Higher Modern Studies Paper 2017

Evaluate Essays Asking you to make a judgement about how good or bad something is. Read the question carefully… This question is asking you to evaluate ONE electoral system only. Looking at effectiveness in relation to representation of the voters. Can focus on FPTP, AMS or STV systems.

Possible Evaluative terms Highly Mostly Slightly Only Strong Weak Majority Few Influential Probable Successful Maintained Constant Consistent Considerable Inflated Limited Difficult Likely Clearly Definitely Possible Widely praised Increasingly Decreased Valuable Significant Important Critical Vital Very Relevant Effective Can be used in conjunction with each other e.g. Highly relevant

Essay Structure Introduction Answer in 1 or 2 sentences – no marks! Middle Section (main body) Follow a KEKE format for each paragraph - 3 paragraphs will suffice. Conclusion Concluding comment – short and sweet, one/two sentences to sum up!

Essay Conclusion “To conclude...” Refer to all the elements you have discussed in your essay. When completing an Evaluate Q – MAKE AN OVERALL EVALUATION!

Essay Structure In this specific essay there are two possible styles which you can follow. The following slides will highlight the two styles with exemplar paragraphs. Choose ONE style and write your entire essay in that format.

Essay Style 1 In this style of essay, you will discuss the positive and negative aspects of your chosen voting system within the one paragraph. All 3 KEKE paragraphs in the essay will follow this structure. In the final conclusion of this 12 mark essay you must then highlight your OVERALL JUDGEMENT of whether the system provides fair representation for voters or not. K – why this voting system does provides fair representation E – evaluate positively K –further knowledge on the system E – evaluate negatively. See the next slide for an example of this type of paragraph using STV as the chosen voting system.

Since STV was introduced for the first time in 2007 for Scottish Local Council Elections, it can be argued that it provides for fair representation as it is likely that STV will lead to coalition led councils or councils with “No Overall Control (NOC)” being formed (K). This can be seen to be fair as it results in more parties having a say in the running of local government in Scotland, which is a more realistic representation of the electorate’s viewpoints (E – positive evaluation). For example, in 2007 only 2 of Scotland’s 32 Councils were controlled by one party – Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. Indeed, following the May 2017 all of the 32 councils in Scotland are NOC councils. This shows that STV is better for representation as it is likely to lead to more voters’ views being heard and policies introduced that will appeal to a wider range of voters (K). However, it could be argued that STV does not lead to fair representation as councillors in a coalition or NOC council may have to compromise and dilute their policies meaning that voters are not getting the promises they voted for. (E – negative evaluation)

Essay Style 2 In this style of essay, you will discuss the positive and negative aspects of your chosen voting system in separate paragraphs. You must ensure you do both positive and negative aspects in the essay as a whole to gain full marks. K – why this voting system does provides fair representation E – evaluate positively K –further knowledge on the system E – evaluate positively again. In another paragraph simply switch positive evaluations for negative evaluations In the final conclusion of this 12 mark essay you must then highlight your OVERALL JUDGEMENT of whether the system provides fair representation for voters or not. See the next slide for an example of this type of paragraph using FPTP as the chosen voting system.

First Past the Post is a plurality system used to elect UK MPs First Past the Post is a plurality system used to elect UK MPs. It is a winner takes all system in which the candidate wins a parliamentary seat and gets to represent their constituency if they win more votes than the person in second place; the party with the most seats gets to form the Government. For example in 2015 the Conservative Party formed a majority government at Westminster (K). Many people, and businesses, believe that FPTP is a fair system of voting as it is likely to lead to only one party being in charge which will mean more economic and political stability as the Government does not have to rely on the support of other parties (E - positive). It also means that they can focus on carrying out their manifesto policies and run the country; David Cameron’s 2015 government carried out its promise to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union (K). This political and economic stability is good for our economy and jobs as companies are more likely to invest in countries that are stable and not in countries in which ruling parties are always falling out with each other. (E – positive again)