A2 Unit F853: Contemporary US Government and Politics — OCR A-Level Politics

A2 Unit F853: Contemporary US Government and Politics is a core component of the OCR A-Level Politics specification, designed to deepen your understanding of the political system of the United States. This unit focuses on the key institutions of the US government—Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and the federal bureaucracy—as well as the political processes that shape them, including elections, parties, interest groups, and the media. By studying the US system, you will compare it with the UK system, gaining insights into how different political structures produce different outcomes. This unit is essential for developing a comparative perspective, which is a key skill in political analysis.

The unit is divided into three main sections: the Constitution and the federal system, the three branches of government, and the linkage institutions (elections, parties, interest groups, and media). You will explore how the Constitution establishes the separation of powers and checks and balances, and how these principles operate in practice. You will also examine the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Constitution, the powers of the President, and the legislative process in Congress. Understanding these elements is crucial for analysing contemporary US politics, such as the impact of partisan gridlock, the influence of campaign finance, and the role of the media in shaping public opinion.

Mastering this unit will not only prepare you for the exam but also equip you with the analytical tools to understand current events in the US. The ability to compare US and UK politics is a valuable skill for any politics student, and this unit provides the foundation for that comparison. By the end of the unit, you should be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the US political system, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and discuss key debates such as the power of the presidency versus Congress, the role of the Supreme Court in policy-making, and the influence of money in politics.

• →Separation of powers and checks and balances: The US Constitution divides power among three branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Each branch has specific powers and can check the others, e.g., the President can veto legislation, Congress can override vetoes, and the Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.
• →Federalism: The division of power between the federal government and the states. This concept is crucial for understanding the distribution of authority in areas like education, healthcare, and law enforcement. Key cases like McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and United States v. Lopez (1995) illustrate the evolving nature of federalism.
• →Congressional powers and structures: The legislative branch consists of the House of Representatives (435 members, based on population) and the Senate (100 members, two per state). Key powers include lawmaking, oversight of the executive, and confirmation of appointments. The committee system is vital for detailed policy work.
• →Presidential powers and the imperial presidency: The President serves as head of state, head of government, and Commander-in-Chief. Powers include veto, executive orders, and foreign policy leadership. The concept of the 'imperial presidency' refers to the expansion of presidential power, especially in foreign affairs and national security.
• →Judicial review and the Supreme Court: The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803). The Court's composition (nine justices, appointed for life) and its role in interpreting the Constitution make it a key political actor. Landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and Roe v. Wade (1973) show its impact.

• Functions of elections: representation, participation, accountability, legitimacy, direct, indirect and representative democracy
• The nominating process: primaries, caucuses and national party conventions
• General election campaign: role of parties, factors influencing the campaign and voting behaviour
• The Electoral College
• Congressional elections: factors influencing campaign and voting behaviour
• Congressional election issues: incumbency, redistricting and gerrymandering

• 💡Build on working knowledge of concepts and ideologies introduced at AS level
• 💡Be aware of key and current developments in US government and politics over the previous decade
• 💡Study US government and politics in practice against a background of how it works in theory
• 💡Ensure answers are structured and demonstrate clear contextual awareness
• 💡Use specific examples to support your arguments. For instance, when discussing checks and balances, refer to recent events like President Obama's use of executive orders on immigration or the Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act. This shows you can apply concepts to real-world politics.
• 💡Make direct comparisons with the UK system where relevant. For example, compare the US separation of powers with the UK fusion of powers, or the US Supreme Court's power of judicial review with the UK's parliamentary sovereignty. This demonstrates a deeper understanding of political systems.
• 💡Evaluate rather than describe. The highest marks are awarded for analysis and evaluation. For example, don't just list the powers of the President; evaluate whether the presidency has become too powerful, using evidence from both historical and contemporary examples.

• Misconception: The President can directly introduce legislation. Correction: Only members of Congress can introduce bills. The President can propose legislation and lobby Congress, but cannot formally introduce bills.
• Misconception: The Supreme Court is completely independent and non-political. Correction: While justices are appointed for life to ensure independence, the appointment process is highly political, and justices often have ideological leanings that influence their decisions. The Court is a political institution that makes policy through its rulings.
• Misconception: The US has a two-party system because of legal restrictions. Correction: The two-party system is not legally mandated; it arises from structural factors like the first-past-the-post electoral system, which discourages third parties, and the broad coalitions needed to win elections.