Politics A Level

Politics, perhaps more than any other A Level subject, explains the society in which we live. Politicians are responsible for the public services we use and how they are organised and funded. The decisions that affect our schools and colleges, our health service, and armed forces are all political decisions. Our rights and responsibilities as citizens – the power of the state over us, and our ability to choose and influence those in authority – also form part of politics. How fair and representative is our voting system? How do people organise themselves to put pressure on government? How powerful is Parliament? If you are interested in these and similar questions, then this is the subject for you.

1. Political Participation includes democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.
2. Core Political Ideas: conservatism, liberalism, socialism.

1. UK Government, includes the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches.
2. Non-core political ideas: one from a choice of anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism.

• You will study the US Constitution, Congress, presidency, and Supreme Court; civil rights, democracy and participation, and theories which compare the US and UK.

Grade 5 in English Language. Grade 5 in History is helpful but not essential

Skills Developed

• Critical thinking skills
• Comprehend, synthesise and interpret political information
• Analyse and evaluate political knowledge

Related Subjects

• History
• Economics
• Philosophy
• Sociology

Potential Career

• Journalism
• Media
• Law
• Research
• Policy
• Civil Service – working in Local or National Government

How does this course link to other subjects?

Politics links well to other subjects which explain our society, particularly History, Economics and Sociology, as well as Philosophy. It requires a good standard of written and spoken English as it requires you to write essays which display your critical thinking skills.