Core Ideologies Essay Questions
HOW TO ANSWER 24 MARKS IDEOLOGIES QUESTIONS:
● AO1 – Understanding and use of political terminology. (Knowledge)
● AO2 – Explanation and development – analysis based on comparison (strands of thought and thinkers) around a theme.
● AO3 – Judgement and evaluation
○ Should run throughout the essay and be convincing.
○ Due to the question stem, the judgement (AO3) required is not simply on whether there are similarities or differences, but
whether there are more similarities than differences (or vice versa).
○ For ideas questions, students need to evaluate whether the similarities were greater than the differences within the named
ideology over the issue raised.
* All 3 AOs are weighted equally and worth 8 marks.
TOP TIPS:
★ 24 marks – 33 minutes
★ Examining divisions within an ideology on human nature, society, state or economy OR divisions within an ideologies based on its
core principles OR general divisions within an ideology i.e strands of thought
★ Question stem – “To what extent…”
★ Use at least 3 key thinkers – use them to compare and contrast
★ Use strands of thought within an ideology i.e traditional conservatism or revolutionary socialism
STRUCTURE:
Introduction
● Define any key terms
● Briefly set out the 2 sides of the debate
● Give an overall judgement — DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE… do they mostly agree or mostly disagree
Main body paragraphs
● Point: Outline main point, whether there is agreement or disagreement on the issue posed in the question.
, ● Evidence: Details of a key thinker’s ideas and how this reflects the view of a strand of the ideology in relation to the question.
● Further evidence OR counter evidence: Details of second strand and possibly how this reflects the view of a second key thinker.
● Analysis: Degree to which the strands/key thinkers agree or disagree on this theme in relation to the question.
● Mini Judgement: Link back to question and your overall judgement.
Conclusion
● Summary of your points.
● Final explanation on the view you’ve been supporting throughout your essay.
○ Don’t argue something different from your introduction and essay.
HOW TO GET TOP MARKS IN AO1:
● Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues.
● The key is having lots of good examples and explaining, not just using political terms and concepts.
● Understanding is a key part of AO1 – define/explain political terms when you use them.
● The more specific and well-selected examples you have the higher your AO1 mark will be.
● Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and ideas of key thinkers.
HOW TO GET TOP MARKS IN AO2:
● Analyse aspects of politics and political information, including in relation to parallels, connections, similarities and differences.
● AO2 is about your ability to compare points to counter-points, one type of an ideology with another…
● Analysis – scrutiny and probing
● Candidates should form analytical views which support and reject the view presented by the question.
○ They should look at different perspectives that arise from the view presented by the question and show how these lay the
foundations for a judgement.
● Compare different factions within an ideology and clearly explain how they are similar or different.
HOW TO GET TOP MARKS IN AO3:
● Evaluate aspects of politics and political information, including to construct arguments, make substantiated judgements and draw
conclusions.
● It’s essential you run an argument through your whole essay going from the introduction through to your conclusion.
● Make sure there is some nuance to your argument/judgement.
, ● Introduction – define the key terms in the question, set out the argument (the points and counterpoints you are going to look at)
● Mini conclusions – each paragraph should have a mini conclusion.
● Which side of the debate wins?
● Why does it win?
● Rank in importance the analytical points (AO2) for
● Rank in importance the analytical points (AO2) against
● Think holistically and reason through the conclusion.
● Form and come to a judgement, based on evidence not a mere opinion.
● Discuss possible alternative constructive comments on reform/change to the issue/debate. What is the likelihood of such change, and
would it be effective/successful?
EVALUATING KEY AREAS:
1. Human nature
● Is there a pattern when looking at human nature?
● Are people born good and corrupted by events, or are they born tarnished and incomplete?
● Is selfishness innate or learnt?
● What approaches bring out the best in human nature?
● What should be done to guard against the challenges of human nature?
● What do key thinkers’ views say about human nature?
2. The state
● What do we mean by the state?
● Is the state to be feared and thus restricted?
● Or is the state to be welcomed and its role encouraged?
● Is the state thus an enemy or a friend?
● Is the state neutral or biased?
● How and why is there dispute about the role of the state?
● Would there be an issue without a state?
3. Society
HOW TO ANSWER 24 MARKS IDEOLOGIES QUESTIONS:
● AO1 – Understanding and use of political terminology. (Knowledge)
● AO2 – Explanation and development – analysis based on comparison (strands of thought and thinkers) around a theme.
● AO3 – Judgement and evaluation
○ Should run throughout the essay and be convincing.
○ Due to the question stem, the judgement (AO3) required is not simply on whether there are similarities or differences, but
whether there are more similarities than differences (or vice versa).
○ For ideas questions, students need to evaluate whether the similarities were greater than the differences within the named
ideology over the issue raised.
* All 3 AOs are weighted equally and worth 8 marks.
TOP TIPS:
★ 24 marks – 33 minutes
★ Examining divisions within an ideology on human nature, society, state or economy OR divisions within an ideologies based on its
core principles OR general divisions within an ideology i.e strands of thought
★ Question stem – “To what extent…”
★ Use at least 3 key thinkers – use them to compare and contrast
★ Use strands of thought within an ideology i.e traditional conservatism or revolutionary socialism
STRUCTURE:
Introduction
● Define any key terms
● Briefly set out the 2 sides of the debate
● Give an overall judgement — DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE… do they mostly agree or mostly disagree
Main body paragraphs
● Point: Outline main point, whether there is agreement or disagreement on the issue posed in the question.
, ● Evidence: Details of a key thinker’s ideas and how this reflects the view of a strand of the ideology in relation to the question.
● Further evidence OR counter evidence: Details of second strand and possibly how this reflects the view of a second key thinker.
● Analysis: Degree to which the strands/key thinkers agree or disagree on this theme in relation to the question.
● Mini Judgement: Link back to question and your overall judgement.
Conclusion
● Summary of your points.
● Final explanation on the view you’ve been supporting throughout your essay.
○ Don’t argue something different from your introduction and essay.
HOW TO GET TOP MARKS IN AO1:
● Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues.
● The key is having lots of good examples and explaining, not just using political terms and concepts.
● Understanding is a key part of AO1 – define/explain political terms when you use them.
● The more specific and well-selected examples you have the higher your AO1 mark will be.
● Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and ideas of key thinkers.
HOW TO GET TOP MARKS IN AO2:
● Analyse aspects of politics and political information, including in relation to parallels, connections, similarities and differences.
● AO2 is about your ability to compare points to counter-points, one type of an ideology with another…
● Analysis – scrutiny and probing
● Candidates should form analytical views which support and reject the view presented by the question.
○ They should look at different perspectives that arise from the view presented by the question and show how these lay the
foundations for a judgement.
● Compare different factions within an ideology and clearly explain how they are similar or different.
HOW TO GET TOP MARKS IN AO3:
● Evaluate aspects of politics and political information, including to construct arguments, make substantiated judgements and draw
conclusions.
● It’s essential you run an argument through your whole essay going from the introduction through to your conclusion.
● Make sure there is some nuance to your argument/judgement.
, ● Introduction – define the key terms in the question, set out the argument (the points and counterpoints you are going to look at)
● Mini conclusions – each paragraph should have a mini conclusion.
● Which side of the debate wins?
● Why does it win?
● Rank in importance the analytical points (AO2) for
● Rank in importance the analytical points (AO2) against
● Think holistically and reason through the conclusion.
● Form and come to a judgement, based on evidence not a mere opinion.
● Discuss possible alternative constructive comments on reform/change to the issue/debate. What is the likelihood of such change, and
would it be effective/successful?
EVALUATING KEY AREAS:
1. Human nature
● Is there a pattern when looking at human nature?
● Are people born good and corrupted by events, or are they born tarnished and incomplete?
● Is selfishness innate or learnt?
● What approaches bring out the best in human nature?
● What should be done to guard against the challenges of human nature?
● What do key thinkers’ views say about human nature?
2. The state
● What do we mean by the state?
● Is the state to be feared and thus restricted?
● Or is the state to be welcomed and its role encouraged?
● Is the state thus an enemy or a friend?
● Is the state neutral or biased?
● How and why is there dispute about the role of the state?
● Would there be an issue without a state?
3. Society
