STUDYING GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS AT ST DOMINIC’S
Government and Politics students at St
Dominic’s have the opportunity to visit
the Houses of Parliament, the London
Assembly and the United States
(Washington D.C. and New York)
What will I be learning about in Government and Politics?
The aim of the GCE A Level in Government and Politics is to encourage students to gain an understanding of the nature of
politics and the relationship between political ideas, institutions and processes. It also aims to encourage an
understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the individual and how these are upheld in different political systems.
AS Level (1st year) – Politics of the UK
Unit 1: People and Politics
1. Democracy and political participation – how can we
increase political participation?
2. Party policies and ideas – what do the different political
parties believe in and why?
3. Elections and voting – how and why do we vote in the UK?
4. Pressure groups – are they good for UK democracy?
Unit 2: Governing the UK
1. The Constitution – who has power in the UK and why?
2. Parliament – does Parliament make law effectively? How
can elected politicians hold the government to account?
3. The PM and the Executive – how powerful is the PM? Is
he becoming more presidential?
4. Judges and civil liberties – Are judges too powerful?
A2 Level (2nd year) – Politics of the USA
Unit 3: Representative Processes in the USA
1. Elections and voting – why are US elections so long?
2. Political parties – what do the different political parties
believe in and why?
3. Pressure groups – are they good for US democracy?
4. Racial and ethnic politics – why is the issue of race still
such an important issue in US politics?
Unit 4: Governing the USA
1. The Constitution – who has power in the US and why?
2. Congress – does Congress make law effectively?
3. Presidency – why does a president’s power decline over
time? Has Obama succeeded in his overall objectives?
4. Supreme Court – why is the US Supreme Court so much
more powerful/influential than its UK equivalent?
Each unit is assessed by a single examination. Each unit represents 25% of the GCE A Level.
N.B. Government and Politics specification will change under the government’s A Level reforms until September 2017
Why study Government and Politics at St Dominic’s?
Government and Politics is an excellent course choice as it combines so well with many other A Levels:

History. There is a significant overlap between the course content and essay-writing style in History and Government
and Politics, which makes studying these two courses together mutually beneficial. Combining the two subjects at
university allows for a greater focus on more modern history.

Economics. Government and Politics gives Economics students a firm grasp of the political dimensions of fiscal policy.
The combination of these two subjects is natural and very popular with universities.

Law. Government and Politics benefits the study of Law by giving students a greater insight into the political
dimensions of the judiciary and the legal responsibilities of parliaments and governments.

Sciences/Maths. Studying Government and Politics shows universities that Science/Maths students have another
string to their bow and are able to present complex written arguments with clarity.
What careers can I embark upon having studied Government and Politics A Level?
Government and Politics is also a highly-respected undergraduate degree when studied on its own or in conjunction with
other subjects, such as Economics and Philosophy (known as Politics, Philosophy and Economics or PPE). Degrees in
Government and Politics most commonly lead to careers in law, journalism, the civil service, local authorities (i.e. NHS
trusts), political research and management. Advice and guidance on how to pursue these careers is available throughout
your time at St Dominic’s from our dedicated Careers Advisor and from your subject teachers.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: TRANSITION ASSIGNMENT
TASK 1:
The most important thing to do when studying Government and Politics at A Level is to keep abreast of
current affairs. Exam answers which contain up-to-date examples to justify an argument will be rewarded.
Due to the importance of current affairs to the study of Government and Politics, it is an excellent idea to start getting
yourself into the habit of reading the news daily. Over the summer, keep abreast of current affairs by consulting one
or more of the following sources of political news every day:



A daily broadsheet newspaper - e.g. The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, The Financial Times
BBC Politics website – www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics
Weekly political magazines – e.g. New Statesman, The Spectator, The Economist
Of the news articles you read over the summer, keep one that you found particularly interesting and thought-provoking.
Consider the following questions:
a) Briefly, what is the news article about? Summarise in 100 words or fewer.
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b) Why did you select this news article? What does it tell you about politics in the UK?
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: TRANSITION ASSIGNMENT
Citizens of the United Kingdom are only legally allowed to vote in elections and referendums when they reach the age
of 18. The legal voting age is subject to much debate, with some people feeling the age should be lowered, some
feeling the age is about right and others feeling the age should be raised. Some opinions are shared below:
The voting age should be lowered to 16 years old:
“Funnily enough I campaigned for the voting age to be lowered years ago. I think that it gives youngsters more of an investment in what’s
happening. However, I also think voting should be compulsory as it is in other countries, for example Australia” - Nicky, Dartford
“At 16 years of age you are able to marry, pay taxes, and leave home. You can legally have sex, which implies it is the age at which the
Government deems you old enough to become a parent. If you are deemed old enough to become a parent, get married and contribute to
the treasury, then you should be deemed old enough to decide who makes the policies that so greatly affect your life” – Greg, Burnley
The voting age should be raised to 21 years old:
“18 it is too young for them to have much of a judgement on why there is a vote. To them it is more of an ‘in the moment thing’. Which
party will lower the age of getting a drink, or keep the clubs open, and which won’t? Rather than which party will make life easier for the
elderly, etc.” – Jennifer, Wirral
“18-year-olds may think that they know everything but they really do not. Unfortunately one does not realise this when one is 18. One needs
to have some experience of the world and 21 should be the minimum age – perhaps 25 would be better” – Mike, Gloucestershire
The voting age should remain at 18 years old:
“18 is the age of majority. I don’t see any reason to change this. 16 would be far too young and to return to the old 21 would not take
account of the fact that by that age many young people are living totally independent lives. The school leaving age is being raised soon. It
would be stupid to have people who were still at school being able to vote” – Linda, Leeds
“I myself am 21 years of age. I believe that my “reasoned” political opinion has formed since my time away from home at university. I think
that 18 is an appropriate age, otherwise political parties would make inappropriate commitments to try and win the votes of the young” –
Donald, Dundee
TASK 2: Having read the opinions above, do you think the legal voting age in the UK should be lowered, be raised
or remain the same? Write a paragraph giving and explaining your opinion.
TASK 3:
It is argued that lowering the voting age to 16 years old would increase the number of people who
participate in British politics. The table below lists this and other changes that could be made to increase
participation.
Re-draft and complete the table on A4 with at least one advantage and one disadvantage for each change.
Method to increase participation in British politics...
Advantage
Disadvantage
Lower the legal voting age in Britain to 16 years old
Example: Allows younger people to
vote in elections and have their say
on issues which affect their daily
lives.
Example: 16 year olds may not
have as much political knowledge
as 18 year olds - giving them the
right to vote is a waste?
Get the British public more involved in decision-making. This
could involve asking them a yes/no question (i.e. should the
UK keep the pound as its currency?) to gauge their opinion
Make voting compulsory. This would involve making it
illegal NOT to vote in UK elections (this is the case in
Australia, where failing to vote incurs a $20 fine)
Allow people to get more involved in politics via the
internet. This could involve allowing people to vote or
watch political debates online