During the course you will study the political ideas that exist in the UK as well as the way in which the country is governed. You will examine the philosophies of the main political parties, and the way in which democracy works in the UK and how citizens can participate in it. You will also investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the system of government in the UK by studying the working of Parliament, the office of Prime Minister and the role of the Courts. In the second year you will widen your understanding of government and politics by studying the political system of the USA in comparison to the UK, and also study key ideologies which lay the framework for the beliefs of the political parties and the voters which elect them, with a specific focus on socialism, liberalism, conservatism and anarchism.