Evaluate the methods of government and administration of two rulers, each from a different region.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the methods of government and administration of two rulers. The two rulers must be from different regions. Candidates may offer equal coverage of both rulers or they may prioritize their discussion of one of them. However, both rulers will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to models of government and to the extent of the centralisation of power with a large bureaucracy, for example the Song dynasty; or a decentralised system with powerful private individuals appointed by the ruler, for example Shogunate Japan. Candidates may refer to the limits to royal power, for example Magna Carta in England or Cortes in Spain. They may also evaluate the use of detailed records of wealth transfer or the use of a census system, as used by the Mongols. Other relevant factors may be evaluated, for example the use of tools for unification (roads, a common language or state religion), but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the methods of government and administration of two rulers, each chosen from a different region. There were a few responses seen with the rule of Genghis Khan as a popular example. Responses demonstrated some good knowledge of the topic.