1. A2 Assessment Objectives

2. In the exam marks will be allocated according to for the following:  Knowledge and understanding  Knowledge and understanding (AO1)  Intellectual skills  Intellectual skills (AO2)  Synopticity  Synopticity (AO2)  Quality of Communication  Quality of Communication (AO3)

3. Knowledge and Understanding needs to be accurate, relevant and detailed. It is demonstrated by :  Naming and defining terms and concepts  Naming and defining terms and concepts, eg With individualism, a one sentence definition will show some knowledge and understanding. Development and detail is shown by highlighting the difference between egoistical individualism and developmental individualism.  An awareness of the theories which characterise each ideology  An awareness of the theories which characterise each ideology, eg classical liberal support for free markets, anarchist view of the state.  An awareness of the sub-traditions within an ideology and the issues which divide them  An awareness of the sub-traditions within an ideology and the issues which divide them, eg traditional conservatism and the New Right  The ideas of thinkers within an ideology not  The ideas of thinkers within an ideology, eg Mill, Marx, Millet. Name-dropping is not enough - outline their ideas. Short quotes can be used.  Policies/actions which have been inspired by a particular ideological tradition  Policies/actions which have been inspired by a particular ideological tradition, eg New Labour view of common ownership. You do not need detailed knowledge of policies, they are a way of highlighting the implications and significance of ideas and theories.

4. Intellectual Skills These are based on:  analysis  evaluation  the identification of parallels, connections, similarities and differences  the identification of parallels, connections, similarities and differences (this will only be relevant in questions that specifically ask you to compare and contrast something)

5. Analysis means examining something closely by explaining it rather than merely describing it (which is knowledge). Eg, ‘Why is the distinction between sex and gender crucial to feminist analysis?’ Knowledge and understanding Knowledge and understanding marks are given for providing definitions of sex and gender. Analysis marks how Analysis marks are given for explaining how the distinction is used by feminists and why it has particular implications. Analysis is the key intellectual skill in short answers.

6. Evaluation Evaluation involves the ability to make judgements about the importance or value of something. Evaluation is the key intellectual skill judged in essays. Evaluation is the key intellectual skill judged in essays. This is why essays can start with the phrase ‘To what extent…. ‘or end with the word ‘Discuss’ two ways Evaluation marks can be picked up in two ways:  Assessing an argument.  Assessing an argument. This involves outlining an argument and then supporting, qualifying and/or undermining it.  Development of an argument throughout an essay.  Development of an argument throughout an essay. This requires consistency throughout the essay. Eg, with the essay ‘Is Nationalism is inherently aggressive and expansionist’ You need to decide on the line you are going to take and then argue this throughout the essay.

7. Synopticity awareness of competing viewpoints or perspectives. Synoptic assessment involves an awareness of competing viewpoints or perspectives. Essays will thus have a debate and discussion flavour. revolves around sub-traditions within an ideology This usually revolves around sub-traditions within an ideology and involves looking at the ‘true’ nature of an ideology and how far supporters of the same ideology disagree. Eg ‘To what extent has socialism been defined by its opposition to capitalism? Synopticity Synopticity is demonstrated by:  Identifying alternative viewpoints or perspectives on a question  Awareness of the nature and extent of the rivalry between these viewpoints  Awareness of the significance of the viewpoints for an understanding of the issue or question

8. Short Answer Questions

9.  Short Answer Questions are marked out of 15 5 marks for knowledge/understanding ; 7 marks for analysis and evaluation ; 3 marks for quality of communication.  You should spend 15 mins on each answer – 250 to 300 words.  Questions usually have two parts to them, eg:  What kind of equality do liberals support, and why ? (in this type of question students tend to ignore one part. In this case the ‘ why’ aspect).  To what extent do classical liberals and modern liberals disagree about freedom? (in this type of question it is less common for students to ignore one part of the question) not  Answers should be concise – you do not need an introduction or a conclusion. The questions focus on narrow parts of the specification – this will usually require a definition and explaining why or how concept you are looking at is important.  Answers require precise definitions, an accurate use of terminology, supporting facts, quotations and names.

10. Short answer questions tend to fall into the following categories:  Utopianism  Human nature  State  Authority  Individualist anarchism  Collectivist anarchism

11. Questions on Utopianism Typical questions: Explain the link between anarchism and utopianism. just focused on the negative (or pejorative) way positive Quality of answers depended on the depth of understanding of the term utopianism. Students often just focused on the negative (or pejorative) way in which the term is used and ignore the positive way in which the term can used. Utopianism relates to theorising about an ideal society. positively why Anarchism is positively linked to utopianism, by it supporters because they believe a society without political authority & the state is possible. Anarchists believe, that in the absence of the state, natural order will emerge (although individualist anarchists and collectivist anarchists disagree about why this natural order will exist). Most people reject this view, a stateless society unachievable

12. Questions on Human Nature Typical questions: What implications does the anarchist view of human nature have for the state? Outline differences between the anarchist and conservative views of human nature. What implications does the anarchist view of human nature have for the state? difference between an individualist and collectivist view of human nature why in both cases Although Anarchists generally have a positive view of human nature ; you need to explain the difference between an individualist and collectivist view of human nature and to explain why in both cases the state is unnecessary. Outline differences between the anarchist and conservative views of human nature. highlight the consequences With this question it is important to highlight the consequences of the different viewpoints.

13. Questions on the State Typical questions: Why have anarchists viewed the state as evil and oppressive? Why have anarchists believed that the state is unnecessary? How do the anarchist and Marxist views of the state differ? Why do anarchists object to constitutionalism and consent?

14. Questions on the State Why have anarchists viewed the state as evil and oppressive? unnecessary evil. evil’ Anarchists see the state an unnecessary evil. this question focuses on the ‘evil’ element. The state is seen as evil and oppressive because it  deprives people of their freedom  exploits through the tax system  is destructive, it fights wars.  corrupts everyone in positions of authority

15. Why have anarchists believed that the state is unnecessary? On what grounds do anarchists believe in the possibility of a stateless society? unnecessaryevil unnecessary Anarchists believe the state is an ‘ unnecessary evil’ – these questions focuses on the ‘unnecessary’ element. unnecessary Anarchists believe the state is unnecessary - natural order will arise in the absence of the state. This is based on an optimistic view of human nature and certain social institutions which help to regulate society and encourage positive human attributes. Collectivist Collectivist Collectivist anarchists claim human beings are naturally sociable and co-operative. Collectivist anarchists argue that common ownership, decentralisation and self-management encourage social harmony and personal development Individualist Individualist Individualist anarchists stress the importance of enlightened human reason. Individualist anarchists place faith in market competition as a means of ensuring order.

16. Questions on the State unnecessary evil. first ‘evil’ second unnecessary’ Anarchists see the state an unnecessary evil. The first question below focuses on the ‘evil’ element, the second question focuses on the ‘unnecessary’ element. Why have anarchists viewed the state as evil and oppressive? The state is seen as evil and oppressive because it  deprives people of their freedom  exploits through the tax system  is destructive, it fights wars.  corrupts everyone in positions of authority Why have anarchists believed that the state is unnecessary? why anarchists believe the state is dispensablenatural order The emphasis of this question is on why anarchists believe the state is dispensable, ie why natural order will exist in the absence of the state. Why have anarchists viewed the state as evil and oppressive?’ Many students ended up answering the question above, on ‘ Why have anarchists viewed the state as evil and oppressive?’

17. How do the anarchist and Marxist views of the state differ? Most Most anarchists agree with Marxists that the existing system exploits and is oppressive and should be destroyed and replaced with a system based on collective ownership. However: oppressive nature of the state is class based not a consequence of human nature. The state is a tool of the ruling class.  For Marxists, the oppressive nature of the state is class based not a consequence of human nature. The state is a tool of the ruling class. state oppression resides within human nature and the capacity for corruption For anarchists, state oppression resides within human nature and the capacity for corruption – all states are thus oppressive all  Since all states are oppressive, anarchist, reject the Dictatorship of the Proletariat and the belief state would 'wither away'. The state must be destroyed during the revolution, otherwise a new form of state oppression will emerge. The state will not give up its power, it will end up being run by party bureaucrats (rather than capitalists), but people would still be oppressed.

18. Why do anarchists object to constitutionalism and consent? This question requires clear definitions/explanations of constitutionalism and consent. Constitutionalism - the principle that govt power should be constrained by a framework of legal and institutional rules. Consent - the idea that the right to govern derives from the agreement of the governed, usually expressed through elections. Both constitutionalism and consent aim to check/constrain govt power. Anarchists see these claims as bogus – the state is fundamentally evil (coercive, exploitative and destructive ) and untameable. linked to the absolutely corrupting nature of power. Also, both principles are harmful - they recruit the masses into their own oppression by hiding the real nature of state power. Constitutionalism perpetuates the myth of limited government and respect for civil liberties. Consent perpetuates the myth of public accountability and rule in the public interest.

19. Questions on Authority Outline differences between the anarchist and conservative views of human nature. Authority is the right to command or make a decision. It is based on the acceptance of the right of certain people/institutions to issue orders/impose sanctions. value Conservatives value authority and believe it comes ‘from above’:  Security seeking creatures need authority. It helps to hold that society together and to give individuals a clearer sense of who they are and where they belong.  Authority needs to be imposed on people, because, having limited rationality, they often do not know what is good for them, eg children within the family. reject Anarchists reject authority because:  it limits the freedom of individual by making them conform, anarchists therefore reject authority. Anarchists reject not only the authority of the state but also the authority of other institutions, family, church, etc.  those in positions of authority will become corrupted - anarchists believe the act of governing itself is corrupting.

20. Questions on Individualist anarchism Typical question: How has anarchism been linked to ‘free market’ capitalism? This is straightforward, most students recognised the link between free market capitalism and individualist anarchism and anarcho-capitalism. why natural order Good responses explained anarchism and free market and them explained why free market result in natural order (markets are self-regulating due to the invisible hand). Questions on Collectivist anarchism Typical question: Explain the link between anarchism and collectivism. This is straightforward, virtually all students recognised the link between collectivism and collectivist anarchism. why natural order Good responses explained anarchism and collectivism and them explained why collectivism results in natural order (co-operative, sociability etc)

21. Essay Questions

22.  Essays require broader knowledge than short answer questions, but your answer still needs to be focused. Questions will be open ended - they may permit two or more legitimate answers.  Answers should have a beginning (introduction), a middle (argument) and an end (conclusion)  Introduction should:  Define key terms used in the question  Show an understanding of the point of the question  Outline argument to be adopted/conclusion favoured. This is optional  Argument should:  Make points in a logically related order  Consider contrasting viewpoints (for/against, +s/-s, benefits/drawbacks)  Support points with appropriate evidence (make a point and prove it)  Qualify points where appropriate (however, on the other hand etc)  Conclusions  Are needed (do not ‘sit on the fence’ unless the question invites you to)  Should be short and clear. Start with a one sentence answer to the question set (in conclusion…)  Summarise key factors that support your conclusion (no new material)

23. Essay questions tend to fall into the following categories: Utopianism Links with Individualism and collectivism Links with socialism or liberalism Viability of Anarchism

24. Anarchism and Utopianism/Viability of Anarchism Typical questions: To what extent is anarchism a utopian creed? Why, and to what extent, has anarchism been associated with utopianism? Utopianism relates to theorising about an ideal society. Utopianism has been viewed in two ways: Positivelyperfect society is achievable Positively, to refer to the belief that a perfect society is achievable. Such societies are usually characterised by absolute freedom, unregulated social harmony, universal economic well-being etc and are based on optimistic assumptions about human nature. Humans are perfectible sociable/ cooperative behaviour rationality Anarchists would see their creed as utopian in this sense, based as it is on the goal of a stateless yet peaceful and stable society. Humans are perfectible, either because of their capacity for sociable/ cooperative behaviour (the assumption of collectivist anarchism), or because of their high level of rationality (the assumption of individualist anarchism). Negativelyunrealistic or impracticable liberals and conservatives Negatively, as being unrealistic or impracticable. Anarchism is viewed as utopian in this sense by its critics. For example, liberals and conservatives reject the anarchist conception of human nature as fundamentally flawed. Marxists have argued anarchism gives no serious attention to political strategy, placing its faith instead in the deluded hope of a spontaneous popular uprising.

25. Anarchism and Utopianism/Viability of Anarchism Typical questions: ‘Anarchism is strong on moral principles but weak on political analysis.’ Discuss Do anarchists demand the impossible?

26. Anarchism and Individualism and Collectivism Typical questions: Is anarchism an example of individualism or collectivism? Is anarchism closer to individualism than collectivism Is anarchism closer to individualism than collectivism ? To what extent do anarchists agree about the nature of the future stateless society?

27. Anarchism and Liberalism and Socialism Typical questions: Is anarchism closer to socialism or liberalism? Is anarchism merely an extreme form of free-market liberalism?