Examine the effects of religious and secular law on the administration of two states, each chosen from a different region.

The question requires that candidates consider the interrelationship between religious and secular law and their effect on the administration of two states. The two states must be from different regions. Candidates may offer equal coverage of religious law and secular law, or they may prioritize their examination of one of them. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Whenever religious and secular law coexisted, candidates may wish to consider the clarity of their separation, and relative importance. Candidates may examine the effect of religious law on administration by focusing on mutual legitimization, or conversely on conflicts between rulers and religious leaders, as seen between Pope Innocent III and King John I over Stephen Langton. With regard to secular laws, candidates may wish to examine the effects of different types of laws on administration. Candidates may discuss traditional legal systems, such as Xeer law in Somalia, or uniform legal codes, such as the Mongol Yassa. It would be valid to consider the effects of secular law on administration by examining legal limits placed on governing bodies, for example the Magna Carta. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the interrelationship between religious and secular law and their effect on the administration of two states chosen from different regions.