Democracy In Scotland (Memo) Flashcards
Rights and responsibilities?
–> vote
–> join a pressure group
–> join a party
Vote?
The right is to vote, the responsibility is to use it.
To join a pressure group?
The right is to join a pressure group, the responsibility is to not break the law.
Join a party?
The right is to join a party, the responsibility is to support the party.
How can individuals participate in politics?
–> protesting
–> joining a party
–> engaging with the media
Joining a party?
Joining meetings and expressing your option and interacting with people who think like you.
Protesting?
Letting the people’s voices be heard and making sure they don’t break the law.
Engaging with the media?
Interact with people who have the same opinion
How do individuals take part in elections?
–> standing as a candidate yourself
–> canvassing
–> voting for your preferred candidate/ party
Standing as a candidate yourself?
If no parties have the same aims as you, you may put yourself forward and try to be elected.
Canvassing?
When you go door to door convincing people why they should vote for a specific party.
Voting for your preferred candidate/ party?
Voting yourself for the party/ candidate you like the most.
How can parties take part in elections?
–> canvassing
–> make manifestos
–> engage with media
Canvassing?
Going door to door to explain why they should vote for the specific party.
Engaging with media for parties?
Engaging with media to make their party get more exposure as well as to draw attention and get more votes
Making manifestos?
Candidate/parties make promises for what they will do if they are elected.
How can media take part in elections?
–> inform the public
–> hold candidates to account
–> influence voters
Inform the public?
The media would cover campaigns and what the party is doing and what they are upto.
How can the meida holds candidates to account?
Media asks leaders about manifestos and other questions the public may have.
Influence voters?
Media can make parties look good or bad.
Why do people want to take part in politics?
–> to have their voices heard
–> to hold those in power to account
The democracy rule?
The responsibility to uphold the democracy
To have their voices heard?
To express their opinions in public.
To hold those in power to account?
The decisions of those in power effect everyone, so it’s important to hold those individuals to account.
What is a campaign?
The thing that parties do to advertise themselves and try to convince the public to vote for them
What are the reserved matters?
reserved
–>immigration
–>defence
–>foreign policy
What are devolved matters?
Devolved
–> health
–> education
–> law and order
Roles of trade union?
–> representing workers
–> negotiating with employers
–> influence government policy
Reasons to join a trade union?
–> greater bargaining powers
–> negotiate with employers
–> provide training
What makes the media influencal?
–> making their own campaigns
–> uncovering scandals
–> organise debate
Methods used by the media?
–> targeted ads
–> front page headlines
–> televised debates
Roles of the media?
–> to influence voters
–> inform the public
–> hold representives to account
Why do people NOT participate in politics?
–> lack of role models
–> voter fatigue
–> not identifying with any party
Inform the public?
Cover campaigns and what candidates are up to
Methods used by trade union?
–> organise demonstration
–> industrial action
–> negotiate with employers
Organisation of a demonstration?
Draw attention to the issue to tye government and make them completely with changes
Industrial actions?
Disrupting work production so the employer sees the consequences and changes policies.
Why are trade unions successful?
–> industrial action
–> negotiate with employers
–> organise demonstration
How do MSPs represent us in parliament?
–> question time
–> communities
–> member bills
What is a member bill?
Things that can make laws or change them
What is a community?
Small group of msps get together to talk about a certain issue
Question time?
Question time for the government about their actions
How do MSPs represent us outside of parliament?
–> speak with media
–> hold surgeries
–>attending local events
Hold surgeries?
Basicly a Q and A where constituts talk to representatives
Attending local events?
Helps people connect and help better understand the issue that’s important to them by meeting the MSP hosting it.
Reasons for underrepresention for ethic minorities?
–> racist voters
–> few role models
–> language barrier
Roles of communities?
–> hold government to account
–> put forward new bills
–> scrutinize legislation
Put forward new bills?
Making proposals to parliament and explaining how the proposal is good for the world
Scrutinize legislation?
Discussing bill details and speak to experts to ask for their opinion
Features of AMS
–>past the post
–> regional
–> proportional representation
What does AMS stand for?
Additional member system
