Evaluate the view that the congressional legislative process is too difficult for effective government.
“Evaluate” requires you to weigh the obstacles within the congressional legislative process against its benefits and reach a substantiated judgement. For 30 marks, develop a balanced essay using precise examples, assessing whether the process prevents effective government or provides necessary scrutiny and encourages agreement.
Edexcel A-Level Politics: question, source and specification
Question: Evaluate the view that the congressional legislative process is too difficult for effective government.
You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way. (30 marks)
Specification code: 9PL0
Component: 3A: Comparative Politics, USA
Relevant specification content: Section 2.2.2, covering the legislative process, its strengths and weaknesses, differences between the chambers and the policy significance of Congress. Section 2.3, concerning congressional effectiveness and the significance of parties, is also relevant.
The following is an original indicative mark scheme aligned with Pearson’s assessment framework. It is not an official Pearson mark scheme for this exact question.
Edexcel A-Level Politics: indicative mark scheme
Assessment objectives
Assessment objective | Marks | What a strong answer demonstrates |
AO1: Knowledge and understanding | 10 | Accurate knowledge of bicameralism, committees, Senate procedures, presidential involvement and relevant legislation. |
AO2: Analysis | 10 | Developed explanations of how legislative requirements obstruct policy, improve scrutiny or encourage compromise. |
AO3: Evaluation | 10 | Sustained judgements about whether these difficulties are excessive, using clear criteria for effective government. |
Key distinction: Effective government is not simply government that passes many laws. It also involves responding to problems promptly, maintaining essential services and producing workable, accountable policy.
Indicative assessment levels
Level | Marks | Typical characteristics |
5 | 25–30 | Thorough knowledge, perceptive analysis and sustained, substantiated evaluation leading to a convincing conclusion. |
4 | 19–24 | Accurate knowledge, clear analytical reasoning and mostly developed evaluation supporting a justified conclusion. |
3 | 13–18 | Generally sound knowledge and some developed analysis, but uneven evaluation or partially supported judgements. |
2 | 7–12 | Some relevant knowledge, limited explanation and weakly supported evaluation. |
1 | 1–6 | Limited knowledge, largely descriptive assertions and little effective evaluation. |
0 | 0 | No creditworthy material. |
These descriptions summarise the generic levels. Pearson’s guidance states that answers which do not consider both views in a balanced way cannot progress beyond Level 2.
Indicative content supporting the view
1. Multiple opportunities to block legislation encourage gridlock.
Bills can fail to advance through committees or receive floor consideration.
Both chambers must approve identical legislative text.
Differences must be resolved, sometimes through a conference committee or an exchange of amendments.
The president can veto legislation, with an override requiring two-thirds support in each chamber.
Analysis: Support at one stage does not guarantee progress at another. Divided government and internal party disagreements make agreement more difficult.
Evaluation: These requirements become particularly damaging when they prevent essential action, rather than simply rejecting a controversial proposal.
2. Senate procedures can prevent a majority from acting.
A filibuster can delay or prevent a vote on most ordinary legislation.
Cloture normally requires three-fifths of senators duly chosen and sworn, usually 60.
This creates opportunities for a minority to obstruct legislation supported by a majority.
Evaluation: The 60-vote requirement normally concerns ending debate, not final passage. It should not be described as a universal constitutional requirement for passing legislation.
3. Legislative deadlock can disrupt government services.
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