Democracy Flashcards
2 features of a democracy
-Regular elections
For example, in the 2021 election 64%of people in Scotland voted
-freedom of assembly
For example, people protested during COP26 in Glasgow in 2021
2 Devolved Powers
-edication
For example, they introduced the national 5 exams in Scotland to replace standard grades
-health
For example, people under the age of 26 get free dental treatment
Reserved powers
-defence
For example, they approved the decisions to carry out airstrikes in Syria in 2015
-drug laws
For example, in November 2021 Boris Johnson the intention to take away the passports of people who use illegal drugs.
Roles of the first minister
-represent Scotland abroad
For example, 2016 USA
-leads Scottish government
For example, press briefings during covid
Powers of the first minister
-appoints cabinet
For example, Jenny Giruth was promoted to Cabinet Secretary for transport in 2022
-resuffle cabinet
For example, after the 2021 election fiona hylopp was removed from the Scottish cabinet
Why is the FM considered powerful
-Appoints cabinet
For example, Shurley-Ann Summerville was appointed edication secritary in 2022
-Reshuffles cabinet
For example, after the 2021 election Fiona Hyslopp was removed from the cabinet by Nicola Sturgeon
Why is the FM considered powerful
-They are the leader of the Scottish government
For example, Nicola Sturgeon approved the scottish governments responses and rules during the Covid-19 pandemic which were sometimes diffrent from those in England
-They are the leader of the largest party in the scottish parliament
For example, between 2016 and 2021 79% of all Scottish parliament bills were government bills
Rights of citizens in scotland
-Vote
For example, in the 2021 election 64% of people in scotland voted
-Protests
For example, climate change protesters protested in Glasgow during COP26
Ways Scots can get involved
-Vote
For example, in 2021 over 64% of people in sctoland voted
Reasons why Scots participate
-They know how important it is
For example, the scottish government is responsible for devolved matters such as health and edication
-they know they can make a diffrence
For example, after the 2014 refferendum around 100,000 people joineed SNP
Reasons why scots dont participate
-they feel excluded from politics
For example, their has only ever been one female first minister
-they do not think their participation will matter
for example, a few people have been protesting and voting the nuclear weapons at Faslane in Scotland for decades, but their still there
stages of an election
- campaign
- vote
- count
ways of campaigning
- canvising
- Leafliting
- Social media
- posters/billboards
- TV debates
- public rallies
pro of canvising
-the personal touch
con of canvising
-it may annoy people
pro of leafliting
gives alot of useful information about the party
con of leafliting
it is very expensive for parties
pro of posters/bilboards
large audience
con of posters/billboards
easily vandilised
pro of TV debates
can reach a large number of people at once
con of TV debates
people who watch may have already made up their mind
pro of public rallies
large crowds can atract the attention of the media
con of rallies
only people that su[pport the party will attend
Why are only some methods more effective than others
-Social media is more afectiuve than public meetings because more people will use social media than attend rallies
For example, the SNP have over 300K followers on Twitter and can interact with these people daily
-Leafliting is more effective than canvising because more people will receive leaflits whereas not everyone is canvassed by parties
For example, over 5 million leaflits were sent to homes across political parties during the 2021 election
Why are only some methods more effective than others
-Social media is more afectiuve than public meetings because more people will use social media than attend rallies
For example, the SNP have over 300K followers on Twitter and can interact with these people daily
-Leafliting is more effective than canvising because more people will receive leaflits whereas not everyone is canvassed by parties
For example, over 5 million leaflits were sent to homes across political parties during the 2021 election
