Democracy

• One of the key features of Scotland’s democracy is that the government is elected by the people. This means that people in Scotland have been free to choose who they want to run the country by voting in an election without intimidation. 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.
• A second feature of Scotland’s democracy is that free speech is supported. 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. 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.
• A very important feature of Scotland’s democracy is that we have many political rights. Political rights are the rights that allow citizens to participate in the politics of Scotland and how decisions are made. 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 Trump's visit to Scotland.
• One devolved matter that the Scottish Parliament & Government is responsible for is health. This matter is about making sure the people of Scotland are as healthy as they can be and have the services they need such as hospitals and access to treatments. For example, the Scottish Parliaments Health and Sports Committee looked at the new Organ Donation law that means Scots now have to opt out of donating their organs when they die.
• Another devolved matter that the Scottish Parliament & Government is responsible for is education. This matter is about making sure that the education system in Scotland is running well with good quality school buildings and enough teachers. For example, the Scottish Parliaments Education Committee gathered evidence about the cancellation of the 2020 exams and how it would impact students.
• Another devolved matter that the Scottish Parliament & Government is responsible for is law and order. This relates to maintaining peace and safety in Scotland including the running of the police and courts service in Scotland as well as the powers they have. For example, MSPs in the Scottish Parliaments Justice Committee have been gathering evidence on a new hate crime law that would create a new crime of stirring up hate.
• One reserved power of the UK Parliament is defence. This means that the Westminster government is able to decide how the British Military will operate and how much funding to give it. For example, in 2016 the UK Parliament voted to spend £40 million on renewing Trident.
• Another reserved powers of the UK Parliament is foreign affairs. This means that the UK government decides if they will support their allies in foreign issues or conflicts. For example, in 2015 the UK agreed to support the US in their efforts against ISIS in Iraq.
• Another reserved power of the UK Parliament is immigration. This means that the UK government can decide whether to make it more difficult and less desirable for immigrants to move to the UK. For example, in 2016 the UK Parliament voted to prevent illegal migrants from accessing housing or bank accounts.
• Some people want to increase the powers of Scotland because they do not have control over a reserved power such as foreign policy. Foreign policy is when Westminster takes charge of policies in relation to trade. For example, Hamza Yousaf cannot make new trade deals just for Scotland, he must negotiate these through the UK Government. He was not been able to affect the Brexit deal. This means that the Scottish Parliament, in some people eyes, is not powerful enough and Hamza Yousaf would rather make decision for Scotland.
• Other people may wish to increase the powers of the Scottish Parliament because they want more powers over Scotland’s military. This means that as defence is reserved for Westminster, Scotland has no say on how the military operate in the UK. For example, MPs voted against air strikes on Syria in 2018 but they happened anyway because English MPs decided they should.
• Other people may wish for Scotland to have increased devolved powers in order to reduce the influence of the UK government. This means that policies voted for/ against in Scotland often do not match the outcome as whole UK votes are used for reserved matters. For example, in 2016 Scotland voted to remain in the European Union but had to leave because the UK government takes the overall UK vote into account.
• One role of the First Minister of Scotland is to lead the Scottish Government. This means that First Minister makes the final decision on what each of the departments of government do in devolved areas such as health and education. For example, Nicola Sturgeon would have approved the decision to make bus travel free for all under 22-year olds in Scotland made with the Scottish Greens.
• A second role of the First Minister is to represent Scotland. This means as the head of the Scottish government it is their responsibility to speak and act on behalf of Scotland in areas that are devolved. For example, during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Nicola Sturgeon represented Scotland in the UK crisis meetings.
• Another role of the First Minister is to appoint cabinet secretaries and government ministers to the Scottish Government. As First Minister they will select other MSPs from the Scottish Parliament to take responsibility for the different departments of the Scottish Government. For example, John Swinney had been appointed as the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education which is why he announced the 2020 and 2021 exams were cancelled.
• One power of the First Minister is being the leader of the Scottish Government. This means that the First Minister makes the final decision on what each department of government does she is very powerful as she can approve and reject policies. For example, Nicola Sturgeon approved the Scottish Governments responses and rules during the Covid-19 Pandemic which were sometimes different from those in England.
• Another power of the First Minister is to appoint and remove cabinet members. This means that As the First Minister one of her roles is choose who is in charge of each government department meaning she has the power to reward those loyal to her and punish or remove those she doesn’t think are good enough. For example, John Swinney had been appointed as the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education as he has been a loyal ally to Nicola Sturgeon.
• Some would argue the First Minister is very powerful because they are the leader of the Scottish Government. As the First Minister makes the final decision on what each department of government does she is very powerful as she can approve and reject policies. For example, Nicola Sturgeon approved the Scottish Governments responses and rules during the Covid-19 Pandemic which were sometimes different from those in England.
• Others argue the First Minister is powerful because they can appoint and remove cabinet members. As the First Minister one of her roles is choose who is in charge of each government department meaning she has the power to reward those loyal to her and punish or remove those she doesn’t think are good enough. For example, John Swinney had been appointed as the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education as he has been a loyal ally to Nicola Sturgeon.
• Another reason the First Minister is powerful is because she will approve deals with other parties. Because the government doesn’t have a majority in parliament other parties can try and get their policies passed in a deal with the government but only if the First Minister approves it. For example, the First Minister has approved deals with the Scottish Greens in the 2016-21 parliament to pass the budget that means under 22-year olds will have free bus travel.
• Some argue the First Minister is not powerful because she is only responsible for devolved matters. This means that the First Minister can only make decisions about issues that are devolved and has no power over resolved matters. For example, during the Covid-19 Pandemic Scotland couldn’t close the borders to international travel as only Westminster and the Prime Minister have that power.
• Another reason the First Minister is not always powerful is because they sometimes have to agree deals to pass bills. When the government does not have a majority of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament the First Minister has to agree deals with smaller parties showing where she lacks power. For example, the First Minister had to agree a deal with the Greens so that their governments budget passed each year since between 2016.
• Some argue the First Minister is not powerful because she is only responsible for devolved matters. This means that the First Minister can only make decisions about issues that are devolved and has no power over resolved matters. For example, during the Covid-19 Pandemic Scotland couldn’t close the borders to international travel as only Westminster and the Prime Minister have that power.
• Another reason the First Minister is not always powerful is because they sometimes have to agree deals to pass bills. When the government does not have a majority of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament the First Minister has to agree deals with smaller parties showing where she lacks power. For example, the First Minister had to agree a deal with the Greens so that their governments budget passed each year since between 2016.
• A final reason the First Minister can be seen as not being powerful is because she must answer to parliament. Even though she is in charge of the government and has a lot of power because of the number of MSPs she has in parliament, she must still go there every week and answer questions that sometimes embarrass her and her government. For example, each week Nicola Sturgeon takes part in First Ministers Question time on a Thursday at 12pm.
• One right we have as a voter in Scotland is the right to protest. This means that people are able to demonstrate their anger at policies or campaign for social changes. Protestors have the responsibility to act within the law. For example, in early 2023 there was a series of protests regarding the Gender Reform Bill by different groups.
• Another right we have in Scotland is the right to vote but we have the responsibility to use our vote. This means that people in Scotland can vote in local elections at the age of 16, and 18 for general elections. For example, in the 2021 Scottish election there was a 65.5% turnout.
• One of the most important rights people have in a democracy is the right to vote and the responsibility is that they should use it. This means people are able to vote on a person, party or issue in an election or referendum as a way of expressing their voice but the should make sure that they do vote when they have the chance. For example, millions of people in Scotland over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections which the SNP won.
• One of the key rights citizens have in a democracy is the right to free speech but they must not use hate speech. People in Scotland are able to express their opinion and even criticise the Scottish government with out fear of being locked up however they must not use hate speech. For example, certain songs cannot be sung at football games in Scotland because they are classed as sectarian.
• Another key right citizens have is the right to protest but they must obey the law and be peaceful. This means that people in Scotland are allowed to gather in large groups to protest about something important to them however they should notify the police in advance and follow all laws. For example, in recent years many people have protested on issues in Scotland such as Donald Trumps visit, Climate Change with Extinction Rebellion and the Black Lives Matter Protests that happened in 2020.
• One way that people can participate is by standing as a candidate. This means that individuals can put themselves forward in an election to represent their constituents. For example Nicola Sturgeon put herself forward to a candidate for the Scottish Parliament in the 2021 election.
• A second way that people can participate is by voting. This means individuals are able to vote on a person, party or issue in an election or referendum as a way of expressing their voice. For example, millions of people in Scotland over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.
• Another way that people can participate is by joining a party. This means that people are able to sign up and belong to any one of the many parties in Scotland who want to be elected into office. For example, there are over 100,000 members of the SNP making it the largest party in Scotland.
• One reason why people do participate is because they know how important it is. The Scottish Parliament is very powerful and has a lot of responsibility for making Scotland a good place to live. Many people get involved in politics to make sure the Scottish parliament does a good job. For example, the Scottish parliament is responsible for devolved matters like health and education.
• Another reason why people participate is because they know they can make a difference / influence politics. People in Scotland have joined parties, pressure groups, stood in elections and voted because they can see the difference all these things have to the people of Scotland. For example, in Scotland university is free and so are prescriptions which is not the case for people in England.
• A final reason that people participate is to protect their rights. Many countries around the world are dictatorships and some of them were democracies that changed as the people in power took away their rights so people participate to help gain and then protect their rights. For example, in recent years young people gained the right to vote and gay people are allowed to get married.
• One reasons people don’t participate is because they feel excluded from politics. Many young people, women, ethnic minorities, disabled people and LGBT people feel that they are underrepresented by the people in power. This can make them think “Why bother? Politics isn’t for me”. For example, there has only ever been 1 woman in charge of Scotland democracy and 2 women in charge of the UKs democracy.
• Another reason is because they don’t think their participation will matter. This means that individuals on their own might not feel that their voice is loud enough and so feel that a single protest or a single vote won’t make a difference. For example, a few people have been protesting and voting against the nuclear weapons at Faslane in Scotland for decades but they are still there.
• Some people might not participate because they don’t know how. This may be because not every student in Scotland studies Modern Studies and so many might not learn about all of their rights as well as how Scotland’s democracy works. For example, most people are not members.
• The first stage of the election is the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament. At the start of the election campaign the Scottish parliament will close and all MSPs stop being MSPs unless the are re-elected. For example, when parliament was dissolved in 2016 all former MSPs were only allowed in the Scottish Parliament building as members of the public though because of covid this didn’t happen in 2021.