Politics

Politics

“We don’t always like politicians and the things that governments do… but the business of politics touches every aspect of our lives. And whilst we might criticise governments for some of their policies, it has to be better than having no government at all.”

These are the opening words in AQA’s “Why choose Politics” booklet. However you may take exception to this or you may whole-heartedly agree, you may take the view that that you just don’t care!

But you should!!

Decisions are made in your name all the time, policies are developed and those policies put into practice but how can you affect those policies, should you or is politics something that should be left to an elitist group, those who may know better or are better placed than you or I! Or do you think it’s clearly all a mess and there is nothing I can do!

Politics is lively, relevant, controversial … There is no doubt that it arouses strong opinions. Covering news and current affairs from the UK and USA. The A-level Politics specification is designed to encourage students to develop their critical thinking skills and enhance their ability to interpret, evaluate and comment on the nature of politics.

Students acquire knowledge of the structures of authority and power within the political system of the United Kingdom and similarly that of the USA. In a significant change from the out-going specification the two have a comparative element so for example you may consider the power of the Trump presidency with that of a May premiership!

Finally, the introduction of a third element of Political Ideology. These include:

• the three traditional ideologies of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism
• one of either: feminism, nationalism, multiculturalism, ecologism or anarchism.

In light of recent political events in Britain and across Europe and the USA we are likely to choose Nationalism as our forth option.

Over recent years we have invited in a range of speakers and organisations, our local MP Stephen Hammond, Cath Mayer, a co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party and the organisation “Solutions not Sides”. We will continue to invite in guest speakers and arrange trips to conferences and the Houses of parliament Politics at RR6 has grown in popularity with more and more students choosing it as a first choice subject. So join us and continue to grow the subject.

Mr Husseyin Davut
Head of Department