1. UK Politics & Core Political Ideas

1.1 Democracy & Participation

Representative & Direct Democracy

A Wider Franchise & Suffrage

Pressure Group Influence

Other Influences on Government & Parliament

Rights in Context

1.2 Political Parties

Functions & Features of Political Parties

Funding of Political Parties

The Established Parties

Emerging & Minor UK Political Parties

UK Political Parties in Context

1.3 Electoral Systems

Electoral Systems: First Past the Post

Electoral Systems: Proportional Systems

Referendums

Analysing Electoral Systems

1.4 Voting Behaviour & the Media

Voting Behaviour

Parties & Voting Behaviour

Media & Election Outcomes

Case Study: The 1979 Election

Case Study: The 1997 Election

Case Study: The 2010 Election

Case Study: The 2024 Election

1.5 Conservatism

Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

Differing Views & Tensions in Conservatism

Conservative Thinkers & Their Ideas

1.6 Liberalism

Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles

Differing Views & Tensions in Liberalism

Liberal Thinkers & Their Ideas

1.7 Socialism

Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles

Differing Views & Tensions in Socialism

Socialist Thinkers & Their Ideas

2. UK Government & Non-Core Political Ideas

2.1 The Constitution

The Nature & Sources of the UK Constitution

Constitutional Change From 1997 - 2010 (Labour)

Constitutional Change From 2010 - 2015 (Coalition)

Constitutional Change Since 2015

Devolved Bodies in the UK

Constitutional Reform: Current Debates

2.2 Parliament

An Introduction to Parliament

The House of Commons

The House of Lords

Comparing the House of Commons & the House of Lords

The Legislative Process

Parliament & the Executive: Scrutiny

Parliamentary Privilege & the Role of the Opposition

Parliament & Representation

2.3 Prime Minister & Executive

Structure, Power & Roles of the Executive

Ministerial Responsibility

The Prime Minister & Cabinet

Prime Minister Influence: 1945 to 1997

Prime Minister Influence: 1997 to present

How Powerful is the Prime Minister?

2.4 Relations Between the Branches

The Supreme Court

The Executive & Parliament

The EU and UK Government

Sovereignty in the UK Political System

2.5 Anarchism

Anarchism: Core Ideas & Principles

Types of Anarchism

Anarchist Thinkers & Ideas

2.6 Ecologism

Ecologism: Core Ideas & Principles

Types of Ecologism

Ecologist Thinkers & Ideas

2.7 Feminism

Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles

Types of Feminism

Feminist Thinkers & Ideas

2.8 Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism: Core Ideas & Principles

Types of Multiculturalism

Multiculturalist Thinkers & Ideas

2.9 Nationalism

Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles

Types of Nationalism

Nationalist Thinkers & Ideas

3a. Comparative Politics: Government & Politics of the USA (Option Unit)

3a.1 US Constitution & Federalism

The Nature of the US Constitution

Amending the Constitution

Key Features of the US Constitution

US Federalism

Current Debates & Interpretations

Comparative Approaches: The UK & US Constitutions

Comparative Approaches: The US Federal System & UK Devolution

3a.2 US Congress

The Structure of Congress

The Functions of Congress

US Congress: Current Debates & Interpretations

Comparative Approaches: UK and US Legislative Branches

3a.3 US Presidency

Formal Sources of Presidential Power

Constitutional Power of Presidents Since 1992

Informal Sources of Presidential Power

Case Studies: Informal Powers of Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden

The Presidency & Institutions

Limitations on Presidential Power

The US Presidency: Interpretations Since 1992

Debates About the US Presidency

Comparative Approaches: The UK and US Executive Branches

3a.4 US Supreme Court & Civil Rights

The Nature & Role of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Appointment Process

The Supreme Court & Public Policy

Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

Current Debates & Interpretations

Comparative Approaches: UK & US Supreme Courts

Comparative Approaches: Protection of Civil Rights

3a.5 US Democracy & Participation

Electoral Systems in the USA: Presidential Elections

Electoral Systems in the USA: Campaign Finance

Democratic Party: Key Ideas & Principles

Republican Party: Key Ideas & Principles

Coalitions of Voters

Interest Groups in the USA

Current Debates & Interpretations

Comparative Approaches: UK & US Democracy

Comparative Approaches: Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups

3a.6 Comparative Approaches

An Introduction to Comparative Approaches

3b. Comparative Politics: Global Politics (Option Unit)

3b.1 The State & Globalisation

Characteristics of a Nation-State & National Sovereignty

Globalisation & the State System

The Impact of Globalisation

Globalisation & Contemporary Issues

3b.2 Global Governance: Political & Economic

Political: United Nations (UN)

Political: NATO

Economic:IMF & World Bank

Economic: WTO, G7, G8 & G20

Economic: Dealing With Poverty

Contemporary Global Issues

3b.3 Global Governance: Human Rights & Environmental

Human Rights Governance

Environmental Governance

Contemporary Global Issues

Obstacles & Effectiveness

3b.4 Power & Developments

Types of Power

Significance of States in Global Affairs

Polarity

Systems of Government

The Spread of Liberalism, Democracy & the Rule of Law

State Power & Contemporary Global Issues

3b.5 Regionalism & the EU

Forms of Regionalism

Regionalism: Current Debates

Development of Regional Organisations

European Integration

The EU & Global Politics

Regionalism & Contemporary Global Issues

3b.6 Comparative Theories

Realism

Liberalism

Divisions between Realism & Liberalism

Anarchical Society & Society of States

Realism, Liberalism & Global Politics

Study tools

• Edexcel A Level Politics · Past Papers

Related links

• A Level Politics · Revision Notes
• A Level Politics · Past Papers
• Edexcel A Level Politics · Exam specification