Government and Politics

Course summary

We may not always like politicians and the things that governments do, but the business of politics touches every aspect of our lives, and whilst we might criticise governments for some of their policies, it has to be better than having no government at all. Society just would not function without an elected body to decide, say, what taxes will be levied, how those taxes will be spent on things like health and education or how the country will be defended. Regardless of whether the government makes you feel angry or reassured, it is worth having a knowledge of how the whole process of an elected government works. Government and Politics will appeal to students who have a genuine interest in current affairs, combined with an ability to analyse and evaluate questions logically, using relevant supporting evidence. Students will review government policies at local, regional, national and European Union levels and examine the debates and controversies associated with these policies. Areas of study will include democracy in the UK, political parties, pressure groups, Parliament, Prime Minister and Cabinet, the judiciary, economic policy, the welfare state, particularly state education and the NHS, law and order and civil liberties, environmental policies and the European Union.