Comparative Politics Edexcel A-Level Essay Plans
1
Essay Questions
Examine how the powers of the US Congress and the UK Parliament are limited in
different ways. [12]
Examine the ways in which the US and the UK Constitutions are similar. [12]
Examine the factors that create a two-party dominance both in the US and in the UK [12]
Examine the ways in which the US House of Representatives differs from the UK House
of Commons. [12]
Examine the ways in which US presidents and UK prime ministers may seek to influence
legislation. [12]
Examine how interest groups in the USA are more effective at protecting civil right than
pressure groups in the UK. [12]
Examine how devolution in the UK differs from federalism in the USA. [12]
Examine the ways in which the roles of the US President and the UK PM are different.
(12)
Examine how the powers of the US Congress and the UK Parliament are limited in
different ways. (12)
Analyse the differences in party unity in the US and in the UK.
In your answer you must consider the relevance of at least one comparative theory. [12]
Analyse how independent the Supreme Courts are in the USA and the UK.
In your answer you must consider the relevance of at least one comparative theory. [12]
Analyse the different legislative powers of the UK Parliament and the US Congress.
In your answer you must consider the relevance of at least one comparative theory. [12]
Essay Plans
Examine how the powers of the US Congress and the UK Parliament are limited
in different ways
, Comparative Politics Edexcel A-Level Essay Plans
2
- Constitutional Basis (Codified vs. Uncodified): Congress is limited by a
codified Constitution and Article I, which grants only "enumerated powers."
Any action beyond this can be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme
Court (Judicial Review). In contrast, the UK Parliament operates under
Parliamentary Sovereignty. It cannot be legally bound by a predecessor or
bind a successor, meaning its limits are more political (public opinion,
international law) than strictly legal.
- The Executive-Legislative Relationship: The US features a Separation of
Powers. The President can veto legislation, and the "checks and balances"
system ensures Congress is often limited by a rival branch. In the UK, there
is a fusion of powers. The government usually commands a majority in the
Commons, meaning Parliament is often less a "limit" on the government and
more a tool for it (Executive Dominance), though it is limited by the threat
of a "vote of no confidence."
- Bicameralism: Congress is limited by a co-equal second chamber (the
Senate), which can block any legislation. The UK Parliament is
characterized by asymmetric bicameralism. The House of Lords is limited
by the Parliament Acts (1911/1949) and the Salisbury Convention, meaning
it can only delay, not block, the will of the elected Commons.
Examine the ways in which the US and the UK Constitutions are similar
- Protection of Rights: Both constitutions provide frameworks for civil
liberties. The US does this via the Bill of Rights (entrenched), while the UK
utilizes the Human Rights Act (1998). Although the HRA is not entrenched,
both systems allow the judiciary to protect individuals from executive
overreach.
- Independent Judiciaries: Both systems rely on an independent judicial
branch to interpret the law. The US Supreme Court and the UK Supreme
Court (established 2009) both act as "umpires" of the constitutional
arrangement, ensuring that the government acts within the law through
Judicial Review.
- Evolutionary Nature: While the US Constitution is codified, it changes
through interpretive evolution (Supreme Court rulings) and infrequent
1
Essay Questions
Examine how the powers of the US Congress and the UK Parliament are limited in
different ways. [12]
Examine the ways in which the US and the UK Constitutions are similar. [12]
Examine the factors that create a two-party dominance both in the US and in the UK [12]
Examine the ways in which the US House of Representatives differs from the UK House
of Commons. [12]
Examine the ways in which US presidents and UK prime ministers may seek to influence
legislation. [12]
Examine how interest groups in the USA are more effective at protecting civil right than
pressure groups in the UK. [12]
Examine how devolution in the UK differs from federalism in the USA. [12]
Examine the ways in which the roles of the US President and the UK PM are different.
(12)
Examine how the powers of the US Congress and the UK Parliament are limited in
different ways. (12)
Analyse the differences in party unity in the US and in the UK.
In your answer you must consider the relevance of at least one comparative theory. [12]
Analyse how independent the Supreme Courts are in the USA and the UK.
In your answer you must consider the relevance of at least one comparative theory. [12]
Analyse the different legislative powers of the UK Parliament and the US Congress.
In your answer you must consider the relevance of at least one comparative theory. [12]
Essay Plans
Examine how the powers of the US Congress and the UK Parliament are limited
in different ways
, Comparative Politics Edexcel A-Level Essay Plans
2
- Constitutional Basis (Codified vs. Uncodified): Congress is limited by a
codified Constitution and Article I, which grants only "enumerated powers."
Any action beyond this can be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme
Court (Judicial Review). In contrast, the UK Parliament operates under
Parliamentary Sovereignty. It cannot be legally bound by a predecessor or
bind a successor, meaning its limits are more political (public opinion,
international law) than strictly legal.
- The Executive-Legislative Relationship: The US features a Separation of
Powers. The President can veto legislation, and the "checks and balances"
system ensures Congress is often limited by a rival branch. In the UK, there
is a fusion of powers. The government usually commands a majority in the
Commons, meaning Parliament is often less a "limit" on the government and
more a tool for it (Executive Dominance), though it is limited by the threat
of a "vote of no confidence."
- Bicameralism: Congress is limited by a co-equal second chamber (the
Senate), which can block any legislation. The UK Parliament is
characterized by asymmetric bicameralism. The House of Lords is limited
by the Parliament Acts (1911/1949) and the Salisbury Convention, meaning
it can only delay, not block, the will of the elected Commons.
Examine the ways in which the US and the UK Constitutions are similar
- Protection of Rights: Both constitutions provide frameworks for civil
liberties. The US does this via the Bill of Rights (entrenched), while the UK
utilizes the Human Rights Act (1998). Although the HRA is not entrenched,
both systems allow the judiciary to protect individuals from executive
overreach.
- Independent Judiciaries: Both systems rely on an independent judicial
branch to interpret the law. The US Supreme Court and the UK Supreme
Court (established 2009) both act as "umpires" of the constitutional
arrangement, ensuring that the government acts within the law through
Judicial Review.
- Evolutionary Nature: While the US Constitution is codified, it changes
through interpretive evolution (Supreme Court rulings) and infrequent
