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NAT5 Modern Studies > Democracy in Scotland > Flashcards

Democracy in Scotland Flashcards

1
Q

What are devolved powers?

A

Matters that used to be decided by Westminster Parliament that are now decided by the Scottish Parliament.

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2
Q

What are reserved powers?

A

Matters that are decided by Westminster Parliament on behalf of the whole UK.

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3
Q

Give 3 examples of devolved powers.

A

Education
Housing
Heritage
Emergency Services
Some Transport (road maintenance, buses ect.)
Health
Environment
Energy
Social Work
Sports and Arts

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4
Q

Give 3 examples of reserved powers.

A

Gambling
Immigration and Nationality
Foreign Policy
Tourism
Some Transport (Maritime Law)
Medical Ethics
Social Security
Constitution
Defense
Finance and Economy

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5
Q

Give an example of the devolved power of some transport.

A

Transport Scotland is currently (2023) in the process of delivering a plan for National Transport Strategy across with a vision for a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system.

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6
Q

Give an example of the devolved power of education.

A

In 2019, the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills committee investigated the success of curriculum for excellence by reviewing SQA results and used this data to make improvements to the framework of Scottish Education.

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7
Q

Give an example of the devolved power of criminal responsibility

A

The Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 was passed by the Scottish parliament and came into force December 2021 meaning children under the age of 12 can no longer be charged or arrested.

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8
Q

Give an example of the reserved power of immigration.

A

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. Free movement between the UK and the EU ended on 31 December 2020 and on 1 January 2021, the UK implemented a points-based immigration system that priorities skills and talent over where a person comes from. The UK Parliament maintains control over Scottish borders.

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9
Q

Give an example of the reserved power of military.

A

The UK Parliament maintains control over all British military forces and makes decisions about how they are deployed. In August 2021, the UK Government chose to withdraw from Afghanistan, but the Scottish Parliament had no say in the decision.

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10
Q

Give 3 examples of the features of a democracy.

A
  • The right to vote in an election.
  • Freedom of speech.
  • Freedom to protest.
  • Right to organise opposition parties.
  • RIght to privacy.
  • Right to a fair trial.
  • Right to join a pressure group.
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11
Q

Give an example of the right to vote in an election.

A

64% of Scotland turned out to vote in the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Elections and the SNP won with 64 MSPs.

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12
Q

Give an example of freedom of speech.

A

January 2023, ‘The Scotsman’ described FM Nicola Sturgeon as being in ‘rough waters’ stating that the SNP independence referendum plans are unsupported by members of her own party.

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13
Q

Give an example of freedom to protest.

A

10/01/23; Striking teachers gathered outside of COSLA’s head office in Haymarket, Edinburgh in protests over pay.

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14
Q

Give an example of the right to organise opposition parties

A

Douglas Ross is the current leader of the opposition - Scottish conservative party (31 MSPs vs. 64 SNP MSPs.)

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15
Q

Give an example of the right to privacy.

A

Scottish laws prevent organisations from sharing your personal data without your permission.

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16
Q

Give an example of the right to a fair trial.

A

Article 6 of the Human Right Act is upheld in Scotland - right to a fair and timely public hearing if charged with a crime.

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17
Q

Give an example of the right to join a pressure group.

A

Friends of the Earth Scotland campaign for environmental justice and a just transition to a fossil fuel free Scotland.

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18
Q

Who is the First Minister elected by? (power)

A

All MSPs

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19
Q

What is the First Minister head of? (power)

A

The Scottish Cabinet.

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20
Q

What does the First Minister have a lead on? (power)

A

Devolved issues

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21
Q

What does the First Minister encourage? (power)

A

International trade and tourism

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22
Q

Who is the First Minister appointed by? (power)

A

The Monarch

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23
Q

What does the First Minister select?

A

Their cabinet.

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24
Q

Give 3 roles of the First Minister.

A

-Responsible for creation and development of Scottish Government policy
-Promotes and represents Scotland at home and abroad.
- Represents Scotland’s devolved interests within the UK.
- Chairs and appoints MSPs to Cabinet to oversee Government policy the UK
- Spokesperson for Scottish interests.
-Is accountable for their record of Government to the rest of Parliament

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25
Q

Give an example of the First Minister being responsible for the creation and development of Scottish Government policy.

A

Nicola Sturgeon vows to “carefully consider” alcohol advertising ban in wake of issues from alcohol brands.

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26
Q

Give an example of the First Minister promoting and representing Scotland at home and abroad.

A

Nicola Sturgeon congratulated Joe Biden when he became president of the USA, as well as Kamala Harris, who became the first woman to be Vice President.

27
Q

Give an example of the First Minister representing Scotland’s devolved interests in the UK

A

During the Coronavirus pandemic in 2021-2022, Nicola Sturgeon spoke out about the unfairness of Scotland having to follow England in terms of Covid laws, even though healthcare is a devolved power.

28
Q

Give an example of the First Minister chairing an appointing MSPs

A

For example, Keith Brown was appointed to the Cabinet by Nicola Sturgeon as the Secretary for Justice and Veterans.

29
Q

Give an example of the First Minister being the spokesperson for Scottish interets

A

Nicola Sturgeon gave daily briefing in 2020 in terms of the coronavirus to show awareness and transparency from a senior point of view to make the public feel safer.

30
Q

Give an example of the First Minister being accountable for their record for the government to the rest of parliament.

A

First Minister’s question time, every Thursday - Military involvement in Ukraine conflict is discussed often during question time.

31
Q

What is the role of broadcast media in elections?

A

All broadcast media must remain neutral - they cannot take sides. (this was seen to be the case in the Independence Referendum.)

This is because this is the way most people get their information about politics.

They are expected to give fair coverage to the main political parties.

More time is given to parties with a large amount of support in the last election e.g. SNP.

32
Q

What is the role of party political broadcasts during elections?

A

All major political parties produce PPB to encourage you to vote for them where they will discuss their policies, qualities, and what they will do if elected/have done.

Each party get the same amount of air time on TV and radio so it’s fair.

They also get the same slots - usually after the 6pm news, prime time TV slots.

For example, in 2022, the SNP released a controversial party political broadcast in which they “throw a tory.”

33
Q

What is the role of leader debates during elections?

A

Allows the public to ask the leaders questions about how they would run the country and justify their policies.

Also allows leaders to debate one another about their policies.

34
Q

What is the role of print media (newspapers) during elections?

A

Newspapers often support a political party and will urge their readers to vote for them before an election.

For example, The Sun supports the Scottish Labour Party.

35
Q

What is a regional ballot?

A

Scotland is divided into 8 parliamentary regions. In the second ballot, voters will vote for a party as opposed to a candidate. There are 7 MSPs for each region.

Parties are then allocated additional members based on the % of vote gained making the overall result more proportional.

This is how the remaining 56 MSPs are selected. Sometimes they are known as the ‘list’ MSPs.

36
Q

One feature of AMS is that voters get two votes.

A

This means that voters get to make two choices on who is going to represent them.

For example, the people living in Clackmannanshire would vote in the Clackmannanshire constituency and the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane region.

37
Q

One feature of AMS is that there are two types of MSPs.

A

This means that voters can vote for regional and constituency representatives.

For example, Keith Brown represents Clackmannanshire as a constituency.

38
Q

One feature of AMS is that the result is more proportional.

A

This means that people living in smaller towns are given the same opportunity to voice their opinions as those living in larger towns or cities.

For example, in 2021, the Conservatives got around 20% of the votes and around 20% of the seats.

39
Q

One advantage of AMS is fairer representation.

A

This means that because of the way the votes are counted, and seats are given, the number of seats a party gets is close to the number of votes they get. This makes the outcome fairer.

For example, in 2021, the Conservatives got around 20% of the votes and around 20% of the seats, which seems fair.

40
Q

One advantage of AMS is smaller parties.

A

This means that due to the fact that each person gets two votes, some will vote for a larger party on their first ballot and a smaller party on their second. Due to the regional vote system these smaller parties stand a better chance at getting into Parliament by getting votes from a larger region.

For example, in 2021, the Scottish Greens gained 7 MSPs through the regional list vote.

41
Q

One advantage of AMS is local link.

A

This means that AMS keeps a strong link between parliament and the people. Due to one of the ballot papers being to elect a constituency MSP, this allows voters to keep a strong local link. The MSP can focus on local issues and get to know and support the issues in that area.

For example, Keith Brown has been heavily involved in lots of local issues such as increased funding for a British Indian Army memorial outside Kelvingrove Art Museum.

42
Q

One advantage of AMS is more choice.

A

This means that AMS works by having voters select a local representative for the constituency

43
Q

One advantage of AMS is more choice.

A

This means that AMS works by having voters select a local representative for the constituency and then choosing a party for the region that they live in. This means that people could vote for two different parties in one election.

44
Q

One advantage of AMS is consensus.

A

As the system is broadly proportional, it means that it is unlikely that one political party will have a majority in Parliament or if they do a big majority. This means that the Scottish Government will need the support of other political parties in order to get budgets and laws passed so this creates compromise and discussion between parties as they have to work together to pass laws.

45
Q

One disadvantage of AMS is unelected MSPs.

A

Due to the second vote being a regional vote, if a regional MSP resigns there is not another election to replace them. Instead, the next person on the parties’ list moves up and becomes an MSP even though no one has had a chance to vote for them.

46
Q

One disadvantage of AMS is that constituency is a simple majority.

A

This means that it uses a winner takes it all system which isn’t seen as fair - successful candidates for constituency MSP may receive less than 50% of the vote.

47
Q

One disadvantage of AMS is multiple representatives.

A

Scottish voters have 8 representatives that they can go to with an issue. These representatives are often from different political parties. This can lead to confusion about who is responsible for what and who they can go to if they have a problem.

48
Q

One disadvantage of AMS is parties control lists.

A

The parties pick the order of people who go on the order of the second ballot and since they can decide who and what order it can make the lists seem unrepresentative. The lower on the list that you are, the less likely you are to get elected. Political parties often put women and ethnic minorities lower on the lists, making it unlikely that they will be elected - this is why diversity in the Scottish Parliament is low.

49
Q

AMS: Give an example of fairer representation

A

For example, in 2021, the Conservatives got around 20% of the vote and around 20% of the seats, which seems fair.

50
Q

AMS: Give an example of local link.

A

For example, Keith Brown has been heavily involved in lots of local issues such as increased funding for a British Indian Army memorial outside Kelvingrove Art Museum.

51
Q

AMS: Give an example of consensus.

A

For example, in 2019 and 2020 the SNP government and the Scottish Greens worked together to pass the budget.

52
Q

AMS: Give an example of more choice.

A

For example, many people might vote SNP in the constituency vote but Green in the region as both support independence.

53
Q

AMS: Give an example of smaller parties.

A

For example, in 2021, the Scottish Greens gained 7 MSPs through the regional list vote.

54
Q

AMS: Give an example of unelected MSPs.

A

For example, when Kezia Dugdake resigned, she was replaced by Sarah Boyack who was next on the Labour list in 2016.

55
Q

AMS: Give an example of multiple representatives.

A

For example, people in Clackmannanshire can go to Keith Brown or any of the list MSP from the Conservatives/Greens/Labour.

56
Q

AMS: Give an example of a constituency vote is a simple majority.

A

For example, Keith Brown, the MSP for Dunfermline, won less than 50% of the vote in 2021.

57
Q

AMS: Give an example of parties control lists.

A

For example, only two ethnic minority MSPs got elected in 2016 due to parties picking the order of the lists.

58
Q

What are the rights of a pressure group?

A
  • The right to demonstrate
  • The right to publicise their cause.
  • The right to speak freely.
59
Q

What are the responsibilities of a pressure group?

A
  • To demonstrate peacefully and without breaking the law.
  • To speak the truth and not slander.
  • To not verbally abuse other people.
60
Q

Methods used by pressure groups: written letters.

A

This is effective because they can be personalised to people, which may make people help pressure groups as they received something just for them.

61
Q

Methods used by pressure groups:

A
62
Q

Methods used by pressure groups:

A
63
Q

Methods used by pressure groups:

A

NAT5 Modern Studies (4 decks)

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