DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND Flashcards
Key feature in a democracy (E)
Government elected by people
People free to choose who they want to run country in election without intimidation
Millions of people over 16 voted in 2021 Scottish parliament elections
Key feature in a democracy (PR)
Many political rights
Rights allow citizens to participate in politics + how decisions made
To protect and make views known to leaders on issues like Black Lives Matter and independence
Roles of first minister (RS)
Represent Scotland
Responsibility to speak and act on behalf of devolved areas
FM recently met uk PM to discuss cost of living crisis
Role of first minister (LG)
Lead government
Make final decisions on departments of government in devolved areas such as education and health
First minister approved description of making free bus passes for anyone bellow 22 with the Scottish greens
Power of the first minister (ARC)
Appoint and remove cabinet members
Choose who is in charge of government departments meaning those loyal can be rewarded or if aren’t good enough can be punished or removed
March 2023, Shona Robison became deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for finance because was a good ally
Power of first minister (AD)
Approves deals with other parties
Other parties try get their policies passed in deal with government only if FM approves because government doesn’t have majority in parliament
FM approved deals with Scottish greens in the 2016-21 parliament for below 22year olds to get free bus travel
Under representation of women (S)
Sexism in politics
The way women are treated, media focuses on looks more than ideas, big barrier to women’s participation
Sunday post reports female political candidates are 2-3 times more likely to face abuse online than men
Under representation of women (FC)
Family commitments
Women are main careers of families, difficult to develop political career because maternity leave break, hard to balance family life and attend work if live far away
92% of single parents are women, makes it difficult to juggle family responsibility with parliamentary duties
Disadvantage of additional member system (UMPS)
Unelected MSPS
Due to second vote being regional, if regional MSP resigns there’s not another election to replace them so next person on parties list moves up and becomes MSP even though not voted
2016, Kezia Dugdate resigned, replaced by Sarah Boyack who was next on labour list
Disadvantage of additional member system (MR)
Multiple representatives
Confusion about who is responsible to solve a problem because voters have 8 representatives from different political parties to approach with the problem
People in Dunfermline can go to Shirley Anne Sonnerville or any of the list MSP from Conservatives/ Greens/ Labour
Advantage of additional member system (FR)
Fairer representation
Number of seats a party gets is close to number of voted they get because the way votes counted, makes outcome fairer
2021, Conservatives got about 20% of vote and seats
Advantage of additional member system (MC)
More choice
People can vote 2 different parties in election, voters select representative for constituency then party for region they live in
Many people vote SNP in constituency vote but Green in the region as both support independence
Under representation of ethnic minorities (R)
Rascism
Some MSPS seen differently because of colour, underestimate candidates so don’t vote for them because from ethnic minority group
2021, only 6 MSPS from ethnic minority groups elected
Under representation of ethnic minority (LRM)
Lack of role models
Not enough MSPS from ethnic minority groups
2021, only 2% MSPS from ethnic minority, representing only 1.5% of Scottish parlimaent
Features of a democratic society FOS
Freedom of speech
Media has the right to criticise the government and ask questions of the decisions they make
Features of a democratic society FTP
Freedom to protest
2020, people in Scotland protested as part of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George floyd
Devolved powers H
Health
Scottish parliament has control over how patients in scotland are treated and how much money is spent every year on NHS
Under the Scottish parliament, prescriptions were made free for all in 20111 under the SNP government
Devolved powers E
Education
Scottish parliament has control over the entire education system in Scotland for primary, secondary and further education
School closers in Scotland during the covid 19 pandemic were put in place by the Scottish government
Devolved powers T
Tourism
Scottish parliament has control over how it promotes Scotland as a tourist destination and the money it makes from tourism
20117, it was estimated that tourism is worth more than 11 billion pounds to scottish economy
Roles of the first minister AQ
Answer questions at `first minister questions’
Defend the work of government from opposition parties and their leaders on Thursdays at 12pm
Limits on the first ministers powers OPAPIP
Is only as powerful as her party in parliament
Nicola sturgeon and the SNP do not have enough MSPs for a majority so gave to work together with the Green Party, otherwise they might not support her and vote for the bills she and SNP want to pass
Limits on the first minister NHCORP
Does not have control over reserved powers
Has to follow some Westminster descisions
Nicola sturgeon cannot call a second independence referendum without permission from teh UK government
