Topic study hub
Government and politics of the USA
This topic examines the constitutional framework and institutions of US government and politics. It covers the Constitution, federalism, civil liberties and rights, Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, elections, parties, pressure groups and civil rights. Students should distinguish federal from unitary government, separation of powers from parliamentary government, formal powers from informal influence, and judicial review from ordinary political accountability. Answers should use constitutional provisions, landmark rulings, electoral evidence, party coalitions and pressure-group activity to assess how effectively US institutions represent citizens, make policy and constrain one another. 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.
0
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
90 min
Study time
AqaA LevelPoliticsPaper 2 Government and politics of the USA and comparative politics
Choose a revision tool
Start revising Government and politics of the USA
Syllabus checklist
What you need to know
0 objective pages available
The constitutional framework of US government7 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the constitutional framework of US government.
- Analyse and evaluate the nature and significance of the US Constitution and its constitutional principles.
- Analyse and evaluate the framework of government laid down in the US Constitution.
- Analyse and evaluate the federal system of government and federal-state relations.
- Analyse and evaluate the constitutional amendment process.
- Analyse and evaluate debates concerning the importance of the US Constitution to contemporary US government.
- Analyse and evaluate protection of civil liberties and rights under the US Constitution, Bill of Rights and Supreme Court rulings.
The legislative branch of government Congress8 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for Congress.
- Analyse and evaluate the structure, role and powers of the US Congress.
- Analyse and evaluate the composition of Congress, terms of office and party allegiance.
- Analyse and evaluate the functions, powers and effectiveness of Congress in legislation, oversight and the power of the purse.
- Analyse and evaluate the party and committee systems and their significance within Congress.
- Analyse and evaluate the representative role of senators and representatives.
- Analyse and evaluate the relative strengths of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Analyse and evaluate Congress's relationship with the executive branch and Supreme Court.
The executive branch of government President7 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the presidency.
- Analyse and evaluate sources of presidential power using two relevant examples from different presidents.
- Analyse and evaluate the difference between formal and informal presidential powers.
- Analyse and evaluate constraints on presidential power, including formal checks and balances, congressional party support, the Supreme Court, media attitudes and public opinion.
- Analyse and evaluate relationships between the presidency, cabinet, Executive Office of the President, federal bureaucracy and federal agencies and why they vary between presidents.
- Analyse and evaluate one example showing the waxing and waning of presidential power.
- Analyse and evaluate the debate about the imperial versus imperilled presidency.
The judicial branch of government8 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the US judiciary.
- Analyse and evaluate the process of selecting and appointing Supreme Court judges and the Court's current composition.
- Analyse and evaluate the nature of judicial power and the constitutional role of the Supreme Court.
- Analyse and evaluate the Supreme Court as guardian and interpreter of the Constitution and protector of citizens' rights.
- Analyse and evaluate the significance of judicial review.
- Analyse and evaluate debates about the political significance of the Supreme Court.
- Analyse and evaluate two landmark Supreme Court rulings and the related debates and controversies.
- Analyse and evaluate the judiciary's significance in shaping one area of public policy.
The electoral process and direct democracy11 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for US elections and direct democracy.
- Analyse and evaluate electoral systems used in the USA and the main characteristics of presidential and congressional elections and campaigns.
- Analyse and evaluate candidate selection and nomination through primaries, caucuses and national nominating conventions.
- Analyse and evaluate debates concerning the workings, outcomes and campaign impact of the electoral college system.
- Analyse and evaluate factors determining electoral outcomes, including money, media, issues, leadership and incumbency.
- Analyse and evaluate debates about campaign finance.
- Analyse and evaluate direct democracy at state level through referendums, initiatives, propositions and recall elections.
- Analyse and evaluate voting behaviour and the main variables affecting voting in the USA.
- Analyse and evaluate links between parties and their core voting coalitions.
- Analyse and evaluate the significance of recent and historic realigning elections for explanations of voting behaviour.
- Analyse and evaluate split-ticket voting and high levels of abstention in US elections.
Political parties7 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for US political parties.
- Analyse and evaluate the ideologies, values, policies, traditions and organisation of the Democratic and Republican parties.
- Analyse and evaluate ideological change making the Democratic and Republican parties more distinct and polarised.
- Analyse and evaluate the factionalised nature of US parties and their internal divisions.
- Analyse and evaluate debates concerning party decline or renewal and the weakness of US parties.
- Analyse and evaluate two-party dominance in US politics.
- Analyse and evaluate the significance of third parties and independent candidates.
Pressure groups7 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for US pressure groups.
- Analyse and evaluate the extent of political pluralism in the USA.
- Analyse and evaluate pressure-group typologies and methods used to influence decision making.
- Analyse and evaluate pressure-group election funding, Washington insiders, iron triangles and reinforcement of incumbency.
- Analyse and evaluate the relative power of pressure groups and political parties.
- Analyse and evaluate debates concerning the power of pressure groups in the USA.
- Analyse and evaluate the role and significance of Political Action Committees and Super PACs in electoral finance.
Civil rights4 objectives
- Understand the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for US civil rights.
- Analyse and evaluate protection of civil liberties and rights under the Constitution, Bill of Rights, subsequent amendments and landmark Supreme Court rulings.
- Analyse and evaluate the role of pressure groups in promoting and supporting rights.
- Analyse and evaluate the impact of one salient civil-rights or civil-liberties issue on US politics.
Key terms
constitutional principles and territorial powerThe constitutional framework of US government focusThe nature and significance of the US Constitution and its constitutional principles focusThe framework of government laid down in the US Constitution focusThe federal system of government and federal-state relations focusThe constitutional amendment process focusDebates concerning the importance of the US Constitution to contemporary US government focuscivil-rights protection and campaigningProtection of civil liberties and rights under the US Constitution, Bill of focusUS institutions and constitutional checksCongress focusThe structure, role and powers of the US Congress focus
Exam tips
- The constitutional framework of US government 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 the constitutional framework of US government..
- The constitutional framework of US government Politics exam tip 1: Use a precise political example to support each developed point. Apply this to analyse and evaluate the nature and significance of the US Constitution and its constitutional principles..
Common mistakes
- The constitutional framework of US government 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.
- The constitutional framework of US government 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
- How far does the evidence support terminology constitutional framework government — the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the constitutional framework of US government? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from The constitutional framework of US government.
- What distinction should frame an answer about terminology constitutional framework government — the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the constitutional framework of US government? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from The constitutional framework of US government.
- Which institutional feature most directly affects terminology constitutional framework government — the meaning of the prescribed key concepts and terminology for the constitutional framework of US government? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from The constitutional framework of US government.
Continue by objective
Objectives are grouped by subtopic so students can jump straight to the exact skill they want to revise.
Related topics