Anybody doing/did A2 Political Ideologies?

any predictions to what might come up?

With Unit 4 it's difficult to say because it's so broad and can be linked to any part of Unit 3, e.g. the links between liberalism and multiculturalism.

I don't think there's any particular trend in the questions, so question spotting probably isn't the best way to revise. Although, I don't think multiculturalism has had an essay question linking to conservatism, so that could be a possibility because there's lots to say. There could also be something about contrasting the ideas of nationalism and multiculturalism maybe.

But I don't know, so don't take my word for it.

I'm doing Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism for Unit 3, although I'll do some brief revision on Anarchism too. I'm not too sure about Unit 4 yet, but I will definitely do Feminism and Ecologism.

Which ones are you guys concentrating on?

I'm focussing on Liberalism, Conservatism and Anarchism for unit 3, but I'll also look at Socialism. For unit 4, I'm the same as you in that I'll be doing Feminism and Ecologism but don't really like Multiculturalism or Nationalism! I prefer the Multiculturalism 15 markers but prefer Nationalism 45 markers so I think that's how I'll revise for them.

What did you get at AS for Politics and what do you need for A2?

That sounds like a good idea. I'll probably revise in a similar way.

Do you not like the Socialism topic then? I don't like the Anarchism stuff as it all seems a bit 'wishy washy' if you know what I mean.

I had a really bad teacher last year who thankfully retired and was replaced with someone much better. So, last year I got 2 UMS off a B even though I was predicted an A. This year I'm looking to get A grades so that I can average out at a B. I think if I got A* grades on both the A2 papers I could get an A, but that's probably a long shot.

How about you - what are you aiming for and what did you get last year?

Not really, it feels like it's the largest of the 8 ideologies (not sure if that's true though) and the others just seem easier. I don't mind the Socialism 45 markers such as 'TWE have socialists been committed to equality of outcome' etc but Liberalism > Conservatism > Anarchism > Socialism is my ranking of the ideologies for unit 3. Anarchism and Marxism are quite similar in that respect I guess, but Marxists at least try to be scientific whereas Anarchists say they think harmony will develop 'spontaneously' so I can see what you mean.

That's unlucky, but that's 138/200 at AS and you need 320/400 overall for an A so you'll need 91% this year for an A overall which is a low A* so definitely achievable! How come you're not retaking a unit from AS if you need an A, you'd probably find it a lot easier this year.

I got an A last year and I'm predicted an A* this year but I'll be happy with an A! What uni are you hoping to go to (and what course)?

Socialism is quite broad, but in some ways that's a good thing as it opens up a wider breath of issues to discuss.
Marxism aspires to Communism though, whereas Anarchism just seeks to abolish the state and suchlike.

Ah thanks for working that out for me. I'm definitely going to work hard for these exams as I would love to get an A.
I thought about doing a resit of Unit 2 but decided against it with the idea that I would be able to work harder on my A2 exams. I'm not doing any resits at all, so I'm hoping my A2 results will prosper as a result!

Wow, good luck with that - I'm sure you can get an A*! I wish I'd had my teacher from this year last year; I would have done so much better! I'm hoping to go to Cardiff to study Philosophy. I need ABB and I'm predicted an A*/A and an A in my other two subjects, so that's another reason why I wasn't so fussed about doing the Unit 2 resit. How about you?

But also a lot more to remember, which is never a good thing.
I meant in that their end goal is a stateless society and they both have an optimistic view of human nature, but there are differences in that Anarchists are extreme Socialists because they don't believe in a temporary state (dictatorship of proles) and they view all relationships as power based and thus corrupting. (I think that's right anyway!)

No problem, yeah I'm with you on that! I see, that's fair enough - I'm not doing any retakes either (although I still have 10 exams ).

Good luck with that! Philosophy is a very interesting course, but also a very difficult one from what I've seen! I'm hoping to go to Cambridge (Gonville & Caius College) to read Law - I need A*AA in any three subjects (I take 4 A Levels).

I think we should start discussing exam tips and revising more, but there doesn't seem to be many people taking the exam, or maybe they're all hiding Either way, hopefully the thread will start to become more lively as we approach the exams!

That's true. Maybe I'm just interested in Socialism because I have a fair few socialist beliefs myself. I like the Third Way in particular.

I think you hit that on the nail. That whole idea links with a feminist discussion of paternalistic oppression. I find it quite amusing how some, more extreme feminists, claim any relationship involving a man is supporting the patriarchy which seeks to oppress women. Lesbian separatism I believe it is called?

I love Philosophy - particularly where ethics are involved. It links really well with Politics too. It is certainly tough though - especially for those who struggle to discuss in the abstract and hypothetical. Wow, Cambridge - that's impressive. Have you got a conditional place then?

Mhm, I'm sure it will become more lively towards exam time. We're just ahead of the game you might say.
Do you happen to have any good exam/revision tips?

This thread is a bit dead... Someone out there must be doing A2 Politics on Edexcel

Time to reawaken the thread!

There doesn't appear to be an official thread for A2 Political Ideologies on Edexcel so I guess this is the official thread, how is everyone's revision coming along?

I'm doing it !

I haven't started any revision at all for Politics tbh. I haven't done anything at all for Unit 4

I have spent all my energy focusing on History and English, as the exams are earlier, although I will start doing some politics now.

In terms of revision all I'm going to memorise key quotes, key philosophers/principles and do some past papers. Not much else to do tbh.

I think A2 is harder because in A/S I could get away with using statistics and dates (I did introduction to UK political system I think)

what grade are you aiming for ?

Welcome!

I've made notes for all 8 ideologies and some essay plans but haven't done any Politics work for a while now!

Like you, I've been focussing on other subjects (Maths/Further Maths/Economics). Don't forget core beliefs and justifications!

I got an A at AS and I'm predicted an A* this year, but to meet my offer I only need an A in politics so an A* would be nice but I'd be more than happy with an A! How about you?

just read you have an offer from cambridge for Law ! well done, thats amazing

I am hoping for A*A*A/A*A*A, but I got rejected from oxford pre-interview (for law as well). Going Bristol. My offer is only AAB, I just want to score as high as possible.

I got 184/200 last year, so I don't really need to score to highly in Politics to get an A, although I don't want to get complacent either.

Good luck, I'm sure you will get the grades.

Welcome!

I've made notes for all 8 ideologies and some essay plans but haven't done any Politics work for a while now!

Like you, I've been focussing on other subjects (Maths/Further Maths/Economics). Don't forget core beliefs and justifications!

I got an A at AS and I'm predicted an A* this year, but to meet my offer I only need an A in politics so an A* would be nice but I'd be more than happy with an A! How about you?

just read you have an offer from cambridge for Law ! well done, thats amazing

I am hoping for A*A*A/A*A*A, but I got rejected from oxford pre-interview (for law as well). Going Bristol. My offer is only AAB, I just want to score as high as possible.

I got 184/200 last year, so I don't really need to score to highly in Politics to get an A, although I don't want to get complacent either.

Good luck, I'm sure you will get the grades.

hows revision coming along for you?

Thanks

Congrats on Bristol, they're awesome for Law! Is that a contextual offer? A few of my friends got AAB from Bristol for going to a sixth form in the bottom 40% of the country or something

You did great, you beat me anyway! Yeah I feel the same, although I haven't revised for Politics in a while

Thanks, same to you!

As I said above, not great. I haven't done any politics in a while haha

you'll be fine lol...youll get your A*

Any tips? i have unit 2 politics as well so got a lot to do! Any tips for unit 2?

I very much doubt that!

I'm not sure I'm the right person to be asking for tips for unit 2 if I'm honest, ask your teacher? I got 96% in unit 2 but only because the grade boundaries were so low. As for techniques or revision methods, I barely revised more than a week for unit 2 and followed no set exam technique. Just make sure you know all the content and are familiar with the exam layout I suppose.