A2 Unit F855: US Government and Politics
This unit focuses on the US electoral system, candidate selection, campaign conduct, and the role of media and finance. It requires candidates to draw connections between US, UK, and EU political systems, evaluating issues of representation, participation, and democracy.
Subtopics in this area
Topic Overview
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, the Supreme Court, and the federal bureaucracy—as well as the political processes that shape them, such as elections, parties, and interest groups. It also examines the constitutional framework, including the separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism, which are fundamental to the US political system. By studying this unit, students gain insight into how the world's most powerful democracy operates, comparing it with the UK system to highlight key differences and similarities.
Understanding US Government and Politics is crucial for A-Level students because it provides a comparative perspective that enriches their knowledge of political concepts and theories. The US system is often contrasted with the UK's parliamentary model, offering a clear example of a presidential system with a written constitution and a strong emphasis on individual rights. This unit also covers contemporary issues such as the role of the Supreme Court in shaping policy, the influence of money in politics, and the impact of partisan polarisation. Mastery of this topic not only prepares students for exams but also equips them with the analytical skills to engage with current affairs and global politics.
Within the wider OCR A-Level Politics course, Unit F855 builds on foundational knowledge from AS units, particularly the study of UK government and politics. It encourages students to apply comparative methods, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different political systems. The unit is assessed through a 2-hour written exam, which includes essay questions and source-based tasks. Success requires a firm grasp of key terminology, institutional processes, and the ability to construct well-supported arguments. This overview sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the US political landscape, from the Constitution to contemporary debates.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Separation of powers and checks and balances: The Constitution divides power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each with distinct functions and the ability to limit the others, preventing any one branch from dominating.
- →Federalism: The division of power between the federal government and state governments, with the Constitution granting specific powers to the federal government while reserving others to the states, leading to a complex interplay of authority.
- →The Electoral College: The mechanism for electing the President, where each state has a number of electors based on its congressional representation, and a candidate must win a majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) to win the presidency.
- →Judicial review: The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803), making the Court a key policymaker.
- →Party polarisation: The increasing ideological divide between the Democratic and Republican parties, leading to gridlock in Congress and heightened partisan conflict in recent decades.
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- 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
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- 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
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡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: To maximise marks, always support your arguments with concrete examples from US politics, such as recent Supreme Court cases (e.g., Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization), presidential actions (e.g., executive orders), or congressional legislation (e.g., the Affordable Care Act). This demonstrates depth of knowledge.
- 💡Compare and contrast: The exam often requires comparison with the UK system. Make explicit comparisons, such as the US presidential system vs. UK parliamentary system, or the US written constitution vs. UK uncodified constitution. Use phrases like 'in contrast to the UK...' to highlight differences.
- 💡Structure essays clearly: Use a clear introduction with a thesis, paragraphs that each focus on a single point with evidence, and a conclusion that summarises your argument. For source-based questions, analyse the source critically, identifying its strengths and weaknesses.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Misconception: The President can directly introduce legislation in Congress. Correction: The President cannot formally introduce bills; only members of Congress can. The President can propose legislation through the State of the Union address or by lobbying Congress, but the power to initiate bills rests with Congress.
- Misconception: The Supreme Court is a purely legal institution, not political. Correction: While the Court interprets the law, its decisions are often influenced by the political ideologies of the justices, and the appointment process is highly politicised. Landmark rulings on issues like abortion, healthcare, and campaign finance reflect this political dimension.
- Misconception: The US has a two-party system because third parties are banned. Correction: Third parties are legal but face structural barriers such as the first-past-the-post electoral system, ballot access laws, and lack of funding, which make it difficult for them to win elections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •AS Unit F851: UK Government and Politics: Understanding the UK system provides a baseline for comparison with the US, especially concepts like parliamentary sovereignty, the Westminster model, and the role of political parties.
- •Basic knowledge of the US Constitution: Familiarity with the structure of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and key amendments (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 14th), is essential for understanding the framework of US government.
- •Understanding of political ideologies: A grasp of liberalism, conservatism, and socialism helps in analysing the ideological positions of US political parties and interest groups.
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
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