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Government and Politics of the USA (A2 Unit 4)

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

How is Congress structured, what powers does it hold, and how effective is it?

Congress: the structure and powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the legislative process, the committee system, and how effectively Congress legislates and checks the President.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of Congress: the composition and powers of the House and Senate, the legislative process and the role of committees, the checks Congress holds over the President, and debates about gridlock and the effectiveness of Congress.
13 min answer →

How does the US Constitution distribute and limit power, and how has federalism changed?

The US Constitution and federalism: the principles of the Constitution, the separation of powers and checks and balances, the amendment process, and the development of federalism.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of the US Constitution and federalism: codification and entrenchment, the separation of powers and checks and balances, the amendment process, the Bill of Rights, and how federalism has developed from dual to cooperative and modern federalism.
13 min answer →

What powers does the President hold, and what determines how powerful a president is?

The presidency: the formal and informal powers of the President, the cabinet and EXOP, the limits on presidential power, and debates about the strength of the office.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of the US presidency: the formal constitutional powers, informal powers such as persuasion and executive orders, the cabinet and the Executive Office of the President, the checks and limits on the office, and debates about presidential power.
13 min answer →

How powerful is the US Supreme Court, and how has it shaped civil rights?

The Supreme Court and civil rights: the role and power of the Court, judicial review, the appointment process, judicial activism and restraint, and the Court's impact on civil rights.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of the US Supreme Court: its role and the power of judicial review, the appointment and confirmation process, the debate between judicial activism and restraint, the Court's protection of rights through the Constitution, and its impact on civil rights.
13 min answer →

How do US elections work, and what roles do parties and pressure groups play?

US elections, parties and pressure groups: the presidential election process, the two-party system, the ideas of the Democrats and Republicans, and the role and influence of pressure groups.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of US elections, parties and pressure groups: the presidential election process from primaries to the Electoral College, the two-party system and the ideas of the Democrats and Republicans, the role of money and campaigns, and the influence of pressure groups.
13 min answer →