Evaluate the view that entrenchment is the most significant feature of the nature of the US Constitution.
“Evaluate” requires you to weigh competing arguments and reach a justified judgement about whether entrenchment is more significant than other constitutional features. For 30 marks, write a developed, balanced essay with a clear introduction, sustained analysis supported by precise examples, and a reasoned conclusion, rather than simply describing the amendment process.
Edexcel A-Level Politics: question context and source
Specification code: 9PL0
Component: 3A, Comparative Politics: USA
Topic: 1.1, The nature of the US Constitution.
The supplied specification explicitly identifies vagueness, codification and entrenchment within this topic. These should therefore form the main comparisons, although federalism, limited government and checks and balances can help illustrate their significance.
No source extract accompanied the question. This is an essay question, not a source-based question. The following authentic extract is included as supporting revision material, not as an official examination source.
Supporting source: Article V of the US Constitution
“when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof”
This extract identifies the ratification threshold for constitutional amendments. Article V also provides two proposal routes: approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, or a convention called following applications from two-thirds of state legislatures.
Edexcel A-Level Politics: indicative mark scheme
This is an original indicative mark scheme, aligned with Edexcel’s assessment framework. It is not an official Pearson mark scheme for this particular question.
Assessment objectives
Assessment objective | Marks | Application to this question |
AO1: Knowledge and understanding | 10 | Accurate understanding of entrenchment, codification, vagueness and relevant constitutional evidence. |
AO2: Analysis | 10 | Explain how these features affect constitutional stability, government and rights. |
AO3: Evaluation | 10 | Compare their significance and justify which matters most. |
Edexcel requires balanced consideration of the view and its alternative. Its essay guidance caps answers lacking this balance at Level 2. Balance does not require an indecisive conclusion.
Indicative levels of response
The following are concise paraphrases of the official level descriptors.
Level | Marks | Typical characteristics |
5 | 25–30 | Detailed, relevant knowledge; convincing analysis; sustained evaluation and justified conclusions. |
4 | 19–24 | Accurate knowledge; coherent analysis; mostly well-supported judgements. |
3 | 13–18 | Mostly accurate knowledge; relevant explanation; uneven but sometimes justified evaluation. |
2 | 7–12 | Some relevant knowledge; partially developed reasoning; limited support for judgements. |
1 | 1–6 | Superficial knowledge; limited analysis; largely unsupported conclusions. |
0 | 0 | No creditworthy material. |
Marks are awarded through a best-fit judgement, not by counting examples or paragraphs.
Indicative content supporting the view
1. Entrenchment makes constitutional change exceptionally demanding.
Constitutional rules cannot be rewritten through ordinary legislation.
Ratification requires three-quarters of the states, currently 38 out of 50.
There are 27 ratified amendments, with the most recent ratified in 1992.
These barriers protect the constitutional framework against temporary political majorities.
Evaluation: Entrenchment is particularly significant when measured by its contribution to continuity. Codification records the rules, but entrenchment makes them difficult to replace.
2. Entrenchment protects constitutional rights and restrictions on power.
The Bill of Rights gives constitutional protection to freedoms such as speech and religion. Entrenchment prevents an ordinary congressional majority from simply repealing these provisions.
Evaluation: This strengthens limited government. However, protecting constitutional wording does not guarantee agreement over its meaning or consistent enforcement.
3. Entrenchment preserves institutions and can obstruct reform.
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