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Topic 1:
The
Constitution |
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Key concepts |
Content explanation |
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constitution
constitutionalism
codified/uncodified
constitution
unitary/federal
constitution
parliamentary
sovereignty
pooled sovereignty
devolution
quasi-federalism
elective dictatorship |
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Nature of the
constitution a knowledge and understanding of the features of a
constitution and of the benefits of constitutional government, including the
differences between codified and uncodified constitutions, and an
understanding of the nature, sources and key features of the UK
constitution.
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Sovereignty and
the constitution a knowledge and understanding of debates about the
location of sovereignty within the UK constitutional system, particularly in
relation to the significance of European Union membership and devolution.
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Reforming the
constitution a knowledge and understanding of key reforms to the
constitution since 1997, such as devolution and Lords reform, and an
awareness of their advantages and disadvantages; and an understanding of
ongoing debate about constitutional reform, including the possible
introduction of a written constitution.
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Topic
2:
parliament |
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Key concepts |
Content explanation |
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Parliament
Westminster model
representative
and responsible
government
parliamentary
government
presidential
government
fusion/separation of
powers
bicameralism
accountability |
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Legislatures and
executives a knowledge and understanding of the different
relationships between legislatures and executives in parliamentary and
presidential systems of government, and an awareness of the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
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Role of
Parliament a knowledge and understanding of the composition, role and
powers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and an awareness of
the functions of Parliament and how effectively it discharges them,
including an awareness of the relationship of Parliament to the European
Union and devolved assemblies. (A detailed knowledge of the workings of
Parliament is not necessary.)
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Reforming
Parliament a knowledge and understanding of recent and proposed
reforms of Parliament, including an awareness of their implications and
alleged benefits or drawbacks.
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Topic
3:
Prime Minister and
Cabinet |
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Key concepts |
Content explanation |
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cabinet government
core executive
prime ministerial
government
presidentialism
political leadership
collective responsibility
individual responsibility |
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Role of the Prime Minister and Cabinet a knowledge
and understanding of the role of the Prime Minister and Cabinet within the
context of the core executive and the conventions of collective and
individual responsibility. (Separate questions will not be set on the
civil service.)
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Powers of the Prime Minister a knowledge and
understanding of the sources of prime ministerial power and of key
constraints on the Prime Minister, including external factors that affect
executive policy making.
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Prime ministerial leadership a knowledge and
understanding of the leadership style adopted by Prime Ministers and of the
changing relationship between Prime Ministers and their parties, cabinet and
Parliament, including debates about the presidentialisation of UK politics.
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Topic
4:
Judges and Civil Liberties
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Key concepts |
Content explanation |
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judiciary
judicial independence
judicial neutrality
civil liberty/civil
liberties
rule of law |
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Role of the judiciary a knowledge and understanding
of the role and significance of the judiciary in promoting rule-based
governance.
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Power and influence of judges a knowledge and
understanding of the relationship between the judiciary and other branches
of government, and of the extent to which judges can check the power of the
executive and the legislature.
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Civil liberties and individual rights a knowledge
and understanding of the impact of the courts on the issues of civil
liberties and individual rights including the implications of the Human
Rights Act and possible reforms such as the introduction of a supreme court
and a constitutional bill of rights, and of the relationship between the
judiciary, the European courts and EU law
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