“Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with
bloodshed.” Mao Zedong
Politics is the study of the way in which societies decide how to allocate scarce resources.
The new Government and Politics A level course is a popular subject at Harrogate Ladies’ College. Girls study the institutions, personalities and controversies that constitute the political systems of the UK and the USA. The emphasis is on the current political climate – so the focus is on the Blair/Brown/Cameron/Clegg and Bush/Obama years, with contextual references to the Thatcher, Major, Reagan and Clinton administrations. The new coalition government now provides a unique area for scrutiny and debate.
Pupils study institutional (the power of the Prime Minister, Parliament, the US
Presidency and Congress)and sociological (elections and voting behaviour, pressure groups and political parties) topics, but always within the context of current political events.
No previous knowledge of Government and Politics is required. Any pupil with an interest in current affairs will enjoy the experience. Girls are encouraged to read a quality newspaper every day. The internet, television and radio also provide remarkable sources of information on British, American and world politics.