A-Level Politics: US Elections, Parties, Pressure Groups and Comparative Theories

This material covers democracy and participation in the United States and the comparative theories used across the whole US option of A level Politics. The category's existing comparison material explains the Electoral College and the effect of primaries on party discipline; this one covers the rest of the election cycle, the parties and pressure groups, and the three theories students are expected to apply when comparing the US and the UK.

The first strand is elections. Students follow the presidential race from the invisible primary through open and closed primaries and caucuses to the national conventions, whose main job today is to confirm the primary winner, adopt a platform and unite the party. They learn what is elected at a midterm, why House incumbents are re-elected at such high rates, and how campaign finance changed with the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 and the rise of super PACs. The 1992 election, in which an independent candidate won about 19 per cent of the popular vote and no electoral votes, shows the effect of winner-takes-all on third parties.

The second strand is parties and pressure groups: the two main parties, their factions and the evidence of partisan polarisation in Congress; and pressure-group methods that are distinctive in the US, such as amicus curiae briefs to the Supreme Court, political action committees, iron triangles and the revolving door.

The third strand is the comparative theories. Rational theory explains behaviour as the choices of self-interested individuals, cultural theory through a society's shared values, and structural theory through the institutions within which people act. Quiz scenarios ask students to recognise each theory when it is applied to a real difference between the two countries, such as party discipline or health policy.

The quiz has twelve questions built on scenarios and evidence. The flashcards give eighteen terms. The written work has eight extended questions, from explaining the stages of a presidential election to using the three theories to explain differences between US and UK parties, each with a reference answer and key points. The oral exam asks questions one at a time and expects comparisons with the UK.

Rules are stated as they apply to recent elections and examples are historical; the material names no current politicians and takes no side between the parties. It is practice material and does not reproduce any exam board's questions.

• Describe the stages of a presidential election from the invisible primary to the convention
• Distinguish open primaries, closed primaries and caucuses
• Explain incumbency advantage, midterms and the obstacles facing third parties
• Explain US campaign finance rules and the role of super PACs
• Explain pressure-group methods in the US, including amicus briefs and iron triangles
• Apply rational, cultural and structural theories to differences between the US and the UK

Practice material written by Zestly, based on the US democracy and participation and comparative theories content of the A level Politics comparative component (for example Pearson Edexcel, USA option).