1. A2 Politics
Unit 3: UK Political Issues
Revision Guide
2011/2012
www.alevelpolitics.com
Woodhouse College Department of Politics
Mrs J Grice
jgrice@woodhouse.ac.uk
Mr J Patel
jpatel@woodhouse.ac.uk
Consult Woodle for past papers and mark-schemes
Twitter: @Patelshop
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2. Overview
Unit 3: Topic A, UK Political Issues
Unit 3, Topic A is designed to be a general review of the main areas of public policy,
largely since 1979. Some knowledge of policy making before 1979 may be studied as
deeper background but detailed knowledge before 1979 is certainly not required. In
general, pre-1979 knowledge is likely to be useful when demonstrating basic
principles (such as of the welfare state or of Keynesian economic management) or
when illustrating the principal ways in which modern policies have developed.
More detailed knowledge of issues and policy is required for the post-1997 era, ie
when New Labour came to power, though in some cases earlier landmark events may
be significant, such as the Education Reform Act of 1988, the Criminal Justice and
Public Order Act of 1994, or the change in the index linking of the old age pension and
the ‘right to buy’ policy in housing in the early 1980s. The various events and the level
of detail which these issues should be studied is indicated in the clarification of
content below. This is not a current affairs course, although it will be expected that
students are as up to date as possible with developments in policy making and issues.
Where important developments have occurred between production of the examination
and students sitting it, it is expected that students will modify responses accordingly.
Students will be expected to have appropriate knowledge from throughout the recent
historical period.
Questions will be based largely upon the following main themes.
• Explanations and analysis of some issues which have caused political controversy.
Such controversies might concern inter-party conflict or ideological differences. This
will include the reasons why controversies have arisen as well as the nature of those
controversies.
• Assessments of the degree to which there has been and/or is political consensus or
conflict over certain issues.
• Evaluations of the degree to which parties and/or governments have achieved their
stated objectives in a specific policy area.
• The degree to which the principles underpinning political issues have changed and
been challenged in recent times.
• The nature of the political landscape and context within which policies have been
developed and issues have been resolved.
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3. Assessment
Structure of the unit 3 & 4 examinations:
• Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Answer three short-answer questions from a
choice of five
• Answer one essay question from a choice of
three
• Short answer questions are marked out of 15 (15
minutes each)
• Essay questions are marked out of 45 (45
minutes)
• Total marks for paper = 90 marks.
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4. Unit 3 Specific Content
Economic Policy
Key themes:
•
Monetary and Fiscal policy, and how they impact on
economic policy-making.
•
How and why governments use micro and macroeconomic policy.
•
The factors that determine government’s economic
policies, including party ideology, globalisation,
political & economic climate etc and their relative
importance.
•
Governments and economic policy in practice: although the Thatcher and Major
eras are useful to demonstrate the ways in which economic policy has been
formed by comparatively recent governments, no specific questions will be
asked on these historical eras. The Labour era is a good starting point for how
economic policy is formed and how it can be determined by party ideology,
particularly with the ‘Third Way’ approach to the economy.
•
The economic recession: its causes, consequences and the political and
economic divisions it has caused both within and between parties. This should
include the debate over the extent to which the recession was caused/could
have been prevented by the Labour government, and the extent to which the
major parties disagree on how to tackle the subsequent economic problems
facing the UK.
•
Political party stances on the economy: changing ideologies and policies and the
factors that have caused changes - this includes knowing specific and, where
possible, recent party or government proposals and policies.
•
The impact of such party policies in key areas of the economy such as economic
growth, inflation, taxation, employment, distribution of income, the free
market, the financial sector (including the banking system) etc.
•
Theories of economic policy and how these impact on party/government
economic policy- making, including: the ‘Third Way’, monetarism,
Keynesianism, supply-side economics, neo-liberalism and globalisation.
Key Debates:
•
Who controls economic policy-making in the UK?
•
How far are the main UK political parties divided over economic policy?
•
Have governments’ economic policies been successful?
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5. Key policies:
•
Labour: Awareness of Labour’s model of spending restraint based upon lower
taxation (as opposed to Old Labour’s ‘Tax and Spend’, Brown’s ‘prudent’
approach to fiscal management. Over-reliance on financial sector. The 2008
bank bailouts and response to the economic crisis. Handling of recession, 50p
tax, limits of Keynesian approach. Intention to cut pubic spending in 2010.
•
Coalition government: Fixated on balancing the budget and saving the ‘AAA’
status. Critique of Labour’s approach to ‘reckless’ spending. Approach based on
rebalancing and restructuring economy in theory but in practice? Awareness of
the key points of the 2010 and 2011 budget. The problem of stagnant growth.
Project Merlin, bankers bonuses and quantitative easing.
Possible Economics Questions:
How similar are Labour and Conservative tax policies? (15)
Why has the issue of pensions become a major political issue? (15)
Explain how governments since 1997 have used tax and welfare policies to relieve
poverty. (15)
Why have governments made limited progress in reforming the banking system and
how it operates? (15)
What are the main differences on Economic policy between the Coalition and the
opposition? (15)
What are the challenges facing the government to create ‘growth.’ (15)
‘The Labour government’s response to the economic crisis of 2008 was reckless and
irresponsible.’ Discuss. (45)
How ‘successful’ has UK economic policy been since 1997? (45)
How ‘successful’ has coalition economic policy been since 2010? (45)
‘The Coalition’s response to the economy has led to deeper economic stagnation.’
Discuss. (45)
‘The Coalition’s economic policies are driven more by ideology than practicality.’
Discuss. (45)
‘The coalition government’s deficit reduction programme goes too far, too fast.’
Discuss. (45)
‘There is more rhetoric than substance in the disagreements between the major UK
parties over the budget deficit.’ Discuss. (45)
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6. Environmental Policy
Key Themes:
•As a comparatively new political issue, an
historical background on why the environment
has become a political issue is necessary for this
topic - there will not, however, be a specific
question on this area.
•The main areas on this topic include: climate
change, pollution, renewable energy (including
solar, wind and tidal power), resource depletion
and sustainability, transport, food planning, rural affairs, global agreements, the
issue of ‘green’ taxes. Recent issues that have arisen include the nuclear energy
debate, the proposed Green Investment Bank and the high- speed rail network.
•
Unlike previous topics, an overview of the Thatcher and Major eras are essential
here for understanding the change in party ideologies and stances on certain
issues. The main bulk of study, however, should still focus on post-1997
governments and party policies.
•
The Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party traditional and current
approaches to environmental issues, including why and how attitudes may have
changed over time (particularly the Conservative Party); specific
policies, their aims, consequences and the extent of their perceived success/
failure. This should include opposition party attitudes towards government
policies, and any alternative proposals that have been made.
•
The coalition government’s approach to the environment; specific proposals/
policies, their aims and criticisms of the proposals/reforms. This should include
the parties pre-coalition stances, and current divisions both within and between
the governing and opposition parties in terms of their attitudes towards the
environment, and any policies that have been made/proposed.
•
Divisions within and between the major political parties and also the green
movement (including light/dark Greens and pressure groups) on environmental
issues.
•
The impact of globalisation on environmental policy-making in the UK, with
specific reference to the impact of international agreements and treaties. The
impact of EU membership is of particular significance to this topic. There will
not be specific questions set on devolution and/or local government but
awareness of it is good.
Key Debates:
• How far are the main UK political parties divided over environmental policy?
• Do UK political parties treat the issue of the environment as seriously as more
‘traditional’ political issues such as the economy?
• What factors impact on environmental policy-making?
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7. • How successful have government policies been in tackling environmental issues?
Key Policies:
Coalition: Rural planning reforms, allowing default access to planners in rural areas.
Green Investment Bank (will only be allowed to borrow from 2015). Gagging the
Environment Agency from commenting on policies. 80 Mph speed limit proposal.
Forest sell-off (abandoned after public outrage). Clegg "Our party is the green party
of government." Ending of subsidies for solar power (feed-in tariffs). Entertaining idea
of building homes on fields and ignoring environmental advice. Climate change policy
- meeting the Climate Change Act of Brown (80% target by 2050 - 34% by 2020).
Osbornes hostility to “piling costs on the energy bills of households and companies” and impact on growth.
Possible Environment Questions:
Why has the expansion of wind power been politically controversial? (15)
To what extent has the Conservative Party become a ‘green’ party? (15)
Why are ‘environmental taxes’ controversial? (15)
How realistic is it for the government to meet it’s carbon reduction targets? (15)
To what extent has the ‘green’ movement shaped public debate and policies on the
environment? (45)
‘The coalition government has reneged on it’s green policies.’ Discuss (45)
To what extent have the environmental policies of recent governments been ‘all talk
and no action’? (45)
‘The UK government has failed to meet the challenge of climate change.’ Discuss. (45)
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8. Law, Order and Criminal Justice
Key themes:
•
The main areas in this topic include: punishment/
deterrence versus rehabilitation, the prison and
probation system, criminal law and sentencing, policing,
youth crime, public order, anti-terrorism, public security
versus civil liberties, the causes of crime and the use of
crime statistics.
•
Unlike previous topics, an overview of the Thatcher and
Major eras are essential here for understanding the
change in party ideologies and stances on certain
issues. The main bulk of study, however, should still
focus on post-1997 governments and party policies.
•
The change in the Labour and Conservative Party traditional approaches to law
and order under Blair and Cameron respectively; specific policies, their aims,
consequences and the extent of their perceived success/failure. This should
include opposition party attitudes towards policies, and any alternative proposals
that have been made.
•
The Liberal Democrat Party approach to law and order, and specific policies
proposed.
•
The coalition government’s approach to law and order; specific proposals/policies
such as the DNA database, ID cards, prison sentencing and directly elected police
commissioners; the aims and criticisms of the proposals/reforms. This should
include the pre-coalition and current divisions both within and between the
governing and opposition parties in terms of their attitudes towards policies
made/proposed, and any alternative proposals that have been made.
Key Debates:
•How far are the main UK political parties divided over law and order policy?
•How successful have governments been at tackling law and order issues?
•Are law and order policies increasingly encroaching on civil liberties?
Key Policies:
• Coalition: Freedom Bill, Green Paper on ‘secret courts’, Legal aid changes, scraping
DNA database, reversal of 28 days, restrictions on CCTV, the HRA and a Bill of Rights
commission, policing reforms, sentencing reforms, community sentences,
rehabilitation and repeat offenders. Response to riots. Consider how economic policies
impacts on crime. Stop and search powers new guidance.
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9. Possible Law and Order Questions:
Explain the arguments for and against the wider use of custodial sentences and longer
prison terms. (15)
Why has the prison population risen so much in recent years? (15)
Why have anti-terrorism measures, adopted in the UK since 2001, been criticised?
(15)
Why has the use of crime statistics been politically controversial? (15)
Explain how the ‘Freedom bill’ seeks to reverse the erosion of civil liberties? (15)
How have Ken Clarke’s Legal Aid reforms affected access to justice? (15)
‘Prison doesn’t work!’ Discuss. (45)
‘The Coalition Government has reversed the “authoritarian state.”’ Discuss. (45)
‘Since 1997, there has been a growing consensus on law and order policy across the
political spectrum.’ Discuss. (45)
‘Since 1997 government law and order policies have been more about appeasing the
‘baying mob’ than common sense.’ Discuss (45)
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10. Social Welfare, Health and Education
Key themes:
•The founding principles of the Welfare State, and to
what extent reforms or proposed reforms of the
component arms of the Welfare State have eroded
these principles.
•Traditional political party perspectives on the
component arms of the Welfare State, and how and to
what extent these perspectives have changed.
•
The scale of conflict and consensus amongst the main political parties on the
issue of the Welfare State - this includes a working knowledge of specific
policies and proposals.
•
The reasons why reform is sought in all areas, and the extent to which it is
considered necessary by both political parties, pressure groups and other
organisations/groups involved in the Welfare State.
•
The issue of spending versus quality: is the Welfare State offering value for
money?
•
The extent to which privatisation of the Welfare State is a controversial political
issue.
•
The Labour era - the Thatcher and Major eras are useful for comparison in
terms of how party ideology has changed, the main focus on a Key Issues paper
should be on comparatively recently issues.
Education
•
What governments have done to reform education at all levels: the motivation
behind such reforms, the reforms themselves and the comparative success of
such reforms. This should include opposition party attitudes towards the
reforms, and any alternative proposals that have been made. This should
include the tuition fees debate, the reform of the EMA system, the academies
system and the recent ‘free schools’ initiative.
Health
•
What governments have done to reform the health system: the motivation
behind such reforms, the reforms themselves and the comparative success of
such reforms. This should include opposition party attitudes towards the
reforms, and any alternative proposals that have been made. This should
include an examination of the coalition’s proposed reforms, the reaction to
these proposals and the subsequent proposed amendments.
Social Security
•
What governments have done to reform social security: the motivation behind
such reforms, the reforms themselves and the comparative success
of such reforms. This should include opposition party attitudes towards the
reforms, and any alternative proposals that have been made.
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11. •
Social security includes pensions, the benefit system and housing (although no
specific question will be set on housing). Studies should include the coalition’s
proposals for reforming retirement pensions, the Universal Credit system, and
reforms to housing benefit.
Key Debates:
• How far are the main UK political parties divided over welfare policy/the Welfare
State?
• Has the Welfare State been privatised?
• Does the Welfare State offer ‘value for money’, or is it a case of spending versus
quality?
• How far have the original principles of the Welfare State been eroded?
Key Policies:
Coalition: Social security reform including the universal credit system. Academies
Act. Free Schools. Expansion of Grammar Schools. Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Welfare Reform Act 2012. The Welfare Budget. The ‘welfare to work’ schemes and
controversies over ‘free labour’. The use of private funding in public services. Higher
education tuition fees.
Possible Welfare State Questions:
Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of increasing the numbers of students in
higher education. (15)
Outline and analyse the arguments advanced for the reform the Welfare state. (15).
How have Gove’s education reforms been criticised? (15)
‘Despite substantial increases in public expenditure since 1999, the quality of state
health and education provision has declined.’ Discuss. (45)
‘The Welfare Reform Bill will lead to a return to high level child poverty.’ Discuss (45)
‘The Coalition Government’s Health and Social Care Bill will improve the delivery of
health care for all.’ Discuss. (45)
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12. Exam Tips
The 15 mark question
•An introduction is not always necessary - may be
useful when tackling a question that has 2 parts to
it so to show you understand the demands of the
question.
• Each new point should have a new paragraph
• Look carefully at the question. It may have 2
parts to it. If so address both parts, e.g. Outline the
provisions of the Health and Social Care Bill and
why has it been criticised?’
•Short answer questions should have at least 3 points of substance (so 3
paragraphs).
• Contemporary examples are essential to lift it to level 3 (11 - 15 marks).
Examples can be actual policies or current figures.
• Level 3 answers should contain some evaluation of each point not just a
description.
•In summary 3 paragraphs each with point, explanation, contemporary
example/stat and some evaluation of the point.
The 45 mark question
• Should have a strong introduction that establishes your understanding of the
question. Ideally set out the argument (give your view to the question). Clarify key
terms laid out in the question. Outline the key issues raised by the question.
• Contemporary evidence/examples will always be rewarded.
•Numbers of paragraphs/points are not prescriptive, examiners want to know you
have engaged with the demands of the question. In 45 minutes you are expected to
have at least 5 points altogether well argued. But this is not a magic number!
• You have to have a balanced argument. You can do this by either outlining one
side and the the other (there may be 3 perspectives) or by doing it within your
points.
• It is important to address political party viewpoints. So a critique should be
ascribed to a party or a political viewpoint e.g. traditional conservatives or
traditional labour etc.
• Arguments: You can argue by looking at two sides and then concluding with your
view. A more sophisticated way is to argue from the beginning a point and use
counter arguments. Also known as a ‘sustained argument’.
•Try to outline similarities and differences between policies, show overlaps
between parties, address ‘apparent’ rather than ‘real’ differences where applicable.
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13. • Show alternative viewpoints or ideological concepts or foundations. E.g. ‘this
accords with the radical Thatcherite economic theory...’
• Conclusion should give your view. Don’t summarise the essay, give your view to
the question and how you came to the view (i.e. the strength of this view).
Contemporary Examples
Have to watch/listen to the following for current perspectives:
The Today Programme (specifically 7:50 to 8:25 am), PM (weekdays 5pm), The
Westminster Hour (Sun 10pm), The Week in Westminster (Sat 11am) these are
all on Radio 4 93.5 FM). Also Newsnight (weekdays 1035 BBC2), Andrew Marr
Show (Sun 9am) and Politics Show (Sun 12pm).
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