Lyssna senare
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In this episode, we focus on whether political parties adequately serve democracy. To do so, they must represent the public rather than their donors, they must hold government to account and provide meaningful routes for citizens to participate. I argue that political parties fall far short of performing these functions and, in doing so, do a disservice democracy.Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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AN UPDATE TO THIS EPISODE IS AVAILABLE - check out episode 160
To be truly representative, parliament should not only resemble the people it serves. It should gain its legitimacy from fair electoral systems. It should also contain the views and opinions from multiple parties. Finally, parliament should incentivise MPs to act with their conscience and stand up for the interests of their constituents, rather those of their party. The UK parliament ultimately fails all of these tests. This episode is dedicated to the memory of James Furlong RIP.
Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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Michael Foley argued that prime ministers seek to separate themselves from the forces of constraint, be it parliament, cabinet or their own party. Yet most prime ministers are seldom able to stay on their lofty perch for long. Rival power centres, inept leadership and poorly handled events will do for any prime minister and even for ones with a modicum of popularity. The parliamentary system isnāt built for a president, although few prime ministers appear to have been informed, and continue to act like West Wing fanboys while in office.
Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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Defenders of the Electoral College argue that, to coin a recent Trumpian phrase, the cure might worse than the disease. Yet surely there are better alternatives than allowing the loser to win. Clinton won three million more votes than Trump in 2016, but the current arrangements barred her from becoming the first female president. Trumpās appeal to base instincts and to white nationalism are exactly the things that the founding fathers feared. It was why they created the Electoral College in the first place - to protect the people from themselves. Yet it turned out the people were wiser than the Electoral College, which gave us nativism (Trump) instead of wise albeit flawed experience (Clinton). If The Electoral College cannot serve its purpose it should either be scrapped (unlikely) or manipulated (possible) in such a way to ensure that the winner of the popular vote always becomes president. One alternative, the NPVIC, gives us that assurance and deserves our consideration. Whether anyone can understand it is another matter!
Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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The House of Commons and House of Lords both have a range of tools with which to hold government to account, most notably the various forms of questioning that takes place on the floors of both chambers and the valuable committee work takes place off from them. Yet the House of Lords is hindered by its lack of legitimacy and the restrictions placed upon it, and with the restoration of a large majority in the House of Commons, the advantage now rests with the executive.
Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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AN UPDATE TO THIS EPISODE IS AVAILABLE - check out episode 162
While FPTP is held up as promoting strong government and stability, the evidence of the past few years has shown otherwise. While the 2019 General Election may yet see a return to strong, single party government with a clear mandate, the alternatives on offer would provide the UK with a chance to heal the wounds of Brexit. The electoral system we currently have cannot sever us from tribalism. Rather, it is the cause of it. Thus, electoral reform is an idea whose time has come. (PAPER 1) Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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In this legacy episode recorded in 2017, Matthew and Nick debate the House of Lords and come to different conclusions about whether to reform it. We discuss whether legitimacy actually matters compared to much of the good work that is performed by the UKās upper chamber. (PAPER 2)Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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FYI - AN UPDATE TO THIS EPISODE IS AVAILABLE - CHECK OUT EPISODE 133 Nick is joined by Matthew Phillips to debate whether the UK should adopt a US-style codified constitution. While mimicking America is not fancied by either host, there are certainly lessons to be learned from many other countries. Avoiding an overly powerful executive and protecting rights can be achieved by moving away from the UK’s un-entrenched arrangements. But who would write the document? This show was recorded in 2017 when The A Level Politics Show was very young indeed. Forgive our talks about tea and hotdogs - we knew not of what we were doing.
Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just £1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support. -
Nick examines whether the checks and balances contained in the US constitution are effective in avoiding tyranny and in encouraging bypartisanship. He argues that they do neither. (PAPER 3) Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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In this first episode of our new series, Nick delves into liberalism (PAPER 1), and whether modern and classical liberals agree about the role of the state. We also touch upon some all important exam technique for the 24 mark questions on ideologies (Edexcel specification). Enjoy the podcast, then why not subscribe to PLUS PLUS PLUS!? For just Ā£1.99 per month, you will receive TWO additional episodes per month that will automatically appear in your podcast feed as soon as they become available. You'll also get access to the full back catalogue of A Level Politics Show podcasts. Furthermore, you can cancel anytime - no obligations and no hidden costs. Just lots of learning. Just clickā ā hereā ā to get started. If you like reading as well as listening, then you can also try my revision book, which can be purchased from ā ā hereā ā . Oh, and don't forget to leave a nice review wherever you listen to your podcasts, so that more people can find out about us. Thanks for your support.
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If your nascent bourgeoisie isn't big enough or rich enough to industrialize your Empire, just call Sergei Witte. He'll know what to do.
