A2 Unit F855: US Government and Politics — OCR A-Level Politics

A2 Unit F855: US Government and Politics is a core component of the OCR A-Level Politics syllabus, designed to deepen students' understanding of the political system of the United States. This unit explores the key institutions of the US federal government—Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court—as well as the political processes that shape American democracy, including elections, political parties, and interest groups. Students will analyse the distribution of power between the federal and state governments, the role of the Constitution, and the dynamics of checks and balances. The unit also examines contemporary issues such as the influence of money in politics, the impact of partisan polarisation, and the evolving nature of civil liberties.

Studying US Government and Politics is essential because the United States remains a global superpower whose political decisions have far-reaching consequences. By comparing the US system with the UK's, students gain critical insights into different models of democracy, federalism, and constitutional governance. This unit encourages analytical thinking about how institutions operate in practice, the tensions between democratic ideals and political realities, and the ways in which power is exercised and contested. Mastery of this topic not only prepares students for exams but also equips them with the knowledge to engage with current affairs and understand the complexities of American political life.

Within the broader A-Level Politics curriculum, Unit F855 builds on foundational concepts from AS units, such as democracy and participation, and complements other A2 topics like UK Government and Politics. It provides a comparative perspective that enriches students' understanding of political systems and encourages them to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to governance. The unit is assessed through a combination of source-based questions and essays, requiring students to apply theoretical knowledge to specific scenarios and to construct well-reasoned arguments supported by evidence.

• →Separation of powers and checks and balances: The US Constitution divides government into three branches—legislative, executive, judicial—each with distinct powers and the ability to limit the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
• →Federalism: The division of power between the federal government and state governments, with the Constitution granting specific powers to the national government while reserving others to the states. This creates a dual sovereignty system that influences policy-making and political conflict.
• →The Electoral College: The mechanism for electing the US President, where each state has a number of electors based on its congressional representation. Candidates need a majority of 270 electoral votes to win, which can lead to a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote.
• →Judicial review: The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803). This gives the Court significant influence over public policy and the interpretation of the Constitution.
• →Political polarisation: The increasing ideological divide between the Democratic and Republican parties, leading to gridlock in Congress, heightened partisan conflict, and challenges to democratic norms. This is a key contemporary issue in US politics.

• Electoral systems and candidate selection procedures
• Conduct of general election campaigns
• Issues concerning media and campaign finance
• Theories of voting behaviour
• Issues concerning representation, participation and democracy
• Contemporary issues associated with elections and voting behaviour
• Ability to compare and contrast features of US politics with UK and EU systems
• Ability to make appropriate connections between US government and politics and other political systems

• 💡Draw together knowledge, understanding and skills learned in different parts of the Advanced GCE course.
• 💡Make appropriate connections between the areas studied.
• 💡Compare and contrast features of British and American politics.
• 💡Make connections to and comparisons with the political system of the European Union where relevant.
• 💡View political institutions and practices in perspective.
• 💡Supplement formal study by being alert to the course of events in the world of politics and following them in the media.
• 💡Make appropriate references to political systems, processes and events beyond the UK, US and European Union where relevant.
• 💡Use specific examples: When discussing concepts like checks and balances, refer to real-world events (e.g., Obama's use of executive orders, Trump's impeachment, Biden's executive actions). This demonstrates application and depth of knowledge, which is rewarded in higher-mark questions.
• 💡Compare and contrast with the UK: Examiners value comparative analysis. For instance, when explaining federalism, contrast it with the UK's devolved system. Highlight similarities and differences in areas like separation of powers, judicial review, and party discipline.
• 💡Structure your essays clearly: Use the PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) method. Start with a clear thesis, provide evidence from the Constitution or recent politics, explain how it supports your argument, and link back to the question. Avoid descriptive answers; focus on analysis and evaluation.

• Misconception: The President has the power to declare war. Correction: Only Congress has the constitutional power to declare war (Article I, Section 8). The President, as Commander-in-Chief, can order military action without a declaration, but Congress controls funding and can authorise use of force.
• Misconception: The Supreme Court is a purely legal institution, not political. Correction: While justices are appointed for life to ensure independence, their decisions often have political implications, and the appointment process is highly politicised. Justices' ideological leanings influence their interpretations of the Constitution.
• Misconception: The US is a two-party system because of legal restrictions. Correction: The two-party system is largely due to structural factors like single-member districts and the Electoral College, which make it difficult for third parties to win. There are no laws prohibiting other parties.