Q1 : examine the ways in which the UK and US constitution are similar (12)
- Explore 3 to 4 points of comparison (One paragraph per comparison)
- Add detailed evidence from both US politics and US politics.
- No introduction or conclusion needed
One way in which they are similar….
The UK DOES …
THE US DOES ….
This is similar because X3
Q2: Analyse the difficulties of amending the constitutions of the USA AND UK
- Must use COMPARATIVE THEORY to explain it
- No introduction or conclusion needed
- 3 paragraphs needed
- IN EVERY PARAGRAPH YOU HAVE TO REFER TO ONE THEORY
● Rational theory- focuses on individuals as the key to explaining behaviour and
outcomes in the system
●
● Cultural theory- focuses on groups as responding with political actions based
on shared belief, because people act on expectations
● Structural theory- focuses on structure as the key to explaining outcomes as
determined by the institutions and processes in political systems.
Structure
1. Point
2. Evidence
3. Theory
Focuses on… Political meaning Who is focused on?
Rational INDIVIDUALS as the -Belief that individuals will evaluate ● The President
key to explaining the choices they have rationally ● Senators
behaviour and chosen based on the best outcome ● Congressmen &
outcomes in the for them personally ● Congresswomen
system ● Prime Minister
- Explains that when circumstances ● Lords
change, individuals are selfish and ● MPs
will respond in a self-interested
manner to find the best outcome for
them.
, Cultural GROUPS as -Focuses on cultural norms and ● Pressure groups
responding with expectations as the key to ● Political parties
political actions based explaining behaviour and outcomes ● Factions
on shared belief, in a system ● Voter groups
because people act on
expectations -Belief that cultural norms have the
power to influence both the
individual and the system
-Explains that some actions are
due to cultural expectations
-Covers ideas beliefs values and
identities within a system
Structur STRUCTURE as -Belief that an individual’s position ● Regional Power
al the key to explaining within the structure may affect their ● Legislative
outcomes as action. Processes
determined by the ● Election Processes
institutions and -Explains that individuals have ● Constitution
processes in limited or no control over these ● Sovereign bodies
political systems processes. (Parliament &
● Congress)
● Other political
processes &
● Institutions
6.2.1 Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US Constitutions
and the resulting impact on politics and government: • their nature
(codified/uncodified) and their sources, provisions and principles, including
separation of powers, checks and balances • the similarities and differences
between the US federal system and the UK system of devolution.
6.2.2 The extent to which rational, cultural and structural approaches can be used to
account for these similarities and differences
6.2.3 Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US legislative
branches and their resulting impact on politics and government: • powers,
strengths and weaknesses of each of the Houses • the extent to which each of
the Houses are equal.
6.2.4 The extent to which rational, cultural and structural approaches can be used to
account for these similarities and differences
6.2.5 Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US executive
branches and their resulting impact on politics and government: • key similarities
and differences between the role and powers of the US President and the UK
- Explore 3 to 4 points of comparison (One paragraph per comparison)
- Add detailed evidence from both US politics and US politics.
- No introduction or conclusion needed
One way in which they are similar….
The UK DOES …
THE US DOES ….
This is similar because X3
Q2: Analyse the difficulties of amending the constitutions of the USA AND UK
- Must use COMPARATIVE THEORY to explain it
- No introduction or conclusion needed
- 3 paragraphs needed
- IN EVERY PARAGRAPH YOU HAVE TO REFER TO ONE THEORY
● Rational theory- focuses on individuals as the key to explaining behaviour and
outcomes in the system
●
● Cultural theory- focuses on groups as responding with political actions based
on shared belief, because people act on expectations
● Structural theory- focuses on structure as the key to explaining outcomes as
determined by the institutions and processes in political systems.
Structure
1. Point
2. Evidence
3. Theory
Focuses on… Political meaning Who is focused on?
Rational INDIVIDUALS as the -Belief that individuals will evaluate ● The President
key to explaining the choices they have rationally ● Senators
behaviour and chosen based on the best outcome ● Congressmen &
outcomes in the for them personally ● Congresswomen
system ● Prime Minister
- Explains that when circumstances ● Lords
change, individuals are selfish and ● MPs
will respond in a self-interested
manner to find the best outcome for
them.
, Cultural GROUPS as -Focuses on cultural norms and ● Pressure groups
responding with expectations as the key to ● Political parties
political actions based explaining behaviour and outcomes ● Factions
on shared belief, in a system ● Voter groups
because people act on
expectations -Belief that cultural norms have the
power to influence both the
individual and the system
-Explains that some actions are
due to cultural expectations
-Covers ideas beliefs values and
identities within a system
Structur STRUCTURE as -Belief that an individual’s position ● Regional Power
al the key to explaining within the structure may affect their ● Legislative
outcomes as action. Processes
determined by the ● Election Processes
institutions and -Explains that individuals have ● Constitution
processes in limited or no control over these ● Sovereign bodies
political systems processes. (Parliament &
● Congress)
● Other political
processes &
● Institutions
6.2.1 Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US Constitutions
and the resulting impact on politics and government: • their nature
(codified/uncodified) and their sources, provisions and principles, including
separation of powers, checks and balances • the similarities and differences
between the US federal system and the UK system of devolution.
6.2.2 The extent to which rational, cultural and structural approaches can be used to
account for these similarities and differences
6.2.3 Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US legislative
branches and their resulting impact on politics and government: • powers,
strengths and weaknesses of each of the Houses • the extent to which each of
the Houses are equal.
6.2.4 The extent to which rational, cultural and structural approaches can be used to
account for these similarities and differences
6.2.5 Compare and debate the following aspects of the UK and US executive
branches and their resulting impact on politics and government: • key similarities
and differences between the role and powers of the US President and the UK
