Scottish politics unit

Question 1

what makes a country democratic
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Answer 1

P: One of the key features of Scotlands democracy is that the government is elected by the people.
E: Democracy is that the government is elected by the people. What this means is that people in Scotland have been free to choose who they want to run the country by voting in an election without intimidation.
E: For example, millions of people over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections which decided the SNP were to run the country.

Question 2

what makes a country democratic
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Answer 2

P: A second feature of Scotland democracy is that free speech is supported.
E: This means that citizens in Scotland are free to express themselves however they like with some restrictions like not being able to use hate speech, encourage violence or tell damaging lies.
E: For example, many people have been both supportive and critical of how Nicola Sturgeon has handled the COVID-19 pandemic and put their views online, in newspapers and on TV without the government stopping them

Question 3

what makes a country democratic
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Answer 3

P: A very important feature of Scotlands democracy is that we have many political rights.
E: Political rights are the rights that allow citizens to participate in the politics of Scotland and how decisions are made.
E: For example, a political right in Scotland that many people have used has been to protest and make views known to leaders on issues like independence, climate change and Donald trumps visit to Scotland.

Question 4

powers of parliament (devolved)
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Answer 4

P: One power of the Scottish parliament is over education.
E: This means that the Scottish government have control over the Scottish curriculum, exam system and are in charge of the SQA.
E: For example the Scottish government cancelled all exams in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question 5

powers of parliament (devolved)
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Answer 5

P: Another power of the parliament is the healthcare system.
E: The government are responsible for the Scottish NHS and set budgets for local health boards in Scotland.
E: For example, the parliament are in charge of allocating finance forwards the building of new hospitals such as the Queen Elizebeth Hospital in April 2015.

Question 6

powers of parliament (devolved)
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Answer 6

P: Finally the parliament have the power over transport.
E: They are in charge of maintain Scottish roads and can raise funding for new roads.
E: For example, the A9 between Perth and Inverness is being changed to dual carriageway.

Question 7

describe in detail three powers of the first minister
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Answer 7

P: One power of the first minister is developing ideas and policies for Scotland.
E: The FM works with their political party (the SNP) to create education and health policies.
E: For example, in 2020 Nicola Sturgen led covid planning and implemented now covid restrictions.

Question 8

describe in detail three powers of the first minister
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Answer 8

P: Another power is to respond to questions from the MSP’s in the Scottish parliament.
E: Thursday they are asked to different questions by MSP’s and they need to respond to these questions. Nicola needs to use her powers to respond strongly to any questions.
E: For example, in January 2021 the first minister was asked about changes to SQA cases and exams.

Question 9

describe in details three powers of the first minister
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Answer 9

P: A final power of the first minister is to represent Scotlands interests abroad.
E: This means that the first ministers is responsible for meeting world leaders in order to promote Scottish trade and economic output, in the hope that other countries will by Scottish goods and services.
E: For example, in 2019 Nicola sturgeon held talks with the prime minister of Canada about trade and exporting more Scottish goods.

Question 10

reasons the first minister IS powerful
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Answer 10

P: The first minister is very powerful because they are the leader of the largest party in Scotland.
E: This was more than any other party allows thew first minister to implement government legislation and policy.
E: In 2021 Nicola was returned as first minister with 64 MSP’s.

Question 11

reasons the first minister IS powerful
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Answer 11

P: The first minister is also powerful because they have control over the cabinet and chair meetings.
E: This gives them power because they decide on the agenda and key political topics to be discussed which could influence the direction of legislation.
E: For example, in August 2021 Nicola sturgeon chaired a cabinet meeting and discussed education covid recovery plans.

Question 12

reasons the first minister IS powerful
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Answer 12

P: The first minister is also powerful because they have the key role of representing Scottish abroad. This gives the first minister power because they have to discuss important economic issues with other world leaders.
E: For example, in Feb 2019 Nicola visited the US and Canada to discuss trade deals.

Question 13

reasons the first minister is NOT powerful
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Answer 13

P: One reason some argue that the first minister is not powerful because she is only responsible for devolved matters.
E: This means that the first minister can only make decisions about issues that are devolved and has her power over resolved matters such as defence.
E: For example, during the covid-19 pandemic Scotland couldn’t close the borders to international travel as only west ministers and the prime minsters have that power.

Question 14

reasons the first minister is NOT powerful
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Answer 14

P: Another reason the first minister is not always powerful is because they sometimes have to agree deals to pass bills.
E: When the government does not have a majority of MSP’s in Scotland parliament the first minister gas to agree deals with smaller parties showing where she lacks power.
E: For example, the first minister has to agree a deal with the greens so that their government budget passed each year since 2016.

Question 15

reasons the first minster is NOT powerful
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Answer 15

P: A final reason the first minister can be seen as not powerful is because she must answer to the parliament.
E: Even though she is in charge of the government and has a lot of power because of the number of MSP’s she has in parliament, she must still go there every week and answer questions that sometimes embarrasses her.
E: For example, each week Nicola sturgeon takes part in first ministers questions time on a Thursday at 12pm

Question 16

describe the rights and responsibilities for people in Scotland, politically.
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Answer 16

P: One political right and responsibility in Scotland is the right to free speech and the responsibility to not use hate speech.
E: People in Scotland are able to express their opinion and even criticise the Scottish government without fear of being locked up however they must not use hate speech.
E: For example, certain songs cannot be sung at football games in Scotland they are classed as sectarian.

Question 17

describe the rights and responsibilities for people in Scotland, politically
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Answer 17

P: Another political right and responsibility in Scotland is the right to join a party and the responsibility to support that party.
E: This means that people are able to sign up and belong to any one of the many parties in Scotland but they should support it by paying party membership fees or helping in campaigns.
E: For example, there are over 100,000 members of the SNP making it the largest party in Scotland.

Question 18

describe the rights and responsibilities for people in Scotland, politically
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Answer 18

P: A final political right and responsibility in Scotland is the right to vote and the responsibility to use it.
E: This means people are able to vote in a person, party or issue in an elections or referendum and a way to make sure that they do vote when they have the chance.
E: For example, millions of people in Scotland over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish parliament elections.