Modern Studies - Democracy in Scotland Flashcards

Power & Decision Making

• Democracy Features:
  • Voting age: 16 in Scotland.
  • Freedom of speech: Expression without repercussions (excluding hate speech).
  • Right to protest: Citizens can demonstrate against government decisions.
  • Free press: Media can publish information without censorship.
• Devolved Matters:
  • Health: Addressed through measures like Louisa Jordan Hospital and free dental care for under 26s.
  • Education: Subject to reforms, including replacing the SQA.
  • Income Tax: Scotland sets its own rates and bands.
    • For example, for 2025/26, Scotland chosen to continue to have six income tax rates and bands, with a starter rate (19%), basic rate (20%), intermediate rate (21%), higher rate (42%), advanced rate (45%) and top rate (48%). This structure was introduced with effect from April 2024.
  • Social Security: Responsible for 11 benefits, including Scottish Child Payment.
    • For example, Scottish Child Payment is a weekly payment that parent/carers can get for every child they look after who's under 6 years of age. It was initially introduced in 2021 and was £10 per week but was doubled in April 2022 to £20 per week. It is currently £27.15 in 2025/26.
• Roles of the First Minister:
  • Accountable to Scottish Parliament: Through First Minister’s Questions (FMQs).
  • Appointing the Cabinet: Chooses cabinet secretaries for specific portfolios.
• Powers of the First Minister:
  • Reshuffling the Cabinet: Can change cabinet positions.
  • Setting Government Agenda: Decides parliamentary discussion topics.
  • Head of Government: Represents Scotland domestically and internationally.

Participation

• Political Rights:
  • Voting: Expressing voice in elections/referendums; responsibility to use the vote.
  • Freedom of Speech: Expressing opinions without repercussions (subject to laws).
  • Right to Protest: Gathering to protest important issues (peacefully and legally).
  • Joining Pressure Groups: Influencing decision-makers (within legal boundaries).
• Opportunities for Participation:
  • Voting: 16+ can vote in elections.
  • Signing Petitions: Demonstrating public feeling on issues.
  • Protesting: Legal means to gain attention from politicians.
  • Standing for Election: Encouraging discussion of ideas, even without winning.
  • Joining a Political Party: Shaping party policies and campaigning.
• Campaign methods
  • TV Debates: Party leaders debate on TV.
  • Manifestos: Parties publish policy lists.
  • Leaflets: Parties deliver policy snapshots.
  • Canvassing: Candidates speak to voters door-to-door.
  • Party Election Broadcasts: Parties air clips on TV.
• Role of the Media in Campaigns:
  • Inform: Keep public updated on issues.
  • Educate: Help people understand complex issues.
  • Persuade: Influence public opinion and voting.

Influence

• Aims of Trade Unions:
  • Persuade: Improve pay.
  • Legal Protections: Ensure fair treatment with representation.
  • Improved Working Conditions: Address hours, resources, abuse.
• Trade Union Methods:
  • Negotiation: Convince management for better conditions.
  • Lobbying: Engage with government and MSPs.
  • Overtime Ban: Refuse extra hours.
  • Go Slow: Reduce productivity.
  • Work to Rule: Strictly adhere to contract duties.
  • Strike: Withdraw labor; ultimate action.

Representation

• Role of the MSP (Parliament):
  • Debates: Discuss problems and new laws.
  • Committees: Scrutinize specific areas of parliament business.
  • Ask Questions at FMQ’s: Question government ministers.
• Role of the MSP (Constituency):
  • Attend Community Events: Promote local business and engage with locals.
  • Hold Surgeries: Provide dedicated time for constituents to discuss issues.
  • Raise Constituent Concerns in Parliament: Discuss constituent issues in Parliament.
• Reasons for Underrepresentation (Women & Ethnic Minorities):
  • Lack of Role Models: Limited representation in top positions.
  • Sexism/Racism: Abuse faced by potential MSPs.
• Purpose of Committees:
  • Inquiries: Investigate issues and recommend future actions.
  • Hold the Government to Account: Scrutinize and question the government.
  • Scrutinize Legislation: Review proposed bills.
• Composition of Committees:
  • Membership from all Parties: Representation proportional to party size.
  • Leadership: Shared between parties based on election results.
  • Scrutinising: Members are not part of the government.

Voting Systems

• Features of AMS:
  • Two Votes: For constituency and region.
  • Two Types of MSP: Constituency and regional.
  • More Proportional: Seat allocation closer to vote share.
• Outcomes of AMS:
  • Coalition Government: Parties share power.
  • Minority Government: Largest party governs alone, making deals.
  • Fairer Representation: Seats reflect votes.
• Advantages of AMS:
  • Fairer for Smaller Parties: Enables seat gain proportional to votes.
  • More Proportionate: Combines FPTP and proportional representation.
  • Greater Choice: Voters choose individuals and parties. Voters can vote for a different party in both ballots if they would like to, and are more likely to be represented by a range of different political parties in parliament. Annabelle Ewing is the constituency MSP for Cowdenbeath, but people are also represented by the MSP's for the Mid-Scotland & Fife Region, like Clare Baker.
  • Coalitions: Can create consensus on policies.
• Disadvantages of AMS:
  • Coalitions: Can be undemocratic as voters don't directly vote for them.
  • Too Complicated: Two votes can confuse voters. In the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections, 15,000 ballot papers were rejected.
  • Tactical Voting: Voters may vote for someone they don't fully support.
  • Too Much Power for Smaller Parties: Allows parties with little support to influence decisions. The Scottish Green Party helped pass legislation despite only having around 9% of the total vote.

Knowledge and Understanding Questions

• Past Paper Questions
  • Power and Decision Making
    • Describe, in detail, two devolved matters the Scottish Parliament has responsibility for. (2024)
    • Explain, in detail, why the first minister is very powerful. (2023)
    • Describe, in detail, two key features of democracy in Scotland. (2022)
    • Describe, in detail, two devolved matters the Scottish Parliament has responsibility for. (2019)
    • Explain, in detail, why the first minister is very powerful. (2018)
  • Participation
    • Describe, in detail, two political rights individuals have in a democracy. (2024)
    • Describe, in detail, two ways which individuals can participate in election campaigns. (2023)
    • Describe, in detail, two rights individuals have in a democracy. (2019)
    • Explain, in detail, two reasons why political parties use the media during election campaigns in Scotland. (2019)
    • Explain, in detail, why many people in Scotland choose not to vote in elections. (2018)
    • Describe, in detail, two political rights that people in Scotland. (2017)
    • Explain, in detail, the reasons why some political parties’ election campaigns are successful during Scottish Parliament elections. (2017)
    • Describe, in detail, two ways political parties’ campaign in Scottish Parliament Elections. (2016)
  • Influence
    • Explain, in detail, why either trade unions or pressure groups are influential within a democracy. (2024)
    • Explain, in detail, why the media is very influential within a democracy. (2023)
    • Describe, in detail, two methods used by the group you have selected to gain influence in a democracy. (2018)
      • Trade Unions.
  • Representation
    • Explain, in detail, why committees are an important part of the Scottish Parliament. (2024)
    • Describe, in detail, two ways MSPs represent their constituents. (2022)
    • Describe, in detail, two ways MSPs represent their constituents in the Scottish Parliament. (2018)
  • Voting Systems
    • Describe, in detail, two features of the Additional Member System. (2023)
    • Explain, in detail, either the advantages or disadvantages of the Additional Member System. (2022)
    • Explain, in detail, the advantages of the Additional Member System. (2016)
• Model Answers
  • Describe, in detail, two key features of democracy in Scotland. (2022)
    • One key feature of a democracy is voting. Another key feature of a democracy is the right to protest.
  • Describe, in detail, two ways political parties’ campaign in Scottish Parliament Elections. (2016)
    • One way that political parties can campaign during a Scottish Parliament election by canvassing. Another way that political parties can campaign during a Scottish Parliament election by playing Party Election Broadcasts on TV.
  • Explain, in detail, why either trade unions or pressure groups are influential within a democracy. (2024)
    • One way that trade unions are influential is because they can have large memberships. Another way that trade unions are influential is because they can use industrial action to influence change.