To what extent were education and social welfare policies successful in achieving their aims in one democratic state?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that education and social welfare policies were successful in achieving their aims. Candidates may offer equal coverage of education and social welfare, or they may prioritize their assessment of one policy. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates must refer to the aims of education and social welfare policies in their selected state, for example, the objectives of the National Policy on Education in India and the Medicare programme in the United States. In appraising the extent to which education policies achieved their aims, responses may consider whether the policies met pre-set targets, improved exam performance or increased citizen participation in the democratic process. In considering the extent to which social welfare policies achieved their aims, candidates may refer to a wide range of factors including improvements in overall health, standards of living, by either internal or external measures, or employment. Candidates may argue that one type of policy was more successful than the other or may pose the argument that success in these areas was interconnected. Candidates’ opinions and conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that education and social welfare policies were successful in achieving their aims. A popular question with some good responses seen that demonstrated detailed, relevant knowledge of both education and social welfare policies. Weimar Germany and post-war Japan were popular examples.