Theory question 101
The State and Government(a) Define Government as an academic field of study.
(b) Describe any three branches of Government.
Show the model answer
(a) As an academic field, Government (political science) is the systematic study of the state, its institutions and processes: how political power is acquired, organised and used, and how people relate to those who rule.
(b) Any three, each described: political theory/thought (ideas of thinkers like Plato, Locke, Hobbes); comparative politics (comparing political systems of countries); public administration (how government policies are carried out by the civil service and agencies); international relations (relations between states and international organisations); political economy; constitutional law/government institutions.
Some markers also accept the organs (legislature, executive, judiciary) as 'branches'; best to describe branches of the subject.