Pearson Edexcel A Level UK Government and Politics Sixth Edition

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harder to explain precisely what politics is. This is not surprising, given the Chapter 2 The UK political system range of definitions and interpretations in common usage. Definitions of politics One of the most memorable and effective definitions of politics is found in the title of a book by US political scientist Howard Lasswell: Politics: Who Gets What, When and How (1935). Politics is, in essence, the process by which individuals and groups with divergent interests and values make collective decisions. It exists because of two key features of human societies: Q Scarcity of resources. Certain goods, from material wealth to knowledge and influence, are in short supply, so disputes arise over their distribution. Q Competing interests and values. There are competing interests, needs and wants in complex societies, as well as different views on how resources should be distributed.Key terms Power or conciliationAuthority The right to take a There are two broad perspectives on the conduct of politics: particular course of action. Q Politics is about power. Power is the ability to achieve a favouredPower The ability to do outcome, whether through coercion or the exercise of authority. The something or make something study of politics thus focuses on the distribution of power within a happen. society: who makes the rules and where does their authority come from? Q Politics is about conciliation. Here the focus is on conflict resolution, negotiation and compromise. Politics can be a force for good, a way of reaching decisions in divided societies without resorting to force.In focusPowerPower is the ability to do something or make something happen. It can be subdivided into four forms:Q Absolute power is the unlimited ability to do as one wishes and this exists only in theory.Q Persuasive power is the ability to persuade others that a course of action is the right one.Q Legitimate power involves others accepting an individual’s right to make decisions, perhaps as a result of an election.Q Coercive power means pressing others into complying, using laws and penalties.In a democracy, governments exercise legitimate power, with elements of persuasive and coercive power.In focusAuthorityAuthority is the right to take a particular course of action. The German sociologist Max Weber (1864–1920) identifiedthree sources of authority:Q Traditional authority is based on established traditions and customs.Q Charismatic authority is based on the characteristics of leaders.Q Legal–rational authority is granted by a formal process such as an election.Only parliament has the authority to make and unmake laws in the UK. This legal–rational authority is legitimisedthrough free and fair elections.Authority and power may be held independently of one another: a bomb-wielding terrorist may have power withoutauthority; a teacher might have authority without genuine power; and a police officer in a tactical firearms unit mayhave power and authority. 17 Comparative Politics– This textbook provides a comparative analysis of political systems, with case studies that can aid in comparing US and UK politics.

Sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start with A-Level revision. But there’s no need to worry, because CGP is here to help! This is some general advice from our examiners on the issue of how to approach essay writing and ensuring sufficient evaluation in A level Politics essays. Key term Electoral systems Chapter 2 The UK political system Party system The set of political The party system is shaped, in part, by the electoral system. The single- 31 parties in a political system and member plurality (first-past-the-post) electoral system used for general the relationships between them. elections has tended to reward the major parties and give a parliamentary majority to the party that secures most votes. This, its supporters claim,The media play an important role in ensures strong and responsible government. Smaller parties (e.g. theelection campaigns Liberal Democrats and UKIP), whose support is thinly spread rather than concentrated in a region, are disadvantaged — there is no reward for coming second in a constituency. With the exception of the SNP, third and smaller parties have not won the number of seats that their share of the vote merited. First-past-the-post has thus acted as a life-support system for the two-party system. However, the way the first-past-the-post system works is changing. With the number of marginal seats decreasing and smaller parties winning more votes and seats, the system is now less likely to produce single- party governments with comfortable parliamentary majorities. Beyond Westminster, proportional representation and mixed-member electoral systems have accelerated the trend towards multiparty politics. The mechanics of the different electoral systems used in the UK, plus their strengths and weaknesses, are explored in Chapter 10. Voting behaviour and the media The rise of multiparty politics also reflects changes in voting behaviour and the support bases of the main parties. In the early postwar period, most people voted for their natural class party — middle-class voters supported the Conservatives and working-class voters supported Labour — and had a strong identification with that party. Class voting has fallen sharply in the last 40 years as a result of changes in society and in the parties. Elections are now decided by valence politics: with little ideological difference between the main parties, voters make a judgement based on the party they think is most likely to deliver a strong economy and good public services, and the leader they prefer. Changes in voting behaviour are examined in detail in Chapter 11. Print media The media also play an important role in election campaigns. Newspaper coverage is partisan rather than neutral. Most newspapers support a political party, and there are more Conservative-supporting newspapers than Labour-supporting ones. Anticipating no clear winner of the 2015 general election, some newspapers supported a continuation of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition (see Table 2.3). Newspaper owners such as Rupert Murdoch (who owns the Sun and The Times) can exercise significant influence. There are three broad perspectives on the political significance of the media: Q Influence. Newspapers have a direct influence over the voting behaviour of their readers. Research shows that, allowing for class and existing attitudes, readers of Labour-supporting newspapers are more likely to vote for Labour than are readers of pro-Conservative newspapers. The Sun claims to have influenced the outcome of recent elections, notably when running hostile campaigns against Labour in 1992 and 2015, or switching support to Labour in 1997.

Politics Classics– a great book that helps to condense the main ideas of many key thinkers, including Thomas Hobbes, Mary Wollstonecraft and more. In support material and examiner reports there are some good examples where we try to spell out best practice and give insights in how to maximise mark potential and reflect on the past series of exams. The Federalist Papers– essential reading on the principles and arguments that shaped the American Constitution. UnPresidented– written by the BBC’s North America correspondent, this book looks at the 2020 presidential election from behind the scenes, an election like no other. Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace– a fundamental work in the realist school of international relations.

Activity Q Reinforcement. Newspapers reinforce views already held by their readers. Most people read a newspaper that reflects their political Explore how a selection of views but they often rely on television, rather than newspapers, for newspapers report the same non-partisan coverage of politics. political issue or event. To what extent are they partisan? How do Q Shaping the agenda. Newspapers may not have a direct influence they frame the issue or event? on voting but their coverage shapes the political agenda. Coverage of issues (such as immigration or crime) and party leaders helps to frame the way in which the issues and leaders are perceived by voters. Table 2.3 Partisan support of daily newspapers at the general election, 2015 Newspaper Party endorsement Sun Conservative Mirror Labour Daily Star None Daily Mail Conservative Daily Express UKIP Telegraph Conservative The Times Conservative/Liberal Democrat Guardian Labour Independent Conservative/Liberal Democrat Financial Times Conservative/Liberal Democrat Television media The introduction of televised leaders’ debates in 2010 increased the importance of television coverage of elections and put the spotlight still more firmly on the party leaders Much television news coverage of elections focuses on the campaign (e.g. opinion polls, which were inaccurate during the 2015 general election campaign) and party leaders, rather than policy issues. Democracy in BritainUK Government and Politics for AS/A-level The Westminster model’s vision of liberal democracy is a limited one. The UK is a representative democracy in which the government is held accountable through regular free elections. But, in the Westminster model, citizens have few opportunities for political participation beyond general elections. Representative democracy is valued for giving the political system legitimacy, rather than as a means of popular participation. Opportunities for greater political participation Despite the limitations of representative democracy, opportunities for political participation by citizens have been extended since the 1990s. Elections beyond Westminster Devolution has enhanced accountability and participation by decentralising decision-making power and creating new elected institutions. New positions in local government, such as elected mayors and police and crime commissioners (PCCs), are also directly elected. As a result of the Recall of MPs Act 2015, constituents can recall their MP if he or she is imprisoned or suspended from the House of Commons.32 Essentials of Political Ideas– an A Level book that looks into the political ideas, their thinkers and other revision tips. Conservatism: The Fight for a Tradition– an exploratory book that looks at the history of conservatism and the different strands that it encompasses. The Power of Geography– the sequel to Prisoners of Geography that discusses the future of global politics and power.

The Communist Manifesto– the most notable work of socialist literature by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. There are lots of different subjects that you can study at A-Level. Some of the most popular A-Level subjects are Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sociology and Business. Case study Majoritarian or consensual democracy? Dutch political scientist Arend Lijphart located main parties with opposing ideological positions. Power liberal democracies on a spectrum with majoritarian sharing is the norm in a consensual democracy. democracy at one extreme and consensual democracy at the other (see Table 2.1). The UK Westminster model is the archetypal majoritarian democracy, while Switzerland is a In a majoritarian democracy, political power is leading example of consensual democracy. The Blair concentrated at the centre and there are few limits to its governments’ constitutional reforms introduced exercise. Common features include a flexible constitution, elements of consensual democracy (e.g. devolution a plurality electoral system, a two-party system, a and the Human Rights Act), while multiparty politics dominant executive and a unitary state. In a consensual and coalition government have also become more democracy, political power is diffused. Typical features apparent. But the UK is still close to the majoritarian are a rigid constitution, proportional representation, position. Parliamentary sovereignty remains the guiding multiparty politics, the separation of powers and a constitutional principle, the fusion of the legislature and federal system. There are also important differences in executive has not been disturbed greatly, and the first- political culture. Politics is adversarial in a majoritarian past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system is still used for democracy, characterised by conflict between two Westminster elections. Questions Q What are the main differences between a majoritarian and a consensual democracy? Q Is the UK still a majoritarian democracy? Table 2.1 Majoritarian and consensual democracyUK Government and Politics for AS/A-level Aspect of political Majoritarian democracy Consensual democracy system Flexible constitution is easily amended Rigid constitution can only be amended through Constitution special procedures Executive is dominant and controls the legislature There is a balance of power between the Executive–legislative executive and legislature relations Courts cannot challenge the constitutionality of Constitutional court can strike down legislation Judiciary legislation Unitary state with power concentrated at the Federal system with power divided between tiers Territorial politics centre of government Majoritarian system produces single-party Proportional representation produces coalition Electoral system government government Adversarial two-party system Cooperative multiparty system Party system Activity Key term Using the information in Table 2.1 and the rest of this chapter, assess the extent to which the UK has moved from the majoritarian democracy extreme towards the consensual democracy end of the spectrum. Constitution The laws, rules and practices which determine the The constitution institutions of the state, and the The British constitution is highly unusual as it is uncodified. This means relationship between the state that the major principles of the political system are not found in a single, and its citizens. authoritative document. Instead they are located in various Acts of20 We’re Living Through the Breakdown– this book is written by Tatton Spiller of Simple Politics, and looks at how we can understand politics in an age of huge change. Pearson Edexcel does not insist or recommend that there is only one form of essay writing in which to frame responses. There are a wide range of approaches and methods all of which are perfectly valid and creditworthy. Essay style and composition does vary from centre to centre and within centres from candidate to candidate – that is borne out in the vast range of scripts we mark. We do not seek common uniformity but instead celebrate the different and unique approaches which we see.

An A Level Politics Reading List is important due to the breadth of topics covered in A Level Politics. Keeping on top of politics can be difficult, so we’ve created an A Level Politics Reading List we recommend so you can keep engaged over the summer and during your studies.

The Act of Settlement 1701UK Government and Politics for AS/A-level Synoptic links The Act of Settlement in 1701 marked another step in the changing relationship between the crown and parliament. When it became clear that The prime minister’s neither William III nor his heir, Queen Anne, would have any children, the power of patronage succession should have gone to one of the heirs of James II or Charles I. However, these heirs were Catholic and the Protestant Westminster Today, the prime minister can parliament objected to a Catholic monarch. The Act of Settlement was appoint any MP or peer to the passed to settle the succession problem and parliament decided to offer government. A return to the the throne to George of Hanover. While there were nearly 50 closer principle of cabinet appointees relatives to Queen Anne, George was chosen as the closest relative who having to stand again in a by- was not a Catholic, despite having never been to England and not being election would limit the power of able to speak a word of English. the prime minister and perhaps force MPs to consider the wishes So when George I became king in 1714 it was the result of an Act of constituents rather than of Parliament, not through any divine right of inheritance. In addition seeking career advancement, thus to granting parliament the power to choose the monarch, the Act of improving democracy. However, Settlement also established several principles that had been suggested it may lead to a less effective during the debates over the Bill of Rights: government and make the prime Q Judges could not be removed without the consent of parliament. minister unwilling to make Q Royal pardons were to be irrelevant in cases of impeachment. necessary changes to the cabinet. Q The monarch could not take England into a war to defend their home country, without the consent of parliament. Q In governing Britain, the monarch could not make decisions alone and had to consult the full Privy Council. Q No foreign-born man could join the Privy Council, sit in parliament, hold a military command or be given lands or titles in Britain. Q The monarch had to be a member of the Church of England. Q The monarch could not be Catholic or married to a Catholic. Key term Privy Council A group of senior political advisors who have the job of advising the monarch on the use of the royal prerogative. The Act contained a provision that, after the death of Queen Anne, ‘no person who has an office or place of profit under the king, or receives a pension from the Crown, shall be capable of serving as a member of the House of Commons’. Had this clause not been repealed by the Regency Act of 1706, the UK would have seen a strict separation of power and the idea of cabinet government would not have become established. After the Act of Settlement, anyone appointed to the cabinet had to resign their seat in the House of Commons and stand in a by-election, a practice that continued until 1918. This meant the power of the monarch, and then the prime minister, to appoint cabinet ministers was limited by the fear of losing a by-election. The Act also established the principle that the monarch could only choose ministers who could command a majority of support across both Houses of Parliament. This meant the king had to choose a ‘king in parliament’ who could control both chambers, rather than appointing the minister of his choice.8 between the executive and legislative branches, and the executive is Chapter 2 The UK political system dominated by a single individual (the president) who is directly elected by the people.Distinguish betweenParliamentary and presidential governmentParliamentary government Presidential governmentO The executive and legislative branches are fused O There is a clear separation of powers between the — government ministers must be members of the executive and legislative branches — members of legislature, and are responsible to it. the executive cannot be members of the legislature.O Parliament can dismiss the government through a O The legislature cannot dismiss the president, except vote of confidence; the government can dissolve in special circumstances, and the executive cannot parliament by calling a general election. dissolve the legislature.O Power is exercised collectively within the executive O Executive power is concentrated in the office of the branch. The prime minister is the head of a cabinet. president.O The prime minister is the person who can O The president is directly elected by the people. command a majority in parliament following a O The president is also head of state. general election.O The head of the executive is not the head of state. The executive 23 The executive is the branch of government concerned with the formulation and implementation of policy. In the UK, it consists of the prime minister, the cabinet and its committees, and government departments. The prime minister is the head of the government and his or her role entails: Q Political leadership. The prime minister decides the political direction taken by the government, setting its priorities and determining policy on key issues. Q National leadership. The prime minister is communicator-in-chief for the government and provides national leadership at times of crisis. Q Appointing the government. The prime minister appoints and dismisses ministers. Q Chairing the cabinet. The prime minister chairs the cabinet and steers its decisions. He or she creates cabinet committees and holds bilateral meetings with ministers. Q Managing the executive. The prime minister can restructure government departments and the civil service. The power of the prime minister also depends on their leadership skills and the wider political context — policy success, popularity with the public and a large parliamentary majority will strengthen their position. Some commentators argue that the greater authority of, and focus on, the individual who holds the office of prime minister have brought elements of presidentialism into the UK parliamentary system. The nature of prime-ministerial power, and claims that the office of prime minister has become more presidential, are examined in depth in Chapter 6. Collective government through cabinet had been the norm until the latter part of the twentieth century. The cabinet consists of senior ministers Prisoners of Geography– a book detailing the big powers in global politics, and how maps can explain them. Chapter 10 Electoral systems 249 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Elections and democracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249 The first-past-the-post electoral system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Advantages and disadvantages of the first-past-the-post electoral system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260 Other electoral systems used in the UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264 The impact of the electoral systems used in the UK. . . . . . . . .268 Referendums in the UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Voting behaviour and the role of the media in politics 281 How do different regions of the UK vote? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 How do class, gender, age and ethnicity affect voting? . . . . . .282 Changes in voting trends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289 Explaining voter choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 The role of the party leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Voting trends across elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 The role of the media in politics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304 Political parties 310 What is a political party? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 Types of political party in the UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 The UK party system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 The three main political parties in the UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 The structure and organisation of the three main UK parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330 Political party funding in the UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340 Answers to the exam-style questions at the end of each chapter can be found at: https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/UKGovernmentandPoliticsvi A-Levels are linear, which means all the content you’ve studied in both Year 12 and Year 13 will be assessed in exams at the end of the course. Exams for A-Level students usually take place in May and June, so it’s important to make sure you plan ahead and start early to give yourself plenty of time to revise.

The Liberal Tradition in America– Explores the historical roots and characteristics of liberalism in the United States and its implications for international relations.

Published resources

Essentials of UK Politics and Government is the go-to textbook for all A-level Politics students studying the Edexcel specification. Building on Andrew Heywood's signature accessible style, this new fifth edition has been thoroughly updated by Kathy Schindler and Adam Tomes who draw on their experience to provide an innovative guide to UK Politics. This book covers all the core topics from Democracy and Participation, Elections and Referendums and Voting Behaviour, to the Constitution, the Prime Minister and Parliament. AO1 and AO2 presented little difficulty and they have appeared on the legacy specification in a similar format – as such they are not new demands. This does differ when we come to AO3. Unlike on the legacy specification where this was a lesser mark for communication – AO3 is now an equal partner for marks with the other two AOs. It demands that the candidate forms a judgment and reaches a verdict. Political Ideas You Really Need to Know– a book that includes many of the political ideas covered in the course (though many also don’t apply). If you look across the entire Principal Examiner Reports one common theme which emerges is the demand placed on candidates to reach out and gain AO3 marks. This was a fault line across all papers.