Politics A level

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Further constitutional reform? by The A Level Politics ShowIn this episode, we examine whether the case for further constitutional reform has become overwhelming. We examine topics that have been covered on the podcast before and bring them under one roof to help you answer a general question on this topic. Should the constitution be codified? Is there a case for further devolution in England and ought the Human Rights Act to be replaced with a British Bill of Rights? If you find the podcast useful, think about pre-ordering my revision book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Revision-Notes-Pearson-Politics/dp/1398325538/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nick+de+souza&qid=1617877782&sr=8-1

Backbenchers by The A Level Politics ShowIn this episode, we focus on what backbenchers do. What are their functions and which one is the most important? We examine the influence of backbench MPs in both hung and majority parliaments, and then end with some tips on what to look out for when defining key words in your introduction. Enjoy!

Devolution in England by The A Level Politics ShowShould the English be given their own parliament? Or will regional assemblies better represent the people? Of course, there is a third option - continue with the patchwork of random institutions that are created as and when the government sees fit. This “organic” and very British way of implementing devolution has been the route taken for the past twenty years. Proponents of this view argue that “need” is better than “neatness”. I take the view that fairness is better than mess. While an English Parliament should be seen for what it is - a reactionary and narrow-minded attempt to shut people out of decision making - regional assemblies would do the opposite. It is time, I argue, for a federal UK.

Feminism and the economy by The A Level Politics ShowIn this episode, I try (badly) to introduce you to the “disagree/agree” sandwich format of writing ideologies essays. Warning: there is a dubious analogy to beef burgers. Halloumi is mentioned too. At some point, the divides over the economy are discussed. Apologies for a very noisy fridge in the background - it makes a change from the cat, I suppose.

Should the Human Rights Act be kept, scrapped or replaced? by The A Level Politics ShowWhen the HRA was passed in 1998, few could have imagined its impact on UK Politics. It seemed to merely confirm the rights that had already existed - those written into the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Yet in giving UK citizens to the right to use UK courts to seek redress of grievance, legal avenues to claim rights came closer to the people. No longer would they have to travel to Strasbourg to fight for their rights in the European Court of Human Rights (although they still could), the guarantor of the ECHR. Yet the backlash against a so-called rights culture has been severe. Successive Conservative governments have promised to either scrap or “update”, to replace it with a bill of rights or kill it altogether. Despite the assault on the HRA, it remains in place, for now.

Does the UK have a two party system? by The A Level Politics ShowWhile two parties dominate vote share and seat share in parliament, popularity is only one measure of a party system. Several parties have influenced policy over the last decade, most notably UKIP but also the Brexit Party and the DUP. Should we therefore judge a party system by policy influence, or who controls the executive? If the latter is the case, the UK has only one dominant party. Yet it is important get out of the Westminster bubble. The devolved bodies with proportional voting systems lend credence the idea that the two party system theory is not applicable to the whole of the UK.

How powerful is the UK Supreme Court? by The A Level Politics ShowI am delighted to welcome back Matthew Phillips to the show, whose phone line manages to behave up to the second segment, yet appears to self isolate for the grand finale. For the sake of debate, I take the side that the court is too powerful, but I agree with my esteemed colleague that the UK judiciary is only as powerful as Parliament lets it be. The creation of the UKSC did bestow upon top judges newfound prestige... but little else in the way of power. Oh, and well done Nayan Patel, whose imagery of the man standing up to the tanks in Tiananmen Square is ably reenacted with Lego. You are the winner of the Lego political landmark/event creation contest. Thus, the icon for this episode is adorned with your winning entry. Well done!

Feminism and the state by The A Level Politics ShowWhile most feminists accept that the state can play a role in ending gender inequality, they disagree on how the state should go about it, and some even question whether they should even try. Most feminists, however, believe that women’s liberation cannot be imposed without women taking action themselves to bring it about.

Devolution and democracy by The A Level Politics ShowAt its best, the devolved bodies established after 2017 have enhanced local decision making, tested fairer electoral systems and promoted representative democracy. Yet it is also right to acknowledge that asymmetry, coupled with the long-standing Barnet formula, has not produced universal love for the new political landscape.

Media influence and voting behaviour by The A Level Politics ShowIn this episode, we answer a poorly worded and convoluted question: Evaluate the view that media influence and opinion polls are significant determinants of voting behaviour and public policy. While print media, television and opinion polls all have a role to play, the part played by social media has grown significantly. The 2019 general election will reinforce that trend. (PAPER 1)

Conservatism and the state by The A Level Politics ShowEven Rand support the need for a state, while admittedly she argued that the “strong state is the small state”. Nearly all conservatives believe in a central authority that keeps the peace. Yet when it comes to economic matters, the differences start to emerge. (PAPER 1)

Pressure Groups in the UK by The A Level Politics ShowHow powerful are pressure groups and what are the factors that affect their success? Nick examines whether insider status is really that important. He also suggests that while money is handy, sound leadership is even more useful. Finally, while public support is important, government support is critical to the success of any cause. Happy to report that no rebellion became extinct during the making of this podcast, which is hardly surprising since we mention Extinction Rebellion on a number of occasions, along with 20 -odd other campaigns.

Socialism by The A Level Politics ShowTo what extent do Socialists agree about the means and ends? Nick is joined by his comrade at Reigate College, Matthew Phillips, to discuss, amongst other things, how to ensure your teeth remain as white as Tony Blair’s. Don’t worry, it will all make sense when you give us a listen.

Feminism - a single doctrine? by The A Level Politics ShowNick looks at whether all feminists think alike, posing the question: Is feminism a single doctrine? Well, feminists agree on a few things, but be in little doubt that this is a very divided ideology.

Rights in the UK by The A Level Politics ShowNick takes issue with how rights are protected in the UK, dismissing the idea that the country’s rights-based culture is strong enough to withstand the draconian tendencies of powerful governments. (PAPER 1)

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