Edexcel A-Level Politics | Component 3B | 2026 Predicted Paper | Mark Scheme Question 3(a)
Evaluate the view that the structure of the United Nations Security Council significantly limits the effectiveness of the United Nations in addressing contemporary global issues.
You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way.
(30 marks)
The command word “Evaluate” requires students to consider arguments both supporting and challenging the stated view, weigh their relative strength and reach a substantiated judgement. This is a 30-mark essay, with 10 marks each for AO1, AO2 and AO3, so detailed knowledge must be used to develop analysis and evaluation rather than simply described. Pearson suggests approximately 45 minutes for each Section C essay.
A conclusion is essential because AO3 is assessed, but evaluation should run throughout the essay in the form of comparisons and interim judgements. Pearson also specifies that a response which does not consider both sides in a balanced way cannot progress beyond Level 2.
Levels-based mark scheme
Level | Marks | Indicative qualities |
Level 0 | 0 | No rewardable material. |
Level 1 | 1–6 | Limited knowledge, with mainly descriptive points. Analysis is basic and evaluation is superficial. Judgements are asserted rather than supported. |
Level 2 | 7–12 | Some accurate knowledge and some relevant analysis. There is some attempt to consider competing arguments, but evaluation is uneven and conclusions tend to be generic. |
Level 3 | 13–18 | Mostly accurate, relevant knowledge supports reasonably developed analysis. Both sides are addressed and there is generally relevant evaluation, with some substantiated judgements. |
Level 4 | 19–24 | Accurate, well-selected knowledge consistently supports coherent analysis. Arguments for and against the view are developed and weighed, producing mostly justified judgements and conclusions. |
Level 5 | 25–30 | Thorough and detailed knowledge is selected effectively. Analysis is perceptive and sustained, with convincing connections between arguments. Evaluation is consistently substantiated and produces a fully focused, justified overall judgement. |
Pearson's current assessment guidance confirms the five bands for 30-mark Section C questions and stresses that AO1 should underpin AO2 and AO3 rather than functioning as detached factual material.
Indicative content
The Edexcel specification explicitly requires students to know the role and significance of the United Nations, including the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and International Court of Justice, together with their strengths and weaknesses. Crucially for this question, students must examine how Security Council membership, structure and the veto can prevent the UN from effectively addressing contemporary global issues.
Arguments supporting the view
1. The veto can prevent decisive Security Council action
The Security Council has 15 members, but only five are permanent members, China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. A negative vote by any permanent member prevents a substantive resolution from being adopted, even when the resolution otherwise has sufficient support.
Students could argue that this severely limits effectiveness because:
action can be blocked by the interests of a single permanent member
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