Edexcel A-Level Politics | Paper 2 | 2026 Predicted Paper | Question 7(a) Mark Scheme
Question 7 Mark Scheme: Nationalism
Question 7 is a 24-mark Political Ideas essay, worth 8 marks each for AO1, AO2 and AO3. The command phrase “To what extent” requires students to compare areas of agreement and disagreement within nationalism, use the prescribed thinkers to illuminate those strands, and sustain a reasoned judgement about how far the different forms of nationalism agree.
The Edexcel specification requires students to study liberal nationalism, conservative nationalism, anti/post-colonial nationalism and expansionist nationalism, together with the ideas of Rousseau, Herder, Mazzini, Maurras and Garvey. It also explicitly identifies the concepts of progressive and regressive nationalism, inclusive and exclusive nationalism, chauvinistic nationalism, self-determination and internationalism.
Levels of response
Level | Marks | Characteristics |
Level 1 | 1–4 | Superficial knowledge, limited comparison and largely unsupported judgements. |
Level 2 | 5–9 | Some accurate knowledge and emerging comparison, but analysis and evaluation are only partly developed. |
Level 3 | 10–14 | Mostly accurate knowledge, focused comparison and generally effective evaluation with some supported judgements. |
Level 4 | 15–19 | Accurate and carefully selected knowledge, consistent comparative analysis and mostly substantiated judgements. |
Level 5 | 20–24 | Thorough knowledge, perceptive and sustained comparison, consistently substantiated evaluation and a fully focused, justified conclusion. |
Pearson's examiner reports stress that stronger nationalism answers compare the strands, rather than placing them alongside one another or comparing thinkers as though the thinkers themselves were the strands. They also reward answers that establish a clear judgement on “extent” from the introduction and sustain it throughout.
Question 7(a)
Question
To what extent do the different forms of nationalism agree that society should be transformed rather than preserved?
The key distinction is between nationalism as a progressive force for change and nationalism as a regressive or conservative force seeking continuity, cohesion or a return to established national traditions. Students should not simply list the four types of nationalism. They need to compare what each believes society should become.
The specification itself defines progressive ideas as those moving towards improving society and regressive ideas as those seeking a return to a former or less advanced state.
Indicative content
Arguments suggesting agreement that society should be transformed
All nationalists want society to reflect the nation more fully.
Nationalists see the nation as a meaningful political and social community.
Self-determination means that nations should decide how they are governed.
Even where nationalists disagree over the form of society, they share the idea that political arrangements should correspond more closely to national identity.
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