How do I revise E2E stub topic for AQA A-Level?

Use recent election data (e.g., 2017 and 2019) to illustrate changes in voter behaviour and electoral outcomes

What exam tips are there for E2E stub topic? (2)

Reference key psephologists and their models (Butler and Stokes for party identification, Clarke et al. for valence politics) to strengthen analysis

What exam tips are there for E2E stub topic? (3)

When evaluating electoral systems, always consider both theoretical principles and practical outcomes (e.g., proportionality vs. constituency link)

What mistakes should I avoid in E2E stub topic?

Confusing plurality and majority electoral systems, such as treating FPTP as a majority system

What are common errors in E2E stub topic exams? (2)

Overgeneralizing voting behaviour by relying solely on class without acknowledging age, region, or issue voting

E2E stub topic

AQA

A-Level

This subtopic explores the mechanisms of electoral systems used in the UK and their influence on party representation, alongside the sociological, psychological, and rational choice models that explain voting behaviour. Students examine how factors such as class, age, media, and regional context shape electoral outcomes, using recent general elections as case studies. Understanding these dynamics is essential for evaluating the health of representative democracy and the effectiveness of political participation.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for explaining how First-Past-the-Post can produce a two-party system and its implications for smaller parties
Expect discussion of the 2019 General Election as a case study for realignment or dealignment
Credit for referencing key studies such as Butler and Stokes on party identification or Denver and Garnett on elections
Look for analysis of the role of social media and traditional media in shaping voter attitudes, with specific examples
Reward evaluation that considers the strengths and limitations of each voting behaviour model

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for explaining how First-Past-the-Post can produce a two-party system and its implications for smaller parties
Expect discussion of the 2019 General Election as a case study for realignment or dealignment
Credit for referencing key studies such as Butler and Stokes on party identification or Denver and Garnett on elections
Look for analysis of the role of social media and traditional media in shaping voter attitudes, with specific examples
Reward evaluation that considers the strengths and limitations of each voting behaviour model

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use recent election data (e.g., 2017 and 2019) to illustrate changes in voter behaviour and electoral outcomes
💡Reference key psephologists and their models (Butler and Stokes for party identification, Clarke et al. for valence politics) to strengthen analysis
💡When evaluating electoral systems, always consider both theoretical principles and practical outcomes (e.g., proportionality vs. constituency link)
💡Structure essays with clear thematic paragraphs that address social, psychological, and rational choice factors separately before synthesizing a conclusion
💡In source-based questions, interpret statistics or extracts by linking them explicitly to course concepts rather than just describing them

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing plurality and majority electoral systems, such as treating FPTP as a majority system
Overgeneralizing voting behaviour by relying solely on class without acknowledging age, region, or issue voting
Failing to provide specific election examples to support arguments
Misunderstanding dealignment as a complete rejection of parties rather than a loosening of ties
Ignoring the impact of short-term factors like leadership image and campaign events

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Electoral system mechanics

Socio-economic influences on voting

Party identification and dealignment

Media and campaign effects

Rational choice vs. sociological models

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic