Modern Studies - Democracy in Scotland

• Government in a democratic political society is elected by the people
• Free speech is supported in a democratic political society
• People in a democratic political society have many political rights
• Devolved power: Health is a devolved power in Scotland
• Devolved power: Education is a devolved power in Scotland
• Democratic Political Society

  • Government elected by the people
  • Free speech supported
  • People have many political rights
• Devolved power: Transport is a devolved power in Scotland
• Role of the First Minister: Appoint cabinet secretaries and government ministers to the Scottish Government
• Role of the First Minister: Represent Scotland at home and abroad
• Role of the First Minister: Lead the Scottish Government
• Reason why the First Minister is powerful: Scotland's representative when foreign VIPs visit
• Reason why the First Minister is powerful: Can appoint and remove cabinet members
• Rights of people in Scotland

  • Right to join a political party
  • Right to vote
  • Right to protest
• People in Scotland have the right to join a political party, influencing leadership and policy positions by paying membership fees or helping in campaigns
• Being a representative when foreign VIPs visit the country makes the FM powerful


  They can influence trade deals and relations around the world which will benefit Scotland
• Nicola Sturgeon visited Brussels to discuss Scotland’s future relationship with the EU after Brexit
• People in Scotland have the right to vote, expressing their voice in elections or referendums
• Powers of the First Minister


  • They can appoint and remove cabinet members, deciding who is in charge of each government department, rewarding loyalty and punishing those deemed inadequate
• Powers of the First Minister

  • They are the leader of the Scottish Government, making final decisions on government department actions and policies
• People in Scotland have the right to protest, gathering in large groups to request change on important issues by notifying the police in advance and following all laws
• Opportunities for Individuals to participate in politics in Scotland

  • Voting
  • Joining a political party
  • Protesting
• Individuals can participate in politics in Scotland by protesting, showing discontent with an issue or demanding change
• Individuals can participate in politics in Scotland by joining a political party, campaigning for it, determining policies, and electing leaders
• Individuals can participate in politics in Scotland by voting, determining the government or course of action after a referendum
• Elections – Parties

  • Methods of political party campaigning
• One method of political party campaigning is producing a manifesto, a collection of policies like promises made to voters
• A manifesto is a collection of policies that a party has. The policies in a manifesto are like a promise being made to voters
• Example of a policy from the SNP manifesto in 2021: all students should have access to laptops or tablets and all primary school pupils should get free school meals
• Canvassing and leafleting is another method used by parties to campaign in elections. Candidates and party members go around the local constituency to knock on doors, hand out leaflets, and encourage people to vote for their party
• Example of a debate: Leaders’ Debates on BBC, STV, and Channel 4 with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon against other party leaders
• Debates are a method used by parties to campaign in elections. Representatives take part in public debates against people from the opposite party in the hope of gaining votes
• Political party campaigning methods

  1. Debates

  2. Canvassing and leafleting
• Example of canvassing and leafleting: Shirley Anne Somerville went around Dunfermline asking people to vote for her in 2021
• Number of members in a party


  Affects the success of campaigns. More members mean more people promoting the party and convincing voters
• Having the right leader


  Affects the success of campaigns. The leader is crucial as they represent the party and participate in leaders’ debates
• Use of social media


  Affects the success of campaigns. Social media helps parties reach a large number of voters and inform them about policies
• Roles of the media

  1. Informing

  2. Influencing

  3. Educating
• Role of the media: to inform the public about current affairs and breaking news
• Role of the media: to educate the public about party policies, new laws, and complex issues
• Role of the media: to influence public opinion and encourage support for certain parties