Prime Minister's Questions: 26th November 2014

PMQ's 

(Cameron - Miliband from 2 minutes 30 seconds)

Private schools have done too little for too long

Under a Labour government, the independent sector will work for the common good or lose its tax breaks - Tristan Hunt article, the Guardian.

AS & A2: Agree or disagree? Read the article & leave your comments.

Prime Minister's Questions: 19 November 2014

PMQ's 

(Cameron - Miliband from 2 minutes 20 seconds)

For AS unit 2: Labour's plans for House of Lords reform

Hilary Benn on Labour's plans for Lords reform

Elected Senate would replace House of Lords under Labour

St John’s pupils head to Downing Street

Click on this link to read about this incredible trip

AS & A2 Independent learning task (1)

For Monday read the article & answer the questions
you will need to post your answers in the comments box

A2 Viva Podemos: the left has shown it can adapt & survive in a crisis#

1. Where did Podemos come from?
2. Who are its audience & why do you think this is?
3. Why do you think that it is successful & can a similar party emerge here?

AS The West must be tough on Putin

1. Do we genuinely have something to fear from Putin's Russia? If so, why?
2. Do you agree with the author that the West should do something?
3. If so, what?

For AS & A2: David Cameron article

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/16/red-lights-global-economy-david-cameron

Upper 6th work for Friday - The crises of capitalism

In this RSA Animate, celebrated academic David Harvey looks beyond capitalism towards a new social order. Can we find a more responsible, just, and humane economic system?

Find Your Way: A level booklet by UK Parliament education service

This reference guide to Parliament is an educational resource designed for A-Level Government and Politics students. Click on this link & download the booklet

What is the House of Commons?

Explore the House of Commons, including how it all began, its main functions, how its members are elected and the role of MPs.

An introduction to Parliament

This short animation introduces the UK Parliament, including its structure, how laws are made, holding Government to account and how you can get your voice heard. View the whole film here in around eight minutes, or pick a chapter using the links below.

Chapters:
1:08 Parliament Structure: the function and make-up of the three parts of Parliament.
2:46 Holding Government to Account: how Parliament checks and challenges the work of Government.
3:51 Making Laws: follow the making of a law from proposal to becoming an Act of Parliament.
5:10 Elections and Voting: the different types of election and a look in detail at the general election.
6:35 Your Voice: how to have a voice in Parliament, from voting to petitioning and campaigning

What Nigel Farage really thinks

What really Nigel Farage thinks about the NHS, the BBC, workers rights, foreign aid & welfare

  Click on the link above. Film shows Farage’s September 2012 remarks in sharp contrast with Ukip’s  claims that it is opposed to privatisation of health service

How scrutiny works

Scrutiny Uncovered - the work of departmental select committees

US Elections -- How do they work?

European Arrest Warrant row...

Labour is the real winner after the European Arrest Warrant vote that wasn't

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/11/labour-real-winner-after-european-arrest-warrant-vote-wasn't

Cameron ‘dragged to vote in white tie’ as Gove whips operation flounders

http://politicalscrapbook.net/2014/11/cameron-forced-to-vote-in-white-tie-as-gove-whips-operation-flounders/

Labour to force vote on European arrest warrant after Tory fiasco. Opposition will hold debate after Conservatives break promise to allow MPs to have say on controversial power

http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/nov/11/labour-force-vote-european-arrest-warrant?CMP=twt_gu

10th November - this week's AS & A2 work

                                           The English city that wanted to 'break away' from the UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29953611

A2

Research questions for Roads to socialism –revolutionary socialism

1.    On what major Issues have socialists been divided? Why is the choice of a particular ‘road to socialism’ of crucial significance? Why were revolutionary tactics attractive to socialists in the 19^th century?

2.    How did revolution reflect socialists’ analysis of the state? Why do Marxists refer to the ‘bourgeois state’?

3.    What is the Marxist view of Universal suffrage? What alternative does a ‘class conscious proletariat’ have?

4.    Why did the ‘revolutionary road’ lead to dictatorship & political repression?

5.    Why did the appeal of revolutionary tactics fade? Two points – one from the book/one your own

Research questions for Roads to socialism – Reform – The inevitability of gradualism

1.    What similarity did the Fabian view have with Marx’s view? How do these views differ? Why were the Fabians optimistic?

2.    Why have some claimed that democratic socialism is based on a contradiction?

3.    Have socialist parties in government been successful in abolishing capitalism?

4.    What unforeseen problems does democratic socialism face?

5.    How have left-wing socialists responded to these questions?

Research questions for Marxism – Philosophy & Economics

1.    What is Marx’s philosophy of history - a ‘materialist conception of history’?

2.    What do you think Marx meant by ‘social being determines consciousnesses? What is ‘Base & superstructure?’

3.    What did Marx mean by the ‘dialectic’ & why is capitalism doomed?

4.    Explain alienation. (4 points)

5.    How did Marx define class? Explain why class is the chief agent of historical change.

Research questions for Marxism - Politics & Orthodox Communism

1.    Describe the nature of the proletarian revolution. When & where would the revolution occur? What would be the subjective element?

2.    Why do they suggest a ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’? What would happen to it?

3.    How did 20^th century Marxism deviate from Marx? Explain the Vanguard party.

4.    In practice what did dictatorship of the proletariat require?

5.    How did Stalin differ from Marx?

Research questions for Monday - A future for Marxism?

1.    What 2 factors shaped neo Marxism?

2.    What did Lukacs mean by reification?

3.    What did Gramsci mean by hegemony?

4.    Find arguments that suggest Marxism is dead?

5.    How would Marxists argue the contrary?

Prep due on Friday: Distinguish between fundamentalist socialism and revisionist socialism (15).

The fall of the Berlin Wall

25 years ago

PMQ's 5th November 2014

Prime Minister's Questions 5th November 2014 

Cameron/Miliband exchange from 3 minutes 40 seconds

UK Parliament tour

UK Parliament tour - Welcome to the Houses of Parliament

House of Commons Chamber

House of Lords Chamber

AS & A2 resources online

A useful set of free Politics Review resources

http://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/politicsreviewextras

                       There are also copies of Politics Review in the library.

The mansion tax & the video that went viral

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/04/griff-rhys-jones-mansion-tax-soft-option

An article well worth reading, challenging the argument that the mansion tax is unfair

The video of everyday sexism that went viral - 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman