Exam-style question
Try this first
Which factor deserves greatest weight when evaluating Comprehend interpret political information — Comprehend and interpret political information? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from Political skills and synopticity.
- A.the UK constitution is uncodified and retains parliamentary sovereignty, whereas the US Constitution is codified, federal and based on a formal separation of powers; this matters because different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability.
- B.The UK and USA have identical structures for constitutional arrangements.
- C.Only political culture matters, so institutions can be ignored when comparing constitutional arrangements.
- D.Describe the UK and USA separately without identifying a similarity, difference or consequence.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The correct answer is the UK constitution is uncodified and retains parliamentary sovereignty, whereas the US Constitution is codified, federal and based on a formal separation of powers; this matters because different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability.
- The extract shows the meaning of the argument; therefore its implication should be stated before evaluation.
Explanation
Why this works
the UK constitution is uncodified and retains parliamentary sovereignty, whereas the US Constitution is codified, federal and based on a formal separation of powers; this matters because different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability. This is correct because AO2 requires an explicit institutional comparison and explains that different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability.
Apply parliamentary sovereignty, codification, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, conventions and judicial review precisely. the UK constitution is uncodified and retains parliamentary sovereignty, whereas the US Constitution is codified, federal and based on a formal separation of powers.
A structural viewpoint emphasises formal rules; however, a rational or cultural viewpoint may explain how actors use those rules. Overall, judge the evidence from an Act, convention, constitutional provision, ruling or institutional example and explain whether different constitutional rules alter institutional checks and accountability for "Comprehend and interpret political information.".
This shows how the political information should be interpreted, and therefore why its implication matters for the conclusion.
Common mistake
No common mistake is linked to this question yet.