In this fascinating, insightful portrait of American life and politics, Jon Sopel sets out to answer our questions about a country that once stood for the grandest of dreams but which is now mired in a storm of political extremism, racial division and increasingly perverse beliefs. 

Things Can Only Get Better, by author John O'Farrell, is the personal account of a Labour supporter who survived eighteen miserable years of Conservative government. It is the heartbreaking and hilarious confessions of someone who has been actively involved in helping the Labour party lose elections at every level: school candidate: door-to-door canvasser: working for a Labour MP in the House of Commons; standing as a council candidate; and eventually writing jokes for a shadow cabinet minister. 

John O'Farrell attempts to explain the alarming rise of populist politics, Labour's twenty-year identity crisis, and why you should never tell your mother you are doing a radio phone-in, unless you want her ringing up to tell everyone she agrees with you. On everything.  Along the way, John stood for parliament against Theresa May but failed to step into her shoes; he took his campaigning skills to America (but still Obama got in); and he was dubbed 'the sickest man in politics' by the Daily Mail when in truth he's only the second or third. 

In Why Politics Fails, award-winning Oxford professor Ben Ansell draws on examples from Ancient Greece through Brexit to vividly illustrate how we can escape these traps, overcome self-interest and deliver on our collective goals. Politics seems to be broken, but this book shows how it can work for everyone. 

In the book, Bernie Sanders sets out his position on climate change, free college tuition, income inequality, closing the gender wage gap and defeating Donald Trump while campaigning for Hillary Clinton during the last three months leading to the 2016 presidential election.  Sanders discusses how his presidential campaign was considered by the political establishment and the media to be a "fringe" campaign and something not to be taken seriously.  He discusses his initial struggle as being an "Independent senator from a small state with little name recognition".

Listen to a wide range of Podcasts from two men who’ve been at the heart of the political world - former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart.  The Rest Is Politics lifts the lid on the secrets of Westminster, offering an insider’s view on politics at home and abroad, while bringing back the lost art of disagreeing agreeably. 

Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – three of the UK’s top journalists – host an award-winning daily news podcast: The News Agents.  They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news – and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed.

Listen to this BBC Radio 4 show Nick Robinson in which he has a conversation with the people who shape out political thinking about what shape theirs.

Listen to this BBC Sounds show, a daily podcast and weekly television programme produced by BBC News. It takes a look at the day’s main news, political events and talking points. It is the most listened to podcast on BBC Sounds and consistently ranks as the most popular news podcast in the United Kingdom. It is presented by the BBC's former chief political correspondent Adam Fleming with political editor Chris Mason. 

Listen to this podcast on Spotify.

Every Friday, Guardian columnist and former Washington correspondent, Jonathan Freedland, invites experts to help analyse the latest in American politics. From politicians to journalists covering the White House and beyond, Jonathan and his guests give listeners behind the scenes access to how the American political machine works. 

The Reith Lectures are named in honour of John Reith, 1st Baron Reith, the BBC's first director-general.  Reith maintained that broadcasting should be a public service that aimed to enrich the intellectual and cultural life of the nation. It is in this spirit that the BBC each year invites a leading figure to deliver the lectures. The aim is to advance public understanding and debate about issues of contemporary interest 

Watch a wide variety of episodes from this BBC One Show which includes the big names behind the big stories. Laura Kuenssberg talks to those making the news, inside and outside politics. 

This film follows John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, from his selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate to their ultimate defeat in the general election.

On Channel 4 On Demand, watch this acclaimed US political drama that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the White House under President Bartlet's administration.

On BBC iPlayer, Watch this Satirical sitcom set in the office of a UK Cabinet minister, Jim Hacker MP, who struggles with Civil Service bureaucracy and political machinations as he tries to get on with government business 

Watch this Netflix political drama series about a ruthless politician will stop at nothing to conquer Washington, D.C.

Visit the Palace of Westminster.

Visit The UK Supreme Court.

Visit The Royal Courts of Justice.

Visit Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.

Sign up to the Washington D.C trip that the schools runs.  Speak to your Government & Politics teacher for more information.

Here is a link to The White House website.