Why people participate more/less

• Many people get involved in politics to make sure the Scottish parliament does a good job
• Ways people get involved in politics in Scotland

  • Joining parties
  • Joining pressure groups
  • Standing in elections
  • Voting
• People participate in politics

  To help gain and then protect their rights
• The Scottish parliament is responsible for devolved matters like health and education which are big influences on people's lives
• In recent years, the young people gained the right to vote and participated because they understand that they can influence decisions that affect them
• In 2020, pupils protested against unfair exam results after exams were cancelled, and the Scottish government downgraded estimates was reversed as a result
• 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"
• Few people have been protesting and voting against the nuclear weapons at Faslane in Scotland for 2 decades but they are still there
• Most people are not members of a political party and only about half of those who can vote, do vote in Scottish elections
• It just doesn't matter
• Know how important it is
• Know it can make a difference
• People in Scotland have joined parties, pressure groups, stood in elections and voted because they can see the difference
• These things have to the people of Scotland
• Many countries around the world were democracies that changed as the people in power took away their rights
• IMPORTANT: MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN
• Feel Excluded
• Won't Matter
• Don't Know How
• Studies and so many might not learn about all of their rights as well as how Scotland's democracy works
• Reasons people participate in Scottish politics

  • Know how important the Scottish Parliament is
  • Believe they can make a difference
  • Want to protect their rights
• Reasons for participation


  • Pupils protested against unfair exam results in 2020
  • Young people gained right to vote and participate
• Reasons people don't participate in Scottish politics

  • Feel excluded from politics
  • Don't think their participation will matter
  • Don't know how to participate
• Reasons for non-participation


  • Only 1 woman in charge of Scotland's democracy, 2 in UK
  • Protests against nuclear weapons at Faslane for decades with no change
  • Most people not members of political parties, only half who can vote do so