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A2 3B Ideologies Question Plans

Hey guys,

Other thread seems pretty inactive and has lots of pages for A2 Politics.

Was wondering if some others who were doing Ideologies, wanted to share past paper question plans here? For 15 markers and 45s...

I can provide a few questions and we can maybe think of ways of structuring or providing some model answers if anyone has any?

Predicted Questions inserted within spoiler:

Let's help each other guys. The best thing last year was an active thread... let's try and replicate that again this year!

Spoiler

(edited 6 years ago)

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Reply 1
Here's some of my plans:

15s
ANARCHISM

LIBERALISM

Spoiler



SOCIALISM

CONSERVATISM

Spoiler

Spoiler

(edited 6 years ago)
Reply 2
45s:

CONSERVATISM

ANARCHISM

LIBERALISM

Spoiler



SOCIALISM
Would love some of those questions to come up.
Based on past years exams I would say its extremely likely that we have 2 conservatism 15 markers and 2 in feminism for Unit 4, obviously not certain though
Reply 4
Original post by JamieHarris1998
Would love some of those questions to come up.
Based on past years exams I would say its extremely likely that we have 2 conservatism 15 markers and 2 in feminism for Unit 4, obviously not certain though


Do you have anything on those Conservative questions? I'm trying to find stuff, but struggling with coming up with exemplar answers...

Would love for some Anarchism 15 markers ...I swear there is only like 3 things they can ask..? :biggrin:
Original post by vyu
Do you have anything on those Conservative questions? I'm trying to find stuff, but struggling with coming up with exemplar answers...

Would love for some Anarchism 15 markers ...I swear there is only like 3 things they can ask..? :biggrin:



What I've done is go through every single past paper question that they have asked using their online resources.
In terms of the questions you predicted I have:

"On what grounds do conservatives support paternalism?"
- Paternalism is the idea of exerting authority over a person under the basis of bringing benefit to them or protecting them from harm in a fatherly fashion.
- The paternalist ideas have been mostly supported by the One Nation tradition of conservatives such as Benjamin Disreali.
- Been justified on moral grounds whereby those who disadvantaged in socio-economic ways are there through luck of birth mostly rather than merit. Therefore, they should be considered deserving poor, due to not being responsible for their misfortune. Such thoughts has the implication of the richer and more fortunate members of society having a duty to help those less fortunate due to accident of birth. With greater privilege comes greater duty, as often coined by the phrase, "nobless obliege"
- Also justified on practical grounds around the idea of human imperfection. If those with disadvantages becoming so poor it is much more likely for crime to exist and threaten societies security which threatens order of society and institutions, therefore social intervention to help in a paternal way is the antidote to revolution and social disorder.



"On what grounds have conservatives supported organic society."
-The idea of organic society refers to society forming through natural ways. It has delicate links of organism that cannot be replaced or reformed like a machine would, thus reform or revolution are nothing more than a threat to society.
- They support an organic society because of their collective nature, they believe that for a society to function everyone has their own duties, therefore to prioritise any individuals self striving is to threaten society as a whole due to society not being a collection of individual parts, thus leading to the whole organism of society being threatened if society is reformed in an unorganic machine like way
- They also support it upon the basis of supporting tradition and continuity. Humans are psychologically imperfect and so seek familiar circumstance, and thus rash change to society or reform is dangerous. Therefore they believe that society must move on naturally in an organic fashion so they support the organic society.
-Lastly, their support for law and order which for them forms naturally from things such as hierarchy will lead to the believe of society being organic as everyone is part of the same values and institutions of one natural society.

(Just as a side note, this may be weaker as I think that I mostly focus on the implications of the belief in organic society rather than the actual justifications"


"On what grounds have conservatives supported the notion of private property?" - 4 main reasons here, I'd love this question
- Supported through the idea that humans are psychologically imperfect and therefore are security seeking creatures. Property is the antidote to this, whereby it gives humans something to fallback on in times of need or unfortunate circumstance.
-Property gives people a stake in society, this is the antidote to crime as humans are far less likely to commit crimes that threaten institutions or society because they have a stake in society through the property that they own.
- Property can be a good representation of a persons personality which allows them to express their own individual features. People see themselves in what they own and therefore owning property gives people emotional stability, emotional wellbeing and personal satisfaction.
- Lastly, property is justified by the Liberal New Right ideas of conservatism. For them, society is organic and based on individuals. Property gives individuals something to look up to, and strive towards as an economic incentive. Society is a meritocratic society, therefore the property is justified as being a representation of a person owns is a reflection of an individuals merit. Property ownership is also justified as ownership reduces a persons dependency on the state.
Reply 6
Hi, Does anyone know a good plan for "To what extent is Conservatism defined by its support for free market capitalism?" I can only think of the neo-liberal side which suggests that is defined by it. Thanks
Original post by hw1221
Hi, Does anyone know a good plan for "To what extent is Conservatism defined by its support for free market capitalism?" I can only think of the neo-liberal side which suggests that is defined by it. Thanks


I'd probably try avoid it at all costs if it came up.
But if I were to answer it I'd split it to 4 paragraphs, one on each strand

Start with the liberal new right and debate within it, conclude that it is defined by new right but the ideology is not really conservatism so doesn't play much influence in defining conservative features

Move onto the conservative new right, debate within in it and conclude that despite the free market being an important feature it is more defined by pragmatism and respect for strong state in social stances.

Move onto the paternalistic strand of conservatism and debate around whether things like christian democracy and the One nation support free market. Whilst they appreciate the importance of the market they support intervention and thus surely can't be defined by free market intervention.

Lastly, have Traditional tories, this would be a shorter paragraph I think as there is less to discuss. Would argue that they are more defined by tradition and continuity but would have some debate and counter with them still favouring the capitalist structure.

Conclude - Its not defined by free market capitalism, instead defined by both pragmatism and tradition.
Reply 8
Original post by JamieHarris1998
I'd probably try avoid it at all costs if it came up.
But if I were to answer it I'd split it to 4 paragraphs, one on each strand

Start with the liberal new right and debate within it, conclude that it is defined by new right but the ideology is not really conservatism so doesn't play much influence in defining conservative features

Move onto the conservative new right, debate within in it and conclude that despite the free market being an important feature it is more defined by pragmatism and respect for strong state in social stances.

Move onto the paternalistic strand of conservatism and debate around whether things like christian democracy and the One nation support free market. Whilst they appreciate the importance of the market they support intervention and thus surely can't be defined by free market intervention.

Lastly, have Traditional tories, this would be a shorter paragraph I think as there is less to discuss. Would argue that they are more defined by tradition and continuity but would have some debate and counter with them still favouring the capitalist structure.

Conclude - Its not defined by free market capitalism, instead defined by both pragmatism and tradition.


Thank you, I suppose that's all you can put really. I was worried because the arguements for and against it don't really seem balanced. Lets just hope it doesn't come up.
Reply 9
If the question was say "Anarchism is closer to Liberalism than Socialism" Discuss.

Do we do couple of paras:

IS - Liberalism

ISNT - Socialism

Then one final para - on Anarchism as its own ideology? Or would a comparison be enough?

And i assume we would just compare individualism and collectivism?
Reply 10
Original post by vyu
If the question was say "Anarchism is closer to Liberalism than Socialism" Discuss.

Do we do couple of paras:

IS - Liberalism

ISNT - Socialism

Then one final para - on Anarchism as its own ideology? Or would a comparison be enough?

And i assume we would just compare individualism and collectivism?


Hey, this seems like a really good idea. Having all the plans in one place. Il try and work on some which I can PM to you for you to add... I think one of my biggest problems is not having enough content to write about to fill a 45 marker.. usually I can remember enough to do well in a 15... Like for example "The notion of a stateless society is merely an anarchist fantasy." Discuss. I would have only like 1 or 2 paras and then I would have nothing left to go on... Or is that pretty much another way of asking "To what extent is Anarchism a single doctrine?"

If somebody has anything on that, I would be really grateful! Also maybe something on "An anarchist society is both desirable and possible." Discuss...

You can see I'm weak on Anarchism we only spent the last week on it, and so I'm stressing out over it... Might whip out Heywood again..

THANKS x
Reply 11
You need to do:
Paragraph 1: close to liberalism
Paragraph 2: isn't close to liberalism
Paragraph 3: close to socialism
Paragraph 4: isn't close to socialism.
I did that question in class like that and got 36/45. Hope that helps :smile:
Reply 12
Original post by JamieHarris1998
What I've done is go through every single past paper question that they have asked using their online resources.
In terms of the questions you predicted I have:

"On what grounds do conservatives support paternalism?"
- Paternalism is the idea of exerting authority over a person under the basis of bringing benefit to them or protecting them from harm in a fatherly fashion.
- The paternalist ideas have been mostly supported by the One Nation tradition of conservatives such as Benjamin Disreali.
- Been justified on moral grounds whereby those who disadvantaged in socio-economic ways are there through luck of birth mostly rather than merit. Therefore, they should be considered deserving poor, due to not being responsible for their misfortune. Such thoughts has the implication of the richer and more fortunate members of society having a duty to help those less fortunate due to accident of birth. With greater privilege comes greater duty, as often coined by the phrase, "nobless obliege"
- Also justified on practical grounds around the idea of human imperfection. If those with disadvantages becoming so poor it is much more likely for crime to exist and threaten societies security which threatens order of society and institutions, therefore social intervention to help in a paternal way is the antidote to revolution and social disorder.



"On what grounds have conservatives supported organic society."
-The idea of organic society refers to society forming through natural ways. It has delicate links of organism that cannot be replaced or reformed like a machine would, thus reform or revolution are nothing more than a threat to society.
- They support an organic society because of their collective nature, they believe that for a society to function everyone has their own duties, therefore to prioritise any individuals self striving is to threaten society as a whole due to society not being a collection of individual parts, thus leading to the whole organism of society being threatened if society is reformed in an unorganic machine like way
- They also support it upon the basis of supporting tradition and continuity. Humans are psychologically imperfect and so seek familiar circumstance, and thus rash change to society or reform is dangerous. Therefore they believe that society must move on naturally in an organic fashion so they support the organic society.
-Lastly, their support for law and order which for them forms naturally from things such as hierarchy will lead to the believe of society being organic as everyone is part of the same values and institutions of one natural society.

(Just as a side note, this may be weaker as I think that I mostly focus on the implications of the belief in organic society rather than the actual justifications"


"On what grounds have conservatives supported the notion of private property?" - 4 main reasons here, I'd love this question
- Supported through the idea that humans are psychologically imperfect and therefore are security seeking creatures. Property is the antidote to this, whereby it gives humans something to fallback on in times of need or unfortunate circumstance.
-Property gives people a stake in society, this is the antidote to crime as humans are far less likely to commit crimes that threaten institutions or society because they have a stake in society through the property that they own.
- Property can be a good representation of a persons personality which allows them to express their own individual features. People see themselves in what they own and therefore owning property gives people emotional stability, emotional wellbeing and personal satisfaction.
- Lastly, property is justified by the Liberal New Right ideas of conservatism. For them, society is organic and based on individuals. Property gives individuals something to look up to, and strive towards as an economic incentive. Society is a meritocratic society, therefore the property is justified as being a representation of a person owns is a reflection of an individuals merit. Property ownership is also justified as ownership reduces a persons dependency on the state.


Hey as a means of maybe kickstarting this thread again...

Do you have anything on Conservatism: "Pragmatism over principle."

Or Socialism: "Socialim is defined by its opposition to capitalism." Discuss.

Would be immensely grateful .. I have some Socialist plans if you'd like?
Reply 13
Is liberalism likely to be a 45 marker?

If so what would be the qu.....

'Is liberalism a single doctrine' ?

Last year it was about the state.......
Reply 14
Original post by vyu
Hey as a means of maybe kickstarting this thread again...

Do you have anything on Conservatism: "Pragmatism over principle."

Or Socialism: "Socialim is defined by its opposition to capitalism." Discuss.

Would be immensely grateful .. I have some Socialist plans if you'd like?


What grade you aiming for?

I find conservatism 45 markers the hardest tbh
Reply 15
I
Original post by 3mmz
What grade you aiming for?

I find conservatism 45 markers the hardest tbh


Yeh tbh the same ...

I would like an A* but you have to get over 90%.. no? Which is f**ked up...

But I really dont feel confident .. I can remember basic stuff, but barely any definitions and quotes by thinkers... I also keep forgetting how to structure stuff ... probably just gonna work 24/7 from now till the exam ...
plans my teacher made for every question, though not in great depth ill probably type up my 45 plans for all the questions ive been through for mondays exam apart from anarchism
Original post by 3mmz
Is liberalism likely to be a 45 marker?

If so what would be the qu.....

'Is liberalism a single doctrine' ?

Last year it was about the state.......


i feel like it could be on democracy but i kinda hope its not
Reply 18
Original post by mollyadtr
i feel like it could be on democracy but i kinda hope its not


Same

How would you answer that.....can you please give me a brief plan
Original post by 3mmz
Same

How would you answer that.....can you please give me a brief plan


theyre fearful:
- tyranny of the majority- minority always lose out
- democracy is for the collective not the individual
- parties may promote infringement of freedom
- mill: make up of society - education/votes
- gassett: mass democracy- revoult of the masses
- fear of excessive democracy
- growth of interventionality

no:
- consent, political voting- universal suffrage- political equality
- checks and balance, constitutionalism
- protection: citizens have voting rights against government - can be used to defend natural rights
- benefits of political participation: development, enhance understanding, without democracy, ignorance and brutality will prevail
- consensus: broad agreement
- defends freedom by ensuring public accountability- classical

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