Conservative Labour UKIP Liberal Democrats Green BNP SNP Plaid Cymru Others Total

*2004 seats adjusted to the current total of 72 Source B: UK European Parliament election results 2009 Votes 4,198,394 2,498,226 2,381,760 2,080,613 1,303,745 943,598 321,007 126,702 1,282,887 15,136,932 % Share 27·7 16·5 15·7 13·7 8·6 6·2 2·2 0·9 8·5 100 Seats won 25 13 13 11 2 2 2 1 3 72

Conservative UKIP Labour Liberal Democrats Green BNP SNP Plaid Cymru Others Total

Question 1 Use only the information in Sources A and B. Between the 2004 and 2009 elections for the European Parliament there were some significant changes in support for political parties. What conclusions can be drawn about the most significant changes in support for the political parties between the 2004 and 2009 European election results? 6

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Source C: The 2008 US elections were historic in a number of ways. The Democratic nominee Barack Obama defeated his Republican opponent, John McCain, to become the first African-American President of the United States. Obama won 365 Electoral College votes compared to McCain’s 173 and the Democrats regained the Presidency for the first time since Bill Clinton held office. Obama also won the most votes ever recorded for a Presidential candidate. In total 66,882,230 voters supported Obama compared to 58,343,671 for John McCain. The election was also notable for the huge amount of money raised and spent by the candidates. The two main candidates raised and spent over $1 billion between them. This did not include money raised and spent by candidates running for other elections held that year for the Senate, House of Representatives and State Governors. Source D: 2008 US election results at Congressional and State Governor levels House of Representatives (435 members– all up for election) State Governors (50 Governors– 8 up for election)

Senate (100 members– 35 up for election)
Preelection Result

PostPrePostPrePostChange election election Change election election Change election

Democrats Republicans

51* 49

20 15

+8 –8

59* 41

236 199

+21 –21

257 178

28 22

+1 –1

29 21

(*include 2 independents who usually vote with the Democrats in the Senate)

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Source E: 2008 Presidential Election: voting by region and type of community (%) 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Northeast Midwest Obama McCain

South

West

Urban Suburban

Rural

Source F: Voting in 2008 Presidential Election by gender (%)

FEMALE Others — 1

MALE Others — 3

43 56
McCain Obama

49
Obama

48
McCain

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Marks Source G: Voting by age, income, religious affiliation and race in the 2008 Presidential Election (%) Age Obama McCain 18–29 66 32 30–44 52 46 45–64 50 49 65+ 45 53

Income Obama McCain

Under $15– $15,000 30,000 73 25 60 37

$30– 50,000 55 43

$50– 75,000 48 49

$75– $100– $150– $200100,000 150,000 200,000 000– 51 48 48 51 48 50 52 46

Religion Obama McCain

Protestant 45 54

Catholic 54 45 AfricanAmerican

Jewish 78 21

None 75 23

Race Obama McCain

White 43 55

Latino 67 31

Asian 62 35

95 4

Question 2 Use only the information in Sources C, D, E, F and G. The 2008 US elections saw sweeping victories for the Democrats with significant gains from the Republicans at all levels of government. Barack Obama’s winning margin over John McCain was convincing in all areas and across all sections of US society. To what extent does the information in Sources C, D, E, F and G support this view? 14

Candidates should answer THREE questions. ONE from Section A—Political Theory ONE from Section B—Political Structures ONE from Section C—Political Representation Each question carries 20 marks.

PB X235/302 6/910

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Section A—Political Theory Answer ONE question from this section. Marks A1. Compare and contrast the key features of Liberalism and Conservatism, using the (20) works of Locke and Burke.

A2.

Marxism provides an analysis of the state that conflicts with the pluralist model of the state. Discuss. (20)

A3.

To what extent is legitimacy crucial to the distinction between power and authority? You should refer to the works of Lukes and Weber in your answer. (20)

Section B—Political Structures Answer ONE question from this section. Marks B4. Compare and contrast the links between elected representatives and their constituents in the UK Parliament with those in either the Scottish Parliament (20) or the US Congress.

B5.

An independent judiciary is essential to safeguard the constitution and citizens’ rights. Discuss with reference to the UK and USA or Scotland. (20)

B6.

Compare and contrast the checks and balances that are in place to curb the powers of the UK Prime Minister with those of either Scotland’s First Minister or the (20) President of the USA.

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Section C—Political Representation Answer ONE question from this section. Marks C7. Explain with examples the key advantages and disadvantages of using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system as used in Scottish Local Government elections. (20)