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The politics of the UK
This topic examines participation, elections, political parties, pressure groups and the European Union in UK politics. It covers the development of suffrage, democratic models, electoral systems, voting behaviour, referendums, party competition, party funding, media influence, pressure-group methods and political influence. Strong answers distinguish representative from direct democracy, explain how institutions and organisations affect participation and policy, and use relevant elections, campaigns, referendums or groups as evidence. Evaluation should consider representation, accountability, resources, participation, pluralism, national context and the extent to which political outcomes reflect public influence. Strong A-level responses should define the relevant political concepts, distinguish institutions and actors, use precise evidence and explain the consequences of the argument. Evaluation should test an alternative interpretation, consider the limits of the evidence and reach a judgement that answers the exact command word rather than repeating a general topic description.
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AqaA LevelPoliticsPaper 1 Government and politics of the UK
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Syllabus checklist
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Democracy and participation6 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for democracy and participation.
- Develop awareness of how suffrage has changed from the Great Reform Act 1832 to the present, including debates about gender, class, ethnicity and age.
- Develop awareness of the significance of the Chartists, Suffragists and Suffragettes and of suffrage as a human right.
- Analyse and evaluate the nature of democracy.
- Analyse and evaluate direct democracy and representative government.
- Analyse and evaluate patterns and different forms of political participation.
Elections and referendums8 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for elections and referendums.
- Analyse and evaluate the characteristics, performance, advantages and disadvantages of systems used in parliamentary elections and elections to one devolved body in the UK.
- Analyse and evaluate the 1997 general election, one election before 1997 and one election since 1997 in their wider political contexts.
- Analyse and evaluate patterns of voting behaviour and changes over time using relevant national data sources.
- Analyse and evaluate the influence of media, party policies, manifestos, campaigns and leadership on electoral outcomes.
- Analyse and evaluate the role of elections and their influence on policy and policy making.
- Analyse and evaluate the likely effects of electoral systems on the party system.
- Analyse and evaluate the nature and use of referendums in the UK and their impact.
Political parties8 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for political parties.
- Analyse and evaluate the origins, ideas and development of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties and how these have shaped current policies.
- Analyse and evaluate the structures and functions of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.
- Analyse and evaluate issues and debates around party funding.
- Analyse and evaluate political parties' relations with and influence of the media.
- Analyse and evaluate factors affecting electoral outcomes.
- Analyse and evaluate the policies of minor parties and their impact on political debates and the political agenda.
- Analyse and evaluate development towards a multi-party system in the UK and its impact on government and policy.
Pressure groups7 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for pressure groups.
- Analyse and evaluate pressure groups and democracy through pluralism.
- Analyse and evaluate the influence of think tanks, lobbyists, corporations and the media on government and Parliament.
- Analyse and evaluate pressure-group typologies through detailed study of one insider and one outsider group.
- Analyse and evaluate methods used by pressure groups.
- Analyse and evaluate factors affecting the political influence of different groups, including membership and resources.
- Analyse and evaluate pressure groups' links with political parties, government and the media.
The European Union3 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the European Union.
- Analyse and evaluate the aims of the European Union and the extent to which they have been achieved.
- Analyse and evaluate the impact of the European Union on UK politics and policy making.
Key terms
democracy, participation and representationDemocracy and participation focusDevelop awareness of how suffrage has changed from the Great Reform Act focusThe Chartists, Suffragists and Suffragettes and of suffrage as a human right focusThe nature of democracy focusDirect democracy and representative government focusPatterns and different forms of political participation focusElections and referendums focusParliament and legislative scrutinyThe characteristics, performance, advantages and disadvantages of systems used in parliamentary elections focusThe 1997 general election, one election before 1997 and one election since focusPatterns of voting behaviour and changes over time using relevant national data focus
Exam tips
- Democracy and participation Politics exam tip 1: Use a precise political example to support each developed point. Apply this to understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for democracy and participation..
- Democracy and participation Politics exam tip 1: Use a precise political example to support each developed point. Apply this to develop awareness of how suffrage has changed from the Great Reform Act 1832 to the present, including debates about gender, class, ethnicity and age..
Common mistakes
- Democracy and participation Politics mistake 1: Add a competing viewpoint, test it with political evidence, explain its limit and reach a substantiated judgement. Keep AO1, AO2 and AO3 distinct.
- Democracy and participation Politics mistake 1: Add a competing viewpoint, test it with political evidence, explain its limit and reach a substantiated judgement. Keep AO1, AO2 and AO3 distinct.
Practice preview
- Which comparison most effectively evaluates concepts terminology democracy participation — the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for democracy and participation? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from Democracy and participation.
- What is the strongest basis for judging concepts terminology democracy participation — the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for democracy and participation? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from Democracy and participation.
- Which interpretation should a candidate challenge when discussing concepts terminology democracy participation — the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for democracy and participation? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from Democracy and participation.
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