Government and Politics

Course summary

There are 3 components: • UK Politics and Core Ideas • UK Government • Government and Politics of the USA UK Politics: • Democracy and Participation - the differences between direct democracy and representative democracy. • Political Parties - ideas and policies. • Electoral Systems - the different systems in the UK and the case for and against referendums. • Elections - 2017 and two other years. • Political Ideas, such as conservatism. UK Government: • The constitution - nature, sources and significance of reforms, devolution and a codified constitution for the UK. • Parliament - the powers of the Commons and Lords, law making and the effectiveness of scrutiny of the government and backbench MPs and the opposition. • The Prime Minister and Cabinet - the power of the Prime Minister and the relationship with the cabinet; 3 Prime Ministers are studied in detail. • The Supreme Court - its power and influence; the impact of the EU on the UK; sovereignty; devolution and the Human Rights Act; Nationalism. Government and Politics of the USA: • US Constitution – nature and principles; federalism. • Congress – powers of the House and Senate; how well it carries out its functions; impact of party and partisanship. • President – powers; checks on presidential power; are presidents imperial or imperilled? • Supreme Court and civil rights – power; the appointment process; how the court exercises its power and its impact on public policy; protection of rights and its effect on civil rights. • Presidential Elections – Primaries and Electoral College; money in elections; the Democrat and • Republican parties; tactics, influence and importance of pressure groups. • Comparison with the UK – considers the President and Prime Minister, who is more powerful and why?