Politics
Additional Examples for
Outcome 4
Intermediate 1 and 2
8992
Spring 2001
HIGHER STILL
Politics
Supported Self Study
Intermediate 1 and 2
Support Materials


CONTENTS
Unit specifications for Outcome 4
Intermediate 1
Intermediate 2
Guidance for teachers/lecturers
Sample Questions and Marking Instructions: Intermediate 1
Sample Questions and Marking Instructions: Intermediate 2
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
UNIT SPECIFICATION: OUTCOME 4
INTERMEDIATE 1:
POLITICAL THEORY: AN INTRODUCTION
Outcome 4
Evaluate simple evidence and reach conclusions on an issue related to political theory.
Performance criteria
a) Contrasting views on an issue related to political theory are identified correctly.
b) Contrasting views on an issue related to political theory are described simply and
correctly.
c) Examples of bias are recognised and described simply and correctly.
d) Conclusions reached are valid.
Evidence requirements
PC (a) written or oral identification of two contrasting views.
PC (b) simple written or oral description of two contrasting views.
PC (c) simple written or oral description of one example of bias.
PC (d) simple written or oral conclusion which must be related to the points made in
PC (b) and PC(c).
Political issues: choose one from the individual and the state, equality, responsibility
and accountability, freedom and rights.
POLITICAL STRUCTURES: AN INTRODUCTION
Outcome 4
Evaluate simple evidence and reach conclusions on an issue related to political
structures.
Performance criteria
a) Contrasting views on an issue related to political structures are identified
correctly.
b) Contrasting views on an issue related to political structures are described simply
and correctly.
c) Examples of bias are recognised and described simply and correctly.
d) Conclusions reached are valid.
Evidence requirements
PC (a) simple written or oral identification of two contrasting views.
PC (b) simple written or oral description of two contrasting views.
PC (c) simple written or oral description of one example of bias.
PC (d) written or oral conclusions, which must be related to the points made in PC (b)
and (c).
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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Political issues: choose one from written versus unwritten constitutions, presidential
versus parliamentary democracy, unitary versus federal (devolved) government.
POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR: AN INTRODUCTION
Outcome 4
Evaluate simple evidence and reach conclusions on an issue related to political
behaviour.
Performance criteria
a) Contrasting views on an issue related to political behaviour are identified
correctly.
b) Contrasting views on an issue related to political behaviour are described simply
and correctly.
c) Examples of bias are recognised and described simply and correctly.
d) Conclusions reached are valid.
Evidence requirements
PC (a) written or oral identification of two contrasting views.
PC (b) simple written or oral description of two contrasting views.
PC (c) simple written or oral description of one example of bias.
PC (d) simple written or oral conclusion which must relate to the points made in PC
(b) and PC (c).
Political issues: choose one from direct versus indirect participation, non-violent
versus violent action, party membership and interest group membership.
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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POLITICAL THEORY: AN INTRODUCTION INTERMEDIATE 2
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence and reach conclusions on an issue related to political theory.
Performance criteria
a) Contrasting views on an issue related to political theory are described correctly.
b) Examples of bias and selective argument are described correctly.
c) Conclusions reached are valid.
Evidence requirements
PC (a) written or oral description of two contrasting views.
PC (b) written or oral description of two examples of bias and two examples of
selective argument.
PC (d) written or oral conclusion which must be related to the points made in PC (a)
and PC (b).
Political issues: choose one from the individual and the state, equality, responsibility
and accountability, freedom and rights.
POLITICAL STRUCTURES: AN INTRODUCTION
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence and reach informed conclusions on an issue related to political
structures.
Performance criteria
a) Contrasting views on an issue related to political structures are outlined correctly.
b) Examples of bias and selective argument are recognised and described correctly.
c) Conclusions reached are valid.
Evidence requirements
PC (a) written or oral description of two contrasting views.
PC (b) written or oral description of two examples of bias and two examples of
selective argument.
PC (c) written or oral conclusions, which must be related to the points made in PC (a)
and PC (b).
Political issues: choose one from written versus unwritten constitutions, presidential
versus arliamentary democracy, unitary versus federal (devolved) government.
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR: AN INTRODUCTION
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence and reach conclusions on an issue related to political behaviour.
Performance criteria
a) Contrasting views on an issue related to political behaviour are outlined correctly.
b) Examples of bias and selected argument are recognised and described correctly.
c) Conclusions reached are valid.
Evidence requirements
PC (a) written or oral description for each of two contrasting views.
PC (b) written or oral description of two examples of bias and two examples of
selective argument.
PC (c) written or oral conclusions which must relate to the points made in PC (a) and
PC (b).
Political issues: choose one from direct versus indirect participation, and non-violent
versus violent action, party membership and interest group membership.
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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GUIDANCE FOR TEACHERS/LECTURERS
In Politics, Outcome 4 at all levels relates to the evaluation of evidence. This skill
assesses the student’s ability to compare different sources to reach conclusions. These
sources may take a variety of forms including bar graphs, pie charts, tables, written
text, short statements and political cartoons.
In the first year of implementation of courses in Politics, it became apparent that both
tutors and students were unfamiliar with this skill and required additional support and
examples of Outcome 4 questions.
This support material has two main purposes:
 to provide additional examples for Politics students to practice this skill on
appropriate materials, levelled at both Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2
 to provide additional guidance for staff, illustrating a variety of sources for use
with students with marking guidelines appropriate to the national standard as
exemplified by SQA in November 2000.
In Politics Outcome 4, the main difference between Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2
relates to the number and difficulty of the sources that the student must compare. At
Intermediate 1, two straightforward sources form the basis of the required
comparison. Students are asked to give a limited number of reasons to show that a
view is biased, exaggerated or selective in its use of facts. At Intermediate 2, there are
usually three sources in a question. It is the increased number and also the greater
complexity of the sources that adds to the greater level of difficulty of the task at
Intermediate 2. As this is an evaluation activity, it is important to note that students
should not bring in background knowledge in their answers at either level.
Over time teachers/lecturers will become more familiar with the structure and format
of this type of question. A wealth of appropriate statistical and issue oriented
information is available in the media and texts that can form the basis when
developing examples of Outcome 4 activities/questions for use with students.
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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INTERMEDIATE 1
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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POLITICAL THEORY – INTERMEDIATE 1
Question A1
Study Sources 1 and 2 below then answer the question which follows:
Source 1
Source 2
The British Standard
Country Weekly
Opinion polls in Britain clearly
show that the British public dislike
hunting and favour its abolition.
Fox hunting is cruel, with the
hounds tearing apart a small
animal. The majority of people in
the towns are against this barbaric
tradition.
Most people who live in the
country support fox hunting. It
provides employment and is the
accepted way of life in the country.
We must retain our traditional
liberty.
‘Fox hunting should be abolished in Britain’
James Hunter
Using Sources 1 and 2 above, provide two pieces of evidence ‘for’ and ‘against’
the view of James Hunter.
(4 marks)
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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POLITICAL STRUCTURES – INTERMEDIATE 1
Question B2
Study Sources 1 and 2 below, then answer the question which follows:
Source 1
Population of USA by Ethnic Group
90
80
Percentage
70
60
50
Population
40
30
20
10
0
Whites
Blacks
Others
Ethnic Group
Source 2
Arrests for Burglary %
Arrests for Murder %
2
2
29
43
55
69
Whites
Blacks
Others
Whites
Blacks
Others
‘Many Black people regard the American justice system as
being unfair to them.’
Jean Irvine
a) Using Source A and B above, give two reasons which support the view of Jean
Irvine.
(4 marks)
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR – INTERMEDIATE 1
Question C3
Study Sources 1 and 2 below, then answer the question which follows:
Source 1
USA 2000 Presidential Election Result
Popular Vote:
Gore
Bush
49 252 780
49 036 353
Source 2
How Americans voted
(the percentage of selected groups supporting the two main candidates)
Bush
Gore
Women
43
54
Men
53
42
Whites
54
42
Blacks
90
8
‘Most Americans will be happy that Bush has won
the 2000 Presidential Election.’
Senator Grant Smith
(a)
Using Sources 1 and 2 above, give two reasons why Senator Grant Smith could
be accused of exaggeration.
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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POLITICAL THEORY – MARKING INSTRUCTIONS
Question A1
(a) Students should make reference to the sources when providing evidence. Four
marks in total, up to two marks for evidence ‘for’ and up to two marks for
evidence ‘against’ e.g.
Evidence ‘for’:
Fox hunting is cruel. It is a barbaric tradition.
Majority of people in town oppose.
Evidence ‘against’: People in the countryside support fox hunting.
It provides employment.
Political Structures – Question B2
(b) Students should make reference to the sources when providing evidence of the
unfairness of the American justice system. Four marks in total, two marks for
each reason.
Reason 1
Blacks only make up 12% of the population, yet 29% (more than
double their population) are arrested for burglary.
Reason 2
The figures are even more stark for arrests for murder, where
over half of those arrested are black, despite, as stated, making up
only 12% of the population.
Political Behaviour – Question C3
c)
Students should make reference to the sources when providing evidence. Four
marks in total; up to two marks for each reason.
Credit reference to the following:
While bush won the Electoral College vote, he did not win the Popular Vote.
Therefore, more people preferred Gore.
Women, and especially Blacks, will be unhappy with the results. Ninety per
cent of blacks voted for Gore, not Bush
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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INTERMEDIATE 2
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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POLITICAL THEORY – INTERMEDIATE 2
Question A1
Study Sources 1 and 2 below, then answer the questions which follow:
Source 1
2000 USA Presidential Election Results
Popular Vote
George W Bush
Al Gore
49 036 353
49 252 780
Electoral College
George W Bush
Al Gore
270
262
George Bush elected President
Source 2
Time/CNN Opinion Poll: 10/11/2000
Would you consider it legitimate if, when all the counting is done, George
W Bush becomes President because he won the most votes in the
Electoral College, even though more people across the country voted Al
Gore?
Legitimate outcomes
Not a legitimate outcome
59%
36%
Would you approve or disapprove of an amendment to the Constitution to
do away with the Electoral College and base the election of the President
on the total vote cast across the nation?
Approve
Disapprove
63%
29%
Is the current situation with the Presidential Election a constitutional
crisis, a serious problem or not a serious problem?
Constitutional crisis
Serious problem
Not a serious problem
15%
55%
28%
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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‘The American people are horrified that George W Bush is
President, despite more people voting for Al Gore.’
Bill Watson, Democratic supporter
(a) Using only Sources 1 and 2, explain why Bill Watson could be accused of being
selective in the use of facts.
(4 marks)
(b) Using Sources 1 and 2 above, what two conclusions can be reached about the
legitimacy of the result of the USA 2000 Presidential Elections?
(5 marks)
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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POLITICAL STRUCTURES
Question B2
Study Sources 1, 2 and 3 below, then answer the question which follows:
Source 1
EU Spending 1998 (% )
7
5
6
35
47
Administration (5%)
Foreign Policy (6%)
Agriculture (47%)
Others (7%)
Aid to regions (35%)
Source 2
EU Spending on Agriculture 1993-99
(in European Currency Units)
(d)
(c)
(b)
(a)
0
(a) 34,000
10,000
20,000
(b) 37,940
30,000
40,000
(c) 42,800
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
50,000
(d) 43,100
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Source 3
Common Agricultural Spending 1998
ECU per person
Austria
1190
Belgium
88
Britain
75
Denmark
224
Finland
131
France
164
Germany
78
Greece
277
Ireland
474
Italy
85
Luxembourg
70
Netherlands
88
Portugal
110
Spain
154
Sweden
94
‘Spending on Agriculture in the European Union (EU) costs
far too much and the cost is still going up. All EU countries
will support a reduction in Agricultural spending.’
View of a British MP
(a) Study Sources 1 and 2 and give two pieces of evidence to support the view of the
British MP.
(4 marks)
(b) Study Source 3 above, explain why the British MP can be accused of
exaggeration.
(4 marks)
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POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR
Question C3
Study Sources 1, 2 and 3 below, then answer the question which follows.
Source 1
Voters turn-out in European Elections
(selected European countries)
1979
1989
1999
Greece
79
80
70
UK
32
36
24
Belgium
92
91
90
Denmark
47
46
50
Ireland
85
81
71
Spain
---
55
64
Source 2
Support of EU membership
Results of a 2000 Survey
Spain
Ireland
Greece
Bad Thing
Good Thing
UK
Denmark
Belgium
0
20
40
60
80
100
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Source 3
‘It is clear that some people in the European Union no longer
support the European Union; voter turn-out has collapsed.’
Pat Brown
(a)
Using Source 2, explain why might Pat Brown be accused of exaggeration?
(4 marks)
(b)
Using Sources 1 and 2, what two conclusions can be reached about support for
membership of the European Union?
(4 marks)
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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MARKING INSTRUCTIONS - INTERMEDIATE 2
Political Theory
Question A1
(a) Students should make reference to the Sources. Credit students with four full
marks for the following information:
It is true that more people voted for Al Gore than George W Bush. However,
Bush did win the electoral college vote (Source 1).
The majority of the public are not ‘horrified’ with the result. The majority of
American voters accept the outcome as being legitimate (59%) (Source 2).
(b) Students should make reference to the sources when providing evidence. Credit
students with four full marks for the following two conclusions:
Although Gore won the popular vote with a narrow margin (490 million for Bush,
49.2 million for Gore), Bush had a clear victory in the electoral college (Source
1).
Although this might seem unfair, the public regard the outcome as being
legitimate with only 36% in the CNN opinion poll regarding the result as being
not a legitimate outcomes (Source 2).
Political Structures
Question B2
(a) Student should make reference to the sources when providing evidence. Credit
students with four full marks for the following:
Agriculture consumes almost half (47%) of European Union spending and this
supports the view of the British MP that ‘the EU costs far too much’ (Source 1).
Agriculture spending continues to rise from 34,000 million ECU in 1993 to
43,100 by 1999 and this supports the view of the British MP that ‘the cost is still
going up’ (Source 2).
(b) Students should make reference only to Source 3. Students can gain four marks
in total. Students should identify the exaggerated statement, ‘All EU countries
will support a reduction in Agricultural spending” (1 mark).
Credit students with four full marks for the following range of information:
It is true that EU countries do not receive equal share of spending on agriculture
and, therefore, some countries will support its reduction.
Countries, such as Ireland, Denmark, France, Greece and Spain do very well;
Ireland, for example, receives the highest. EU figure with a staggering 474 Ecu
per person. These countries will not wish to reduce spending as they will receive
less.
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In contrast, some countries receive less than a quarter of what Ireland receives.
Luxembourg, Germany, Britain and Italy, etc., are a range of countries that fall
into this category. They will support a reduction in spending.
Political Behaviour
Question C3
(a) Candidates should make reference only to Source 2 when providing evidence.
Students can gain up to four marks.
Students should identify the exaggerated statement: ‘voter turn-out has
collapsed’.
(1 mark)
Credit students with three full marks for the following range of information:
While it is true that voting has declined in most of the countries, it is an
exaggeration to say it has collapsed. (The British vote is the lowest). The vote
turn-out in Belgium, Greece and Ireland is still over 70% and, for example, the
turn-out in Belgium has only gone down from 92% in 1979 to 90% in 1999.
The voting in Denmark and Spain has actually increased in this period. Denmark,
47% in 1979 to 50% in 1999, and Spain from 55% in 1989 to 64% in 1999.
(b) Students should make reference to the sources when providing evidence. Credit
student with four full marks for the following two conclusions:
Overall, there has been a decline in the voters turn-out across Europe. This is
especially true in Britain, where the voting turn-out has declined from 32% to
24%. However, it has increased in Denmark and Spain. (Source 1)
It is clear that, in all the countries, the majority of European citizens regard
membership as being a ‘good thing’. In Ireland 83% regard membership as a
good thing and only 8% regard it as a bad thing. Even in Britain, 36% of the UK
public support membership, with only 1 in 4 (25%) regarding it as a bad thing.
Politics: Additional Examples for Outcome 4 (Int1/2)
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