A Level Government and Politics AQA
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Start revising this course →Content Overview
175 topics in 8 modules
☑️ UK Politics 73 topics
- Anglo-Saxon institutions
- Norman Rule
- Angevin Rule
- Magna Carta
- Creation of Parliament
- Journey to Parliamentary Sovereignty
- English Civil War
- Bill of Rights
- Act of Settlement 1701
- Creation of the UK
- Parliament Acts
- European Communities Act
- British Politics
- Parliamentary System
- Democracy in the UK
- Constitution: Definition
- Codified vs Uncodified Constitutions
- Sources of the UK Constitution
- Strengths and weakensses of the UK constitution
- Constitutional reform post-1997
- Devolution: Definition
- Scottish Parliament
- Welsh Assembly
- Northern Ireland Assembly
- Impact of Devolution
- House of Commons: Structure
- House of Commons: Members
- House of Lords: Structure
- House of Lords: Members
- Powers of the Commons and the Lords
- Functions of Parliament
- Parliament in relation to the Executive
- The Executive
- Prime Minister
- Cabinet
- Ministerial responsibility
- Powers of of the prime minister and cabinet
- Supreme Court: Role
- Supreme Court: Composition
- Supreme Court: Underpinning Principles
- Supreme Court: Power
- Supreme Court: Impact
- Supreme Court: What happens after Brexit?
- The EU: Development
- The EU: Aims
- The EU: Roles and Functions
- The EU: Political Systems
- The EU: Impact on British politics
- The EU: Brexit
- Democracy: Definition
- Forms of Democracy
- Effectiveness of UK Democracy
- Political Participation in the UK
- Pressure Groups
- Protection of rights in democracies
- Elections and Democracy
- First Past the Post System
- First Past the Post: Advantages
- First Past the Post: Disadvantages
- Other UK Electoral Systems
- Referenda in the UK
- Different Regions of the UK vote differently
- Effect of class on voting
- Effect of gender on voting
- Effect of age on voting
- Effect of ethnicity on voting
- Changing voting trends
- Role of the Party Leader
- Role of the Media in Politics
- Political Party: Definition
- Types of UK political parties
- UK Political Parties
- UK Political party funding
☑️ US Politics 70 topics
- US Constitution
- Amendments to the Constitution
- Constitutional Rights
- Principles of the Constitution
- The Federal-state relationship
- Federalism and its consequences
- Compare UK and US constitutions
- Congress: Structure
- Congress: Composition
- Congress: Powers
- House vs Senate
- Congress: Committee system
- Congress: Legislation
- Congress: Oversight
- Congress: Representation
- Voting in Congress
- Parties in Congress
- Congress vs UK Parliament
- Presidency: Powers of the president
- Vice President
- The Cabinet
- Executive Office of the President
- President's relationship with Congress
- Direct Authority
- Theories of presidential power
- Role of the president in foreign policy
- Limitations on presidential power
- Factors affecting presidential success
- US President vs UK Prime Minister
- Federal courts: Structure
- Membership of Supreme Court
- Appointment of justices
- Confirmation of justices
- Judicial Review
- Judicial Activism
- Judicial Restraint
- Supreme Court: Bill of Rights
- Supreme Court and Public Policy
- Supreme Court vs congressional power
- Supreme Court vs presidential power
- UK vs US Supreme Court
- Civil Rights
- Affirmative Action
- Voting Rights
- Representation
- Immigration reform
- Compare UK and USA protection of rights
- Presidential elections
- Congressional elections
- Propositions
- Referenda in the USA
- Recall elections
- Compare UK and USA electoral systems
- Political Parties
- Party Ideology
- Party Organisation
- Party Policies
- Supporter Coalitions
- Two-Party system
- Third Parties
- Conflicts within Parties
- UK Parties vs US Parties
- Pluralism
- Pressure Group Types
- Pressure Group Functions
- Pressure Group Power
- Pressure Group Impact
- Pressure Groups: Arguments for
- Pressure Groups: Arguments againts
- US vs UK Pressure Groups
☑️ Political Ideas 12 topics
- Liberalism: Origins
- Liberalism: Core Ideas
- Liberalism: Different types
- Liberalism: Tensions
- Conservatism: Origins
- Conservatism: Core Ideas
- Conservatism: Different Types
- Conservatism: Tensions
- Socialism: Origins
- Socialism: Core Ideas
- Socialism: Different Types
- Socialism: Tensions
☑️ Political Ideas: Feminism 4 topics
- Feminism: Origins
- Feminism: Core Ideas
- Feminism: Different Types
- Feminism: Tensions
☑️ Political Ideas: Nationalism 4 topics
- Nationalism: Origins
- Nationalism: Core Ideas
- Nationalism: Different Types
- Nationalism: Tensions
☑️ Political Ideas: Multiculturalism 4 topics
- Multiculturalism: Origins
- Multiculturalism: Core Ideas
- Multiculturalism: Different Types
- Multiculturalism: Tensions
☑️ Political Ideas: Anarchism 4 topics
- Anarchism: Origins
- Anarchism: Core Ideas
- Anarchism: Different Types
- Anarchism: Tensions
☑️ Political Ideas: Ecologism 4 topics
- Ecologism: Origins
- Ecologism: Core Ideas
- Ecologism: Different Types
- Ecologism: Tensions
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A Level Government and Politics AQA Revision Content
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A Level Government and Politics AQA - UK Politics - Anglo-Saxon institutions Content Preview
UK Politics
Anglo-Saxon institutions
Anglo-Saxon Institutions
Origins and Influence
- The Anglo-Saxon institutions are often considered to have formed the foundations of English constitutional law and the British political system.
- The term refers to the system of laws, governance mechanisms, and social structures present in England prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Witan
- The Witan, or Witenagemot, were critical to the Anglo-Saxon institutional framework. They were essentially a council of nobles who advised the king.
- While Witan had no explicit legislative power, the king rarely acted against their counsel. This is often seen as a precursor to the parliamentary system.
Law and Local Government
- Anglo-Saxon law constituted a distinctive system of jurisprudence with unique principles and mechanisms.
- This period saw the birth of English common law, which was highly influential worldwide.
- The duties and privileges of the Anglo-Saxon freemen held significant political implications and contributed to the development of local governance structures.
- Anglo-Saxon England had well-defined local government units, such as the shire and the hundred, both of which played crucial roles while maintaining public order and administration.
- The court system during this era was driven more by communal verdicts, and the institution of the jury has its roots in Anglo-Saxon practises.
Church, Society, and Culture
- The Anglo-Saxon Church was a profound social and cultural institution, significantly influencing governance.
- The Church played a vital role because it was responsible for educating the elites, maintaining written records, and shaping mediaeval legislation and jurisprudence.
- Anglo-Saxon societal norms and cultural practises also added to their institutional scheme. Their emphasis on an egalitarian society and customary laws are reflected in England's later political systems.
Transition and Legacy
- Despite the Norman conquest, many Anglo-Saxon institutional elements were preserved and continued to evolve.
- The idea of consent of the governed present in the Witan system can be traced through to the Magna Carta (1215), the 1689 Bill of Rights and into modern parliamentary democracy.
- The Anglo-Saxon institutions have profoundly impacted the British political and legal landscape.
Question: What is the significance of the institution of the Witan in the development of the British parliamentary system?
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