Essay Plan: Unit 4C: Governing the USA - Past Exam Questions

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Unit 4C: Governing the USA – Past Exam Questions

Explain the key principles of the US Constitution. (15)
How effectively has the Bill of Rights been upheld in the USA in recent years? (15)
How flexible is the Constitution of the USA? (15)
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the process of amending the Constitution. (15)
Explain the ways in which the Constitution seeks to prevent the ‘tyranny of the majority’. (15)
How effectively do the three branches of Federal government check each other? (15)
What is the separation of powers, and does it help or hinder the US system of government? (15)
To what extent is the constitutional system of checks and balances an obstacle to effective government? (45)
‘The US system of checks and balances is ineffective.’ Discuss. (45)
‘The strengths of the US Constitution now outweigh its weaknesses.’ Discuss. (45)

‘Congress has become the least powerful branch of government.’ Discuss. (45)
Assess the factors that influence the votes of members of Congress. (15)
‘The main problem with Congress is the lack of effective leadership.’ Discuss.
Explain the key factors that affect the relationship between the Senate and the House. (15)
Assess the power and influence of congressional committee chairmen. (15)
To what extent are the two chambers of Congress equal in power and influence? (15)
What is the role of Committee Chairmen in Congress, and why have they been the subject of criticism? (15)
To what extent are parties the most significant influence on voting in Congress? (15)
How significant is the role of political parties within Congress? (15)
Why do only a small percentage of bills introduced into Congress become laws? (15)
What is meant by ‘pork-barrel politics’, and what is its significance in Congress? (15)
‘Members of Congress are out of touch with the people who elect them.’ Discuss. (45)
To what extent does Congress remain a powerful body? (45)
To what extent does Congress still have a meaningful foreign policy role? (45)

Assess the factors that affect the role of the Vice-President. (15)
‘A president’s power inevitably declines in a second term in office’. Discuss. (45)
Assess the significance of the Executive Office of the President. (15)
Assess the constraints on the President’s role as Commander-in-Chief. (15)
How important is the Executive Office of the Presidency? (15)
How important is the role of the Vice President? (15)
What are the most significant factors that influence a President when choosing the Cabinet? (15)
How much influence does the President have over the legislative process? (15)
How do Presidents veto legislation, and how significant is the presidential veto? (15)
What are ‘executive orders’, and how significant are they for presidential power? (15)
‘Presidents have only the power to persuade.’ Discuss. (45)
‘The power of the President is limited to the power to persuade.’ Discuss. (45)
To what extent do Presidents control foreign policy? (45)
‘Presidential careers can never live up to expectations.’ Discuss. (45)

To what extent has the Roberts Court witnessed a revival of conservative activism? (45)
What is judicial review, and why is it controversial? (15)
‘The power of the Supreme Court cannot be justified in a democracy’. Discuss. (45)
Why has the process for the appointment of Supreme Court Justices been criticised?
Using examples, explain the limitations on the Supreme Court’s powers. (15)
To what extent have Supreme Court Justices reflected the political views of the Presidents who nominated them? (15)
What has been the effect of appointments to the Supreme Court since 2005? (15)
Explain the significance of Supreme Court appointments since 2004. (15)
In what ways is the independence of Supreme Court Justices protected? (15)
Why is the issue of the composition of the Supreme Court so controversial? (15)
How are Supreme Court judges appointed, and why has the process become so politically controversial? (15)
‘The Supreme Court should interpret the Constitution and its amendments by establishing their original meaning when they were adopted.’ Discuss. (45)
Are Supreme Court justices ‘politicians in disguise’? (45)
Does the Supreme Court have too much power for an unelected body? (45)
Judicial activism cannot be justified.’ Discuss. (45)
A political, not a judicial institution.’ Discuss this view of the Supreme Court. (45)
Can the Bill of Rights be respected while the threat of terrorism remains? (45)

How far was New Federalism successful in achieving its objectives? (15)
Why has the relationship between the federal government and the states since 2000 been controversial? (15)
Explain the impact of New Federalism on the power and influence of the states. (15)
How and why is federalism enshrined in the Constitution? (15)
Why, and to what extent, has there been disagreement about the constitutional importance of federalism? (15)
To what extent has federalism been eroded as a constitutional principle? (15)