Politics Explained: quite the task. The word ‘politics’ might have you rolling your eyes or dashing for the nearest exit. But don’t worry, we’re not here to bore you to tears. Instead, we’ll break down UK politics, political ideologies like liberalism, socialism, and conservatism, and global politics in a way that’s easy to digest.
What is Politics – and why should you care?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s address the elephant in the room: what actually is politics?
Politics is essentially the art of making decisions that affect everyone. It’s about power, governance, and deciding who gets what, when, and how.
But why should you care? Well, politics shapes everything: your school, healthcare, taxes, and even relationships between countries. It’s not just about people arguing in Parliament; it’s about the rules and systems that impact your life every single day.
UK Politics Explained: A Crash Course
Now that we’ve convinced you to care about politics, let’s talk about how it works in the UK.
The Three Branches of Government
The UK’s political system is divided into three branches:
- The Executive: This is the government, led by the Prime Minister. Think of them as the President or country leader.
- The Legislature: This includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords, whose job is to make and pass laws.
- The Judiciary: These are the judges who ensure everyone plays by the rules. They’re like the referees of politics.
How Elections Work
Elections in the UK use a system called first past the post. The UK is split into 650 areas called ‘seats’ or ‘constituencies’. In each constituency, the candidate with the most votes wins, and represents that place in the House of Commons.
Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, and Conservatism
If UK politics is the stage, political ideologies are the scripts. They’re the big ideas that drive policies and decisions. Let’s meet the big three.
Liberalism is all about individual freedom, equality, and democracy. Liberals believe in personal rights, free markets, and limited government interference. They believe that humans are able to make good decisions, and should have the power to do this.
Socialists believe in fairness and equality through public ownership and wealth distribution. Whilst this means free healthcare and education for all, it doesn’t allow people to accumulate private property, meaning people just live by what they need.
Conservatives value tradition, stability, and gradual change. They’re all about preserving the good stuff from the past while cautiously stepping into the future. This is why Conservatives are traditionally less willing to make big changes to policies if they don’t need to.
Global Politics Explained: The Big Wide World
If you think UK politics is complex, wait until you explore global politics. It’s like a giant chess game, with lots of moving parts and sub-games playing at the same time.
It’s important to recognise that there is no global or world government. The world is run by lots of individiaul countries who have their own interests and aims. If they act out of line, there is no world government to hold them to account.
Instead, the world has lots of key players and uses a system of global governance, responsible for different areas of policy. For example, the International Court of Justice is responsible for protecting human rights around the world, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change helps with ecological issues.
Debates That Shape Politics Today
Politics is constantly evolving, and today’s political landscape is packed with hot-button issues.
One of the biggest debates at the moment is climate change. Governments worldwide are grappling with how to tackle the ecological crisis. Richer countries say it is on developing countries who emit lots of greenhouse gases to minimise these. However, developing countries often don’t have the capability to shift their economy.
Another important debate is on social justice. Movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have highlighted the ways in which people are treated differently in different parts of the world based on characteristics they can’t control.
We can’t forget the debate surrounding the nature of global politics too. Should countries work together or focus on themselves? Nationalism is sometimes directly at odds with globalisation, and some countries are isolating themselves more and more, rather than participating in the global system.
Study Tips for A Level Politics
Studying politics can feel overwhelming, but don’t panic—help is at hand.
- Break it down: start with the basics, like the structure of government or key ideologies. Then work your way up to more complex topics.
- Stay up-to-date: follow the news to see politics in action. These can even form case studies to use in essays and revision.
- Use Study Dog: Our platform offers past papers, model answers, quizzes, and even audio notes to help you ace your exams.
Fun Facts About Politics
Who says politics can’t be fun? Here are some quirky facts to lighten the mood.
- The UK Prime Minister doesn’t have to be an MP. Weird, right?
- The Speaker of the House of Commons can’t vote in debates.
- The UK has the oldest democracy in the world, founded in 1215.
Final Thoughts: Why learn politics?
Politics might seem daunting, but it’s worth understanding. After all, it shapes the world you live in. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be the one shaping it.
Ready to dive deeper into Politics A-level? Check out Study Dog’s A Level Politics resources for resources that’ll make revision a breeze. From past papers to AI flashcards, we’ve got everything you need to succeed.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s ace this together!
