AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 2, June 2025: Question 5
9 marks · Medium difficulty · Extended Response
Explain what is meant by 'individual liberty' and evaluate the extent to which citizens in modern Britain should always have the right to strike.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
05.1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘individual liberty’.
[1 mark]
05.2 ‘In modern Britain, citizens should always have the right to strike.’
Considering a range of views, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
In your answer you should consider the:
• key principles and values of modern British society
• role and history of trade unions in supporting and representing workers.
[8 marks]
Extra space
Section B
Rights and responsibilities
Answer all questions in this section.
For each multiple-choice question completely fill in the circle alongside the appropriate answer.
CORRECT METHOD WRONG METHODS
If you want to change your answer you must cross out your original answer as shown.
If you wish to return to an answer previously crossed out, ring the answer you now wish to select
as shown.
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
05 1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘individual liberty’. 1
Award 1 mark for a correct explanation of the term.
This could be:
a citizen should be free to act as they wish and/or make their own choices
and decisions.
Accept any other appropriate response (eg a citizen should be free from
persecution).
AO1 = 1
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
05 2 ‘In modern Britain, citizens should always have the right to strike.’ 8
Considering a range of views, to what extent do you agree or
disagree with this statement?
In your answer you should consider the:
• key principles and values of modern British society
• role and history of trade unions in supporting and representing
workers.
Level Marks Descriptor
Developed and sustained analysis of a wide range
of evidence and views related to the citizenship
debate.
4 7–8 Developed and reasoned justifications are
provided which relate to the evidence provided.
The justifications put forward form a coherent
argument.
Analysis of a range of evidence and views related
to the citizenship debate.
The evidence is used to support arguments but
3 5–6 these arguments are not always completely
12 developed, justified or evaluated.
Conclusions drawn from the arguments may not
be completely coherent.
Basic analysis of a limited range of evidence and
views related to the citizenship debate.
Weak arguments are made which are not
necessarily related to the evidence selected.
2 3–4
The arguments represent only a limited range of
viewpoints.
Some attempt is made to integrate the arguments
into concluding remarks.
Limited evidence presented and/or evidence
presented is not directly related to the citizenship
debate.
Insufficient range of differing viewpoints
1 1–2 considered.
Little or no attempt is made to analyse or evaluate
the evidence presented.
Little or no attempt is made to integrate the points
made.
00 Nothing to credit.
Indicative content
Points which may be included to agree with this statement
• In a democracy the right to withdraw your labour (go on strike) has
been central to the gradual improvement in the working and living
condition of UK citizens over the last 150 years.
• Without the ability to strike the power relationship between employee
and employer is very unbalanced – it is an essential tool for trade
unions (TUs) in order to compel employers to negotiate with them –
and therefore necessary to ensure fairness in a democracy.
• The right to ‘withdraw your labour’ can be seen to be derived from the
principal of individual liberty and is therefore a legitimate right all UK
citizens should have in a democracy.
• Current UK legislation regarding strike action actually legitimises strike
action as both democratic (eg ballot requirements) and respectful of
public safety (eg the police can’t take strike action).
Points which may be included to disagree with this statement
• Strikes can cause massive and unfair inconvenience to citizens who
have no power over Workers’ terms and conditions, while the actions of
workers employed in certain occupations going on strike could be seen
as ethically dubious (eg NHS, UK Fire Service) – this could be seen as
unfair in a democracy.
• TUs could be accused of pursuing/defending sectional and selfish
interests at the expense of national interests – as TUs are
unaccountable to the population at large this could be seen as
undemocratic. 13
• There are other methods available to TUs to either gain leverage over
employers (eg ‘work to rule’) or negotiate with them (eg arbitration –
Acas) which means limits upon strike action wouldn’t leave TUs
powerless.
• Strike action can be counterproductive for TUs as they can risk
increasing hostility towards them from the public and damaging the
industry in which their members work, leading to job redundancies, etc.
Accept any other appropriate response.
AO3 = 8
How to answer it
British Values, Individual Liberty & the Right to Strike
Subject: GCSE Citizenship Studies • Themes: Life in Modern Britain, Rights and Responsibilities, Trade Unions & British Values
- AO1 (Recall & Understanding): Defining core fundamental British values, specifically individual liberty.
- AO3 (Analysis & Evaluation): Evaluating whether citizens should always have the right to strike by contrasting fundamental rights with public safety, economic impacts, and civic responsibilities.
Define Individual Liberty
"Explain what is meant by the term 'individual liberty'."
✅ Acceptable Definitions (1 Mark)
Any accurate explanation showing freedom of personal choice and autonomy:
- A citizen should be free to act as they wish and make their own choices within the law.
- The freedom of an individual to exercise their rights without arbitrary state interference or persecution.
❌ Common Errors
- "Doing whatever you want": Liberty in a democratic society is not total lawlessness; it is bounded by the rule of law.
- Vague answers: Stating simply "being free" without explaining freedom of decision, belief, or action.
Essay: The Right to Strike in Modern Britain
"'In modern Britain, citizens should always have the right to strike.' Considering a range of views, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"
💡 Arguments to AGREE (Pro-Strike)
- Individual Liberty & Democracy: The right to withdraw one's labour is a fundamental democratic freedom, protecting workers from forced labour.
- Balancing Power Dynamics: Without collective bargaining and industrial action, individual workers have very little leverage against large corporations or the government.
- Historical Progress: Trade unions have historically secured major improvements, such as the 5-day work week, minimum wage, and workplace health and safety.
- Existing Democratic Safeguards: UK law already prevents reckless strikes via mandatory postal ballots and thresholds, showing it is a regulated democratic right.
💡 Arguments to DISAGREE (Limits on Strikes)
- Public Safety & Ethics: Strikes by essential public service workers (e.g. NHS doctors/nurses, fire services) directly endanger citizen safety and vital rights to health.
- Disproportionate Harm: Industrial action (like transport or school strikes) punishes regular citizens and businesses who have no say or role in the dispute.
- Sectional vs. Public Interest: Trade unions represent specific groups of workers, whose wage demands could exacerbate inflation or strain public funds at the expense of taxpayers.
- Alternative Resolution: Strikes should be a last resort; disputes can often be solved through mediation via ACAS, arbitration, or "working to rule".
Mark Scheme Assessment Grid (AO3 = 8 Marks)
| Level | Marks | Descriptor Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | 7–8 | Developed, sustained analysis of both sides with clear reference to British values and trade union roles. Reasoned justifications leading to a coherent, supported final judgement. |
| Level 3 | 5–6 | Sound analysis of viewpoints using evidence, but arguments may lack full depth, balance, or clear links to a final substantiated conclusion. |
| Level 2 | 3–4 | Basic points with limited range. Weak justification and relies mainly on general assertions rather than specific citizenship concepts. |
| Level 1 | 1–2 | Isolated or one-sided comments with little to no evaluation or relevance to the core debate. |
🧠 Exam Technique: Structuring an 8-Mark Response
- Introduction: Briefly define the right to strike and highlight the tension between individual liberty and public safety.
- Side A (Support): Link trade union history and British values (individual freedom, mutual respect) to why workers need the leverage of withdrawal of labour.
- Side B (Counter/Limit): Challenge the absolute word "always". Discuss emergency services (NHS, police) and the impact on innocent third parties.
- Evaluation & Conclusion: Answer "to what extent". For example: citizens should generally have the right, but it cannot be absolute where life or critical infrastructure is endangered.
❌ Examiner Watch-Outs
- Ignoring the prompt bullets: The question asks you to consider British values and trade union roles. Failing to mention both prevents you from reaching Level 4.
- Overlooking the word "always": Top students recognise that an absolute right ("always") is problematic in sectors like policing or emergency healthcare.
- Pure ranting: Avoid emotional or purely political complaints about trains being cancelled or low pay; keep your points grounded in legal and citizenship concepts.
Topics
3.2 Life in modern Britain · 3.3 Rights and responsibilities · 3.2.1 What are the principles and values that underpin British society? · 3.3.3 How has the law developed over time, and how does the law protect the citizen and deal with criminals?
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies examination, Paper 2, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.