Democracy In Scotland

Question 1

How can Scottish people participate in politics?

Answer 1

Vote-
Scottish citizens have a right to vote in general and elections in Britain.
16 year olds and over can vote in all general elections.
E.g a Scottish citizen could vote for the Scottish Labour Party, Scottish Conservative Party, the SNP etc.

Hand out leaflets, posters, badges-
Posters, Badges, leaflets are commonly used at elections to promote a certain candidate and what they want for Scotland.

Joining a political party- people join together to put forward their ideas for running the country. They can also take part in selecting party candidates

Question 2

What types of services do the Scottish councils supply?

Answer 2

Cleansing&environmental health- refuse collection from peoples homes, recycling now a big service and also keeping streets clean.

Education- providing an education for those aged 3-18. Also funding colleges and nurseries.

Social work- providing support for various groups in societies e.g children and elderly

Leisure&Recreation- providing facilities for general public e.g. Sports centres, libraries, local football pitches and parks

Question 3

What is the SNP and beliefs?

Answer 3

• social democratic political party (party which wants to achieve socialist aims- distributing wealth equally- by creating a centralised government that controls economy)
• committed to achieving independence
• won 2011 Scottish election
• lead by Nicola sturgeon

Question 4

What are the Scottish Labour Party and beliefs?

Answer 4

• a centre left party, traditionally gains support from working class
• stands for strong community and rewards for hard-work
• came 2nd in 2011 election
• led by Kezia Dugdale

Question 5

What is the Scottish Conservative party?

Answer 5

• a centre right party, traditionally gains votes from middle and upperclass
• stands for low taxation and little government involvement in day to day life
• led by Ruth Davidson

Question 6

What is the Scottish liberal democrats?

Answer 6

• centre left party
• wants to bring fairness to society and respect rights
• won 5 seats in 2011
• held coalition with labour 2000-2007 in the first 2 parliaments
• leader Willie Kennie

Question 7

Why should we use our right to vote?

Answer 7

• ensures Scotland remains democratic
• allows us to hold representatives to account (they have to keep their constituency happy or they won’t be re-elected
• if we don’t then unpopular parties might pass laws we don’t want
• allows the government to gain an understanding of what the public want

Question 8

Purpose of political parties?

Answer 8

• to allow people the opportunity to get involved in the political process e.g leaflets, rallies
• to offer alternative views and policies e.g smaller parties, the green.
• to provide support for the first minister in parliaments
• to organise campaigns

Question 9

What is an advantage of first past to post?

Answer 9

• simple to understand- most votes win. Should have a higher turnout
• more likely to produce a majority government- easier to win a majority of seats and take control

Question 10

Disadvantages of first past to post

Answer 10

-not proportionate- normally biggest share does not equal majority so many feel their vote is wasted

Question 11

Advantages of AMS?

Answer 11

• has an element of proportional representation in the regional vote so less votes ‘wasted’
• allows smaller parties to be represented in parliament and more views to be heard

Question 12

Disadvantage of AMS?

Answer 12

• can be quite confusing as 2 ballot papers so might put people off voting.
• allows smaller parties to become ‘kingmakers’- can choose party in power
• often leads to a coalition government meaning neither party can fully achieve their aims

Question 13

Powers of the Scottish government?

Answer 13

• Examine the work of the government and first minister- make sure the first minister and Scottish cabinet are performing their duties in the best interest of the Scottish people by participating in First Ministers questions, debating and voting on proposed laws
• Have the power to make laws on devolved issues- laws are presented to the parliament as bills which are debated and voted on to become laws. Msps can also propose private members bills on issues that concern their constituency

Question 14

Role of the first minister

Answer 14

• chairs cabinet meetings of MSPs
• accountable for policies and actions of the Scottish government
• represents Scotland at home and abroad

Question 15

What are some devolved powers?

Answer 15

Education- Scottish government has control over education in. Scotland. This means that they can control the curriculum and qualifications undertaken by Scottish pupils e.g curriculum for excellence, nAtional qualifications and new higher
Healthcare- holyrood can implement laws surrounding doctors, nurses, hospitals and medicine in Scotland e.g prescription charges were abolished in Scotland in 2011
Sport and culture- holyrood has the power to create laws relating to sport and culture in Scotland
E.g offensive behaviour and football act criminalised offensive behaviour at football matches

Question 16

What is the role of an MSPS?

Answer 16

Debate- MSPs meet in the debating chamber on Wednesdays and Thursday’s. MSPs can put forward motions about problems the people they represent experience and can ask parliament to consider how to solve them.
Committees- most MSPs are members of at least one committee. Committees conduct inquiries into specific topics within their area. They scrutinise legislation and make any changes. E.g health and sport committees.
Vote- at the end of each day of business in the debating chamber MSPs vote. This is called ‘decision time’. The result of the vote will decide whether an issue passes onto the next stage of the process. Cam decide to vote on new laws such as smoking in cars with young children

Question 17

What is the work of an MSP in the constituency?

Answer 17

Letters or emails can be sent to MSPs, people can outline their problems and explain what they want their MSPs to do.
The msp makes the selves available at certain times and people can go along to speak to their representative. It is like a doctors surgery.
They will meet local pressure groups, might then use their influence to talk to the council, police etc.

Question 18

How is the first minister selected?

Answer 18

In theory and msp can be proposed for FM but it’s likely that the leader of the largest party in parliament will be successful.
Once MSPs have elected the FM, the presiding officer will recommend him or her to the queen who makes the formal appointment

Question 19

What is the function of the presiding officer?

Answer 19

• The presiding officer sets aside political loyalties and acts as a neutral chairperson in debates in the Scottish Parliament.
• the current presiding officer is Tricia Marwick (may 2011)

Question 20

Who was the very first, first minister and deputy first minister?

Answer 20

FM- Donald dewar

DFM- jim Wallace

Question 21

Who is the FM and the DFM now?

Answer 21

FM- Nicola sturgeon

DFM- John swinney

Question 22

The role and checks on the power of the FM?

Answer 22

• Role: responsible for the policies liked to devolved powers/ Checks: other MSPs have a say in formulating policies
• Role: has the responsibility to ensure policies are implemented/ checks: they have to be accommodated inside the executive.
• Role: spokesperson for the executive in parliament/ checks: accountable to the Scottish Parliament

Question 23

Purpose and limits of the work of parliamentary committees?

Answer 23

Purpose:
- They hold the Scottish executive to account by examining it’s work
-Each law passes through a committee before its finalised
Limits:
- The committees conveners are chosen by the parties In Power
- The parties also have a tight grip on the legislation put through parliament

Question 24

Why do we need local councils?

Answer 24

• local councils because they are in a small area, they are aware of local needs and issues.
• they volunteer so they should be interested in doing a good job. They are not paid
• they are local people, so they know the area and what it needs

Question 25

What are the two services provided by local councils?

Answer 25

Mandatory: services which the council is required to supply to their regions e.g schools
Discretionary: services which councils are allowed to provide but are not required e.g skating rink in George square at xmas

Question 26

Types of services provided by councils?

Answer 26

Educational- providing an education for those aged 3-18. Also fuming colleges and nurseries.
Social work- providing support for various groups in societies e.g children and elderly
Leisure and recreation- providing facilities for general public e.g sports centres, libraries

Question 27

Role of a councillor?

Answer 27

1) hold regular surgeries In their wards to find out the views of their people: -allows them to get an idea of how the people in their ward are doing and thinking -gives the councillor an opportunity to speak to people who may not want to approach them privately to discuss problems
2) attend community meetings:- school board meetings, community councils and galas.
3) attend council meetings: - full council ,meetings deal with major decisions e.g school closures/mergers/changes to catchment areas

Question 28

What are pressure groups?

Answer 28

Organisations made up of like minded people- come together because they feel strongly about an issue and wish to see the government take action

Question 29

Why are pressure groups better at achieving change than individuals?

Answer 29

• more money available- more people donating.
• membership is nationwide or even worldwide
• force in numbers- more people, louder voice
• lots of expertise, can be asked for advice by the government

Question 30

What is a cause group?

Answer 30

A cause group wishes to help a disadvantaged group and want to change public opinion on a particular issue I.e the rspb whose main focus is on the welfare, care and protection of birds, rspca, age concern

Question 31

What is an interest group?

Answer 31

An interest group tries to make improvements for their members, which could be economic or working conditions. They are concerned only with the social, political and economic interests of their members e.g unite want to protect BA cabin crew from pay cuts

Question 32

What is an insider group?

What is and outsider group?

Answer 32

An insider group is regarded by the government as potentially helpful and are consulted on issues

An outsider group does not hold as much power as they are not asked to consult with the government

Question 33

Examples of outsider and insider pressure groups?

Answer 33

Outsider- PETA, they are not consulted by the government and don’t want to have a ‘cosy’ relationship with them
Insider- nil by mouth, the Scottish government asked them for advice on the sectarianism bill

Question 34

Legal methods pressure groups use?

Answer 34

• Lobbying influential people such as MSPs: writing letters, emailing and pressuring them
• Direct action: petitions, marches (e.g against IRAQ War in 2003), demonstrations, strikes etc.
• Social media campaigns- e-petitions

Question 35

Illegal methods pressure groups use?

Answer 35

Other methods of direct action can be illegal;
Criminal damage, trespassing, assault of public figures
- the pressure group fathers 4 justice, promote public awareness to their cause by performing high profile acts e.g climbing bigBen dressed as Spider-Man

Question 36

Why use the AMS?

Answer 36

• easy to understand as it includes elements of simple majority
• all MSPs are linked to a geographical area
• it provides a broadly proportional result

Question 37

How are MSPs elected?

Answer 37

Using the first past to post system

Question 38

How are regional MSPs elected?

Answer 38

The d’hont formula: regional votes/no of MSPs already won+1

Regions are made up of constituencies grouped together

Question 39

Describe the Scottish cabinet?

Answer 39

Cabinet ministers are MSPs who have been chosen by the FM to head a government department such as health or education.
They are accountable for the work of the department and any associated legislation going through the Scottish Parliament

Question 40

What are the 2 types of committee?

Answer 40

• mandatory committees: those which it must have e.g finance committee
• subject committees (those which the government can choose to set up) e.g health and sport committee

Question 41

Advantages of a coalition government?

Answer 41

• there are more than 2 parties in government. People in Scotland are more fairly represented
• wider choice of people to choose from when forming a government. There is a bigger pool of skill and talent available when appointing ministers.
• allows diff policies to be introduced. Free personal care for the elderly, abolition of uni fees. These would not have been introduced without LibDems in government

Question 42

Disadvantages of a coalition government?

Answer 42

• parties must compromise on policy
• meant to be fairer but only 1 Asian msp in parliament. Ethnic minorities make up 2% of population but only get 1 msp.
• meant to be fairer but women not fairly represented. Women make over 50% of the population but only get 34% of msp

Question 43

Impact of the referendum on Scotland?

Answer 43

Increased political participation
- of the 4.29 million registered Scottish voters, 85% of people voted. Trend continued in 2015 general election with turnout of 71% (above national average)
Voting age decreased
-Scottish election (reduction of voting age) Act passed in June 2015, allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote in Scottish Parliament and local council elections

Question 44

What is the STV - Si for transferable votes?

Answer 44

• in the STV the voter has more than one vote
• rather than placing ‘X’ to the candidate of choice, the voter will have a number of choices, ranking the candidates in order of preference 1 2 3 etc.
• so the voter can choose not just between the parties, within them

Question 45

Advantages of stv?

Answer 45

• voter is more empowered. A person who sees themselves as a labour voter does not have to vote for labours nominated candidate as there may be a choice
• no safe seats- cannot become complacent, councillors will always have to be meeting the needs of the area to get re elected

Question 46

Disadvantages of stv?

Answer 46

Multi Members confuse voters:

• “where does the buck stop”
• more than one elected representative- who is responsible?

The count
-process is long, results cannot be announced the same night as voting