Modern Studies Decision Making

• Democracy


  A way of running a country which allows people to have a say in what happens
• Features of a democratic country

  • Hold free and fair elections
  • Laws apply equally to everyone
  • People are allowed to express their opinions
• Scotland and the UK are considered democracies
• Authoritarian


  A government that cares more about its own power and authority than the freedom of its citizens
• Some countries claim to be democracies when they are not really, they are considered 'flawed' democracies
• Key features used to identify how democratic a country is


  • Free and fair, regular elections
  • Choice of political parties
  • Freedom of speech
  • Freedom of press/media
  • Rule of law
  • Respect for human (including political) rights
• Scottish Parliament


  129 elected members, called MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament)

  
• Elections to the Scottish Parliament are held every five years
• The Scottish National Party (SNP) was the biggest party after the 2021 election, but needed support from the Scottish Green Party to form the government
• Reasons why the Scottish Parliament could be considered more modern than the UK Parliament

  • Finishes by 6pm compared to the UK Parliament which often goes beyond 10pm
  • Parties sit in a semi-circle rather than sitting opposite each other
  • Voting process is quicker as MSPs vote from their seats using an electronic keypad
• One key feature of Scotland's democracy is that the government is elected by the people
• Another key feature of Scotland's democracy is free speech
• Another key feature of Scotland's democracy is political rights
• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is a union of 4 nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales
• Devolution


  The process where power has been passed back to the 3 smaller nations of the UK
• Reserved matters

  Powers kept by the UK Parliament, mainly for things that would affect the whole UK
• Devolved matters are the responsibility of the Scottish Government, while reserved matters are the responsibility of the UK Government
• Devolved matters for the Scottish Parliament

  • Education
  • Health
  • Law and order
• The Scottish Parliament has responsibility for devolved matters in Scotland
• The Scottish Government has responsibility for devolved matters in Scotland
• The Scottish Parliament has responsibility for devolved matters
• Devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament

  • Health
  • Law and Order
• The Scottish government decides on funding, initiatives and strategies concerning NHS Scotland – such as free prescriptions for all
• Law and order 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
• First Minister


  A role that was created when Scotland voted for a devolved Parliament
• There have been SIX FMs of Scotland since 1999
• The Scottish Parliament picks one person to be the First Minister to lead the country


  The leader of the biggest party in parliament is usually picked
• After the 2021 election, Members of the Scottish Parliament picked Nicola Sturgeon to be the First Minister of Scotland
• After she resigned the Parliament Picked Hamza Yousaf to be the First Minister
• The First Minister


  • Leads the cabinet
  • Decides who gets each important cabinet job
  • Sets the agenda for the cabinet meetings
  • Decides what the most important issues the government will deal with are
• The First Minister is the 'face' of the Scottish Government


  They are supposed to have an overview of all government policies
• During the Covid-19 pandemic, Nicola Sturgeon represented the Scottish government in COBRA meetings
• Nicola Sturgeon took part in daily press briefings and was interviewed frequently on TV and radio news
• The First Minister


  • Can represent Scotland abroad and attempt to build up trading relationships and partnerships with other countries
  • Welcomes and meets with visiting VIPs and represents Scotland's interests
• At Cop 28 in Dubai Hamza Yousaf met world leaders to set out Scotland Goals and Objectives
• The First Minister is POWERFUL because


  • Is the Leader of the Scottish Government
  • Appoints other Ministers
  • Chairs the Cabinet and sets the agenda
  • Meets with visiting Foreign Leaders & VIPs
  • Receives media attention
  • Is responsible for the success or failure of her government
• The ROLE of the First Minister

  • Is the Leader of the Scottish Government
  • Appoints other Ministers
  • Chairs the Cabinet
  • Gives public information briefings
  • Implementation and presentation of government policies
  • Is responsible for the success or failure of her government
  • Is responsible for nominating judges
• There are a lot of similarities in the ROLE and POWERS of the First Minister
• LIMITS to the First Ministers POWER

  • She is only responsible for DEVOLVED matters
  • The system used to elect MSPs means the FM's government USUALLY have to cooperate/make deals with other parties to pass bills
  • The FM must answer to parliament and First Minsters Questions to explain her government's actions
• One role of the First Minister is to give Public Information Briefings