Pearson Edexcel GCE In Politics (9PL0) Paper 1 : UK Politics and Core Political Ideas

Pearson Edexcel GCE In Politics (9PL0) Paper 1 : UK Politics and Core Political Ideas Own knowledge not in the source which may be considered as AO1 include: For the premise: • Age is more important than educational background • Age is more important than gender as an indicator of how people will vote • Age also ties in with issues if we compare the vote to leave or remain in the EU Against the premise: • Issues are more important in deciding how people will vote • The charisma of a leader may (or may not) be more important than other factors • Events make more difference than anything in how people will vote NO AO2 is rewarded if linked to new material from Own Knowledge No AO3 is rewarded if linked to new material from own Knowledge Level Mark Descriptor 0 No rewardable material. Level 1 1–6 • Demonstrates superficial knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues, with limited underpinning of analysis and evaluation (AO1). • Limited comparative analysis of political information with partial, logical chains of reasoning, referring to similarities and/or differences within political information, which make simplistic connections between ideas and concepts (AO2). • Makes superficial evaluation of political information, constructing simple arguments and judgements, many of which are descriptive and lead to limited unsubstantiated conclusions (AO3). Level 2 7–12 • Demonstrates some accurate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues, some of which are selected appropriately in order to underpin analysis and evaluation (AO1). • Some emerging comparative analysis of political information with some focused, logical chains of reasoning, referring to similarities and/or differences within political information, which make some relevant connections between ideas and concepts (AO2). • Constructs some relevant evaluation of political information, constructing occasionally effective arguments and judgements, some are partially substantiated and lead to generic conclusions without much justification (AO3). Level 3 13–18 • Demonstrates mostly accurate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues, many of which are selected appropriately in order to underpin analysis and evaluation (AO1). • Mostly focused comparative analysis of political information with focused, logical chains of reasoning, drawing on similarities and/or differences within political information, which make mostly relevant connections between ideas and concepts (AO2). • Constructs generally relevant evaluation of political information, constructing generally effective arguments and judgements, many of which are substantiated and lead to some focused conclusions that are sometimes justified (AO3). Level 4 19–24 • Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues, which are carefully selected in order to underpin analysis and evaluation (AO1). • Consistent comparative analysis of political information, with coherent, logical chains of reasoning, drawing on similarities and differences within political information, which make relevant connections between ideas and concepts (AO2). • Constructs mostly relevant evaluation of political information, constructing mostly effective arguments and judgements, which are mostly substantiated and lead to mostly focused and justified conclusions (AO3). Level 5 25–30 • Demonstrates thorough and in-depth knowledge and understanding of political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues, which are effectively selected in order to underpin analysis and evaluation (AO1). • Perceptive comparative analysis of political information, with sustained, logical chains of reasoning, drawing on similarities and differences within political information, which make cohesive and convincing connections between ideas and concepts (AO2). • Constructs fully relevant evaluation of political information, constructing fully effective arguments and judgements, which are consistently substantiated and lead to fully focused and justified conclusions (AO3). Question number AO1 10 Marks AO2 10 Marks AO3 10 Marks 1(b) Candidates may demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding (AO1) supporting the view that state funding should be introduced Agreement • The source shows big differences between the income of the top two parties and the rest. State funding would provide a base of fairness in a open market forum • The current system lacks transparency, as the source says that details of donations arising after the election has taken place • As the source argues, the increase to taxes would only be very slight for state funding to be established Candidates may refer to the following analytical points supporting the view (AO2) Agreement • This would fund parties on a more equal basis and encourage politicians to concentrate on their voters not donors. The SNP who contest only 10% of the seats have a disproportionate income stream. • Private donations may mean that certain sectors of society or rich individuals can have a disproportionate influence on the elections, which is largely hidden from the electorate. • The UK could afford this amount to ensure corruption is avoided Candidates may refer to the following evaluative (AO3) points supporting the view Agreement • We can conclude that state funding is preferable to some parties doing better because they can raise more money • The view that political parties can be bought distorts and undermines the democratic process • We can reach the verdict that establishing a fair democracy is a price well worth paying Candidates may demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding (AO1) rejecting the view that state funding of political parties should not be introduced Disagreement Candidates may refer to the following analytical points (AO2) rejecting the view Disagreement • The two main parties are funded in proportion to their popularity in the polls. Candidates may refer to the following evaluative points (AO3) rejecting the view Disagreement