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GCSE: Politics

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  • Peer Reviewed essays 6
  1. Peer reviewed

    'First-past-the-post should be replaced as a method of electing political representatives.' Discuss.

    5 star(s)

    Some of the advantages of using FPTP as a method of electing political representatives are; there is very little chance of drastic parties being elected to Parliament under FPTP because they are unlikely to gain enough votes in any one constituency. Generally the results of elections using FPTP can be calculated quickly. When necessary, this makes the transfer of power from one party to another much easier. The 1997 and 2001 elections were clear evidence of this. It gives rise to a consistent parliamentary opposition.

    • Word count: 1457
  2. Peer reviewed

    Evaluate the case for using Referenda to decide important issues in the UK

    4 star(s)

    The second type of democracy is 'representative democracy'. Representative democracy is indirect government by the people through representatives elected by the people. In the UK there are 658 constituencies each having their own representatives. People within those constituencies vote for both general and bi elections and depending on which party won in the constituency an MP for a party will go through. Referenda falls under the category of 'direct democracy'. There are many advantages of holding a referendum; one of these is that referendums seek the opinion of the public of whom the matters will affect. This means that the public will have a fair representation on matters.

    • Word count: 1061
  3. Peer reviewed

    Describe the process by which MPs are elected to Westminster. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the First past the Post system? The Parliament in UK

    4 star(s)

    In a national election those who wish to fight an election must register to do so. When the election takes place, for example in a by-election for a constituency MP, the person who gains the most votes within that constituency wins the seat. Sometimes however if the votes are tight the opposing candidates may ask for a recount. FPTP is known for being a cheap, simple and fast form of an electorate system. The voter simply needs to make one choice on the ballot papers which are usually counted within the next 12 hours.

    • Word count: 871
  4. Peer reviewed

    To what extent has New Labour abandoned traditional Labour values?

    4 star(s)

    There were however, significant constraints on the way to achieving drastic changes. An attempt to modernise the Party was in need to change policies which were formulated based on values which the party was actually based and founded upon. The changes that were proposed by Tony Blair and those who shared his views were in clear contrast with the Socialist ideology on which the Labour Party had originated from. The proposed changes also sought to prevent the Trade Unions- another main source of the Party's origins- from having any further influence in the Labour Party.

    • Word count: 927
  5. Peer reviewed

    Evaluate the case for using referenda to decide important issues in the UK

    3 star(s)

    Referendums should give a clear answer to a question however there are often problems with this. Referendums are also the most direct form of democracy as the people's views are clearly represented and help to make political decisions more legitimate. This leads to a better chance of the people accepting the decision if they feel that they have had a direct input in the decision making. Referendums could also prevent governments from enacting unpopular decisions if they receive a 'no' vote, such as in the 2004 referendum for regional governments in North-East England.

    • Word count: 1173
  6. Peer reviewed

    What have been the effects of the use of proportional electoral systems in the UK?

    3 star(s)

    If a majoritarian or first past the post system was implemented in Northern Ireland, this would result in only a catholic or protestant MP being elected per constituency, which would cause obvious community ruptures. This would also influence the party selected to run the country. For example, it was calculated that if the first past the post system was implemented in Northern Ireland the protestant associated Unionist party would gain a majority and thus form government. Also, the system is more proportional than the first past the post system since all votes are largely of equal value.

    • Word count: 1070
6 essays
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Politics GCSE

Politics GCSE deals with how the decisions of politicians affects our daily lives and how we organise our democracy in the UK. It looks at how the world of politics is arranged and how laws are created, how elections are carried out and how protest groups can make their voices heard.

You will gain a valuable insight into the political world and gain a wealth of knowledge that will allow you to really understand current affairs. You will need the ability to analyse, argue and discuss in your essay work and Marked by Teachers has a wide range of essay examples, over 1300 of them, which will help you build the key skills you'll need to write strong answers in your Politics examinations.

Controversy and intrigue are never very far away in the political world and the great attraction of Politics as a subject is that by keeping up with newspapers and TV and radio news, new material is available to you all the time, and that really brings the subject to life.

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Conclusion analysis

Good conclusions usually refer back to the question or title and address it directly - for example by using key words from the title.
How well do you think these conclusions address the title or question? Answering these questions should help you find out.

  1. Do they use key words from the title or question?
  2. Do they answer the question directly?
  3. Can you work out the question or title just by reading the conclusion?

  • "Critically evaluate the relationship between Members of Parliament, political parties and pressure groups in the formation of legislation"

    "In conclusion I would say that there are many different factors in the making and passing of legislation. All of these different groups influence it; it is not just a one way system. Though I think that this is good because it allows everybody to get there own views across and to try and change a law they may find oppressive."

  • "It was with politics that the problem lay" To what extent do you agree that the greatest problem facing Russia in 1900 was its out-dated political system?

    "By way of conclusion, it is difficult to judge the greatest problem facing Russia in 1900. There were two real problems: the dissatisfaction amongst three groups- peasants, industrial workers and national minorities; and the discontentment with the political system experienced by most of the nation. Politics as a definition is the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the solution of problems, yet the Tsar and his political system in Russia were too weak to resolve these problems. Although a considerable factor in the problems of turn of the century Russia, the political system would not have been a problem if an effective leader had ruled it. It was more the inequality that the lower classes suffered that proved to be the greatest problem."

  • To what extent do you agree with George Dangerfield’s view that “by the end of 1913, Liberal England was reduced to ashes”?

    "In conclusion the Liberals did not have an easy time in government, but fought their battles valiantly, introducing social reform on the way. In the end the jackhammer blows that came with each ensuing challenge or problem toppled the white knight of Liberalism, yet I believe this was not in 1913, but during the war. The Liberals entered the war shaken, but still ready to fight, sending their trusty stead into the face of adversity, only for it to be defeated by internal problems rather than that of external issues, something I find profoundly ironic given the nature of the external turmoil the Liberals faced in the pre war years."

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