliament holds the government to account.
12 min answer →

How is the USA governed, and how do checks and balances limit the President?

The US political system: the codified constitution, separation of powers and federalism, the executive (President), the legislature (Congress), the Supreme Court, and the system of checks and balances.
An SQA Higher Politics answer on the US political system, covering the codified constitution, the separation of powers and federalism, the President, Congress, the Supreme Court, and how checks and balances limit the executive.
12 min answer →