In the dark days of Covid time, confined to quarters in lockdown, the authors, William Scally and Tim Bourke retained their sanity by engaging in what proved to be an all-engrossing contest: devising a complex and broad-reaching series of questions that would brighten the pandemic days. The result was a slim volume that made a fine debut title.

Later, during 2022, Bourke and Scally reviewed and fully revised the first edition, eliminating certain material and introducing some 230 brand new questions and solutions. This culminated in the book you hold in your hand – a second edition boasting a generous make-over, with a broad range of updated puzzles for the discerning reader.

The Ultimate Politics and History Quiz contains five hundred thought-provoking queries, together with their exceptionally diverse solutions. The questions traverse the world of Irish and international politics and history, and while some of them are relatively straightforward, many pose quite the conundrum. The brain that likes a challenge will relish this book.

Tim Bourke and William Scally have both worked in various areas of industry, education and politics.

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This well-researched text was written specifically to address Unit AS1 of the current CCEA Government and Politics AS Level specification. It covers the Government and Politics of Northern Ireland and has been through a meticulous quality assurance process.

It considers the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, the amendments made in subsequent agreements (St Andrews, Hillsborough and Stormont House) and examines the functions and responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the executive and various political parties.

Included in the book are tasks, practice essay titles, key terms and concepts, as well as a detailed glossary, index and examination preparation guide.

Areas explored include:

* The principles, content and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the changes made to it by subsequent agreements.

* An analysis of the Assembly, including its three main functions (representation, legislation and scrutiny), and its independence from the Executive.

* A look at the Executive Office and the Executive as a whole – how it disappointed, how it can determine legislation and policy, the divisions within it, and its ability to function as a power-sharing government.

* An evaluation of the Northern Ireland political parties, including their role in government, their respective backgrounds, strategies and policies, and how they have changed since 1998.

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– Review all the developments relevant to A-level specifications in US politics from the last year, with strong links between topics and focused suggestions for further reading
– Develop your confidence with expert analysis you can draw on both throughout your course and in the exams
– Enhance your knowledge of the news to build a bank of up-to-date examples linked to the specifications, helping you to develop persuasive arguments for your essays
– Use our updated exam skills feature to clarify how to use the information you have just learned in your exam

Chapters:
– The January 6 Committee
– ‘The legislative branch’: does Congress fulfil its legislative role adequately?
– ‘I control foreign policy’: has the president retained primacy?
– The Supreme Court 2021-22: has Chief Justice Roberts lost control of his Court?
– Abortion in the USA

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