Democracy Flashcards
Give 6 features a democracy
Freedom of Speech Education Protest Right to Assemble Join a Political Party Join a Trade Union
Describe the differences between a democracy and a dictatorship
People in a democracy have a right to vote for representatives from a wide list of parties whereas people in a dictatorship can vote for one party or person
People in a democracy have free speech and can criticise their leaders whereas in a dictatorship criticism is punished.
People in a democracy have a right to demonstrate whereas people in a dictatorship cannot (demonstrations are illegal).
People in a democracy can have independent press, television, trade unions, and pressure groups whereas in a dictatorship press, television, trade unions, and pressure groups are controlled by the Government.
Describe the rights and responsibilities of election
Rights –
To elect our representatives and vote on issues such as Scottish Independence
Responsibility -
To accept the decision of the majority even if we disagree (for example leaving the EU).
Describe the rights and responsibilities of voting
Right –
To vote in an election when aged 18 or over (16 for some Scottish elections).
Responsibility –
To be responsible citizens and use our vote in an attempt to influence our representatives.
Describe the rights and responsibilities of speech
Right –
To express our views in speech and in print, and social networking sites by writing to newspapers.
Responsibility –
To avoid telling lies and slandering individuals, since this is illegal.
Describe the rights and responsibilities of protests
Right –
To protest and try to change Government legislation such as the recent increases in student fees in England and Wales.
Responsibility –
To protest within the law and respect the rights of others.
Describe a referendum
A referendum is a ballot in which voters, not their representatives in Parliament, pass judgement on a particular issue.
Describe developed powers
Devolved powers are the transfer of powers from the central government to a lower level, usually local or regional bodies.
Since 1999 we now have a Scottish Parliament, and we elect 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and a Scottish Government every 4 years to be responsible for the developed powers given by the UK Parliament.
Give 6 devolved powers
Health Education and Training Social Work Housing Local Government Police and Fire Services
Describe reserved powers
Reserved powers are powers that were kept by the UK.
At least once every five years we take a part in a UK general election, which is held throughout the UK to elect 650 members of the Parliament and a UK Government. The house of commons and the UK Government make decisions on such issues as economy etc.
Give 6 reserved powers
Defence Data Protection Immigration Equal Opportunities Trade and Industry Employment Legislation
Describe participation
Participation means to take part.
People in Scotland can take part in Democracy in a number of ways
Describe voting in Scotland
Elections, general elections, referendum, local, and Scottish Parliament
The referendum includes Scottish independence (2014) and Brexit (2016). Elections are held every 4-5 years.
Describe the expression of opinion/freedom of speech in Scotland
Can do it on twitter and Facebook etc. (Online/social media)
Can write a letter to newspapers, criticise politicians e.g. Nicola Sturgeon, Boris Johnson
Describe joining a political party in Scotland
Can join political parties like the conservatives, SNP, labour, greens, UKIP, liberal democrats. You can join a party of you agree with their ideas. SNP has around 100,000 members and it costs around £60 per year to becomes a member.
Describe campaigning in an election campaign in Scotland
Going house to house, tweeting, or putting leaflets through doors.
Describe Scotland’s history
Prior to 1707, Scotland was an independent nation. In 1707, Scotland voluntarily joined with England and Wales to form the UK. This was known as the treaty of union. The new country was known as the United Kingdom.
Give similarities between Scotland and the rest of the UK
They speak the same language
They have the same race (majority of both countries)
Culturally the same
Give differences between Scotland and the rest of the UK
Accents Legal System Education System Official Churches (Church of England, Church of Scotland) Sporting Events/Teams
Describe the union
For nearly 300 years the union was the settled win of Scotland and England. Scottish people elected MPs to go to London and represent them in the House of Parliament. There was no Scottish Parliament until 1999.
Demand for a Scottish Parliament grew during the 1980s and in 1997 there was a referendum and over 70% of Scots voted for a Scottish Parliament.
Describe Scottish politics
From 1979-1997, the Conservative Party was in power in the UK. During this period, many policies that the Conservatives introduced under Margaret Thatcher, such as the poll tax in 1989, were highly unpopular in Scotland. Because of the unpopularity of the Conservatives in Scotland, many people began to disillusioned with how Scotland was being governed. This led to continued pressure for Scotland (and Wales) to have devolution and thus their own parliament.
Describe devolved and reserved powers
When the Scottish Parliament opened, it received various powers to amend and create laws in certain areas which would apply to Scotland.
Describe the powers of the Scottish Parliament
In 1999, the Parliament in Westminster developed powers from the UK Parliament to the new Scottish Parliament. The Parliament in Westminster has given powers to the Scottish Parliament. This process is called devolution. Westminster kept control of certain powers. These are called reserved powers.
Describe devolution
Devolution means power given from one body to another body. Power was given from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament.
Describe education
In Scotland there is a different education system.
For example, Scotland has Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and free tuition and fees for universities whereas England has GCSE’s, AS-Levels, A-Levels, and tuition and fees for universities have to be paid by individuals themselves.
Scotland’s grading system is also different as they have Primary 1-7 and them Secondary 1-6 whereas England has Primary 1-6, Secondary 7-11, and Sixth Form College.
Describe health
In Scotland you have NHS Scotland, and you get free prescriptions whereas in England there is NHS England, and you have to pay around £8 for prescription. In Scotland, alcohol laws are also different compared to England.
Describe laws and the police
In 2013 the 7 police departments merged together to form Police Scotland. Scotland also has different drinking laws.
The Scottish blood limit is much lower than England with 50 milligrams of alcohol for every 100ml of blood in Scotland and 80 milligrams in England.
In Scotland you can only buy alcohol from 10am – 10pm whereas in England you can continue to buy alcohol anytime after 10pm.
The Scottish Minimum Unit price was risen to 50p per unit in May 2018 to try to reduce alcohol consumption all around Scotland. As well as this they banned smoking in public places in 2005.
Describe COVID-19 guidelines
The COVID-19 guidelines are very different in Scotland compared to the UK. In Scotland masks are still mandatory, pubs and night clubs open later, and vaccine passports are needed in order to enter certain places like night clubs and pubs.
Describe the parliament and government
The parliament passes laws whereas the government runs the country.
Who is the Scottish Parliament headed by?
The Presiding Officer
Who is the Scottish Government headed by?
The First Minister
Who is the UK Government headed by?
The Prime Minister
Who are the others in the Scottish Parliament?
Has 129 MSP, researchers, support staff, and Scottish Parliamentary staff
Who are the others in the Scottish Government?
Has cabinet secretaries, ministers, civil servants, and special advisors.
