N5 Democracy 1 + 2

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  One key feature of a democracy is voting. This means that Scottish citizens over 16 can vote in Scottish Parliament elections and in referendums to get the government and decisions they want. For example, in 2021 the constituents in Inverness and Nairn voted for Fergus Ewing to be their constituency MSP.
• Another key feature of a democracy is the right to free speech. This means that in Scotland, people can express any information, ideas and opinions free of government censorship. They are able to voice their support for the decisions of a government or criticise them. For example, in 2022 people were protesting outside the Scottish Parliament after the  Gender Recognition Reform Bill was passed.
•  One devolved power of the Scottish Parliament is education. This means that MSPs can discuss and make changes to the education system in Scotland. For example, in 2021 the Scottish government decided that secondary school students would not sit exams due to covid.
•  One devolved power of the Scottish Parliament is healthcare. This means that the Scottish Parliament can make decisions that affect the NHS in Scotland, how we access medicine and GP services. For example, the 2021 Period Products Act ensures that period products are freely available within all schools in Scotland.
•  One role of the Scottish First Minister is to chair cabinet meetings and steer the policy agenda. This means that they can take forward the policies set out in the manifesto on which the electorate voted them in. For example, in January 2022 the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme was introduced.
•  Another role of the Scottish First Minister is to represent Scotland at home and abroad. This means that they regularly travel to other countries to represent and promote Scotland as a place to live, visit and do business with. For example, in 2017 Nicola Sturgeon spent 5 days in the US, meeting with fellow leaders at the UN and delivering a speech at Stanford University.
•  One power of the Scottish First Minister is hire, fire and reshuffle ministers. This means that they can rearrange who is in control of what sectors as well as remove those who are ineffective and replace them.

  For example, in 2023, Yousaf changed Shirley-Anne Somerville role of Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to Social Justice.
•  Another power of the Scottish First Minister is to set the agenda for Cabinet Meetings. This means that they steer the policy agenda of the government. They must take forward the policies set out in the SNP manifesto. For example, Yousaf is making reducing poverty, tackling climate change and providing high-quality public services priorities for the Scottish government.
•  Another power of the Scottish First Minister is recommend new judges. This means that the First Minister will listen to the law profession and then recommend to the King new judges that should be appointed to the bench. For example,Craig Turnbull was recommended by Nicola Sturgeon in 2023.
•  One right individuals have in a democracy is the right to vote. This means anyone over the age of 16 in Scotland can choose their preferred political party, a MSP or even a local councillor and vote in a Scottish election.  For example, in 2021 the constituents in Inverness and Nairn voted for Fergus Ewing to be their constituency MSP.
•  One right individuals have in a democracy is the right to protest. This means if people feel strongly about an issue, they can take to the streets to show their support or disapproval about decisions made by the Government. For example, in 2022 people were protesting outside the Scottish Parliament after the  Gender Recognition Reform Bill was passed.
•  One responsibility of voters is voting responsibly.  This means that voters must ensure they understand the different candidates and vote for the one that represents them the best. For example, people may wish to vote for the Green Party if they have an interest in the environment.
•  Another responsibility of voters is using their vote. This means that voters should be using their vote by either turning up to the polls, organise a postal vote or a proxy voter. For example, 63.5% of the Scottish population voted in the 2021 Scottish Elections.
•  One way people can participate in politics in Scotland is through voting. This means people can have a say in selecting their elected representatives. This can be in the form of voting for MSP’s in the Scottish Parliament using the Additional Member System. For example, people in the constituency of Inverness and Nairn voted for Fergus Ewing to be the constituency MSP who got more than 21,000 votes.
•  One way people can participate in politics in Scotland is through joining a political party. This means that you can become a member of the political party you support and you can attend party meetings, help to shape party policy and help campaign during elections through canvassing and leafleting. For example, the SNP party have the largest membership of any party in Scotland and have over 125,691 members as of 2021.
•  One reason why some people are more likely to participate is idealism.

  This means that people who believe strongly in a particular idea or outcome are more likely to participate to see this outcome happen. For example, those who are pro Scottish independence are likely to vote for the SNP party.
•  Another reason why some people are more likely to participate is enjoyment. This means that people who enjoy public activity are more likely to take part in groups/societies that are politically engaged. For example, people might take part in the protests against war in Ukraine.
•  Another reason why some people are more likely to participate is responsibility. This means that people may feel that their right to participate is their responsibility to use as a citizen of a democratic country and they should use it responsibly. For example, Green party are pushing for more use of renewable energy
•  One reason why some people are less likely to participate is contentment. This means that people may feel fine and happy with how things are and therefore do not feel the need or want to participate. For example, things that people have wanted from the government have been given such as the Free bus travel for under 22s.
•  One reason why some people are less likely to participate is alienation. This means that people may feel that their participation does not make a difference and their views are not represented. For example, the safest seat in Scotland is Dundee City East with an SNP majority of 19,230.
•  One reason why some people are less likely to participate is freedom not to. This means that in a democratic society, it is your right to choose whether to participate or not. For example, within Scotland it is not illegal not to vote unlike in Australia.
•  One way that political parties campaign is through political broadcasts.  This means that parties will try to gain supporters by spreading their goals and reaching a wider audience through short party advertisements on TV/radio/Youtube. For example, in 2021 the Scottish Green Party posted their political broadcasts on Youtube outlining their goals. 
•  One way that political parties campaign is through canvassing. This means that parties can gain more support by going door to door to speak with the public about party policies. For example, prior to the 2021 Scottish election, Fergus Ewing and the SNP party went door-to-door in Inverness and Nairn to persuade the people that he had their interests at heart and was the right person to represent them at the Scottish Parliament.
•  One reason why some political parties’ election campaigns are successful is party support. This means that the more party members that are going around towns leafleting or door -to -door talking to the local people, the more promotion the party gets. For example, the SNP have over 125,000 members making it the largest party in Scotland while Scottish Labour have just over 16,000.
•  One reason why some political parties’ election campaigns are successful is use of social media. This means that social media is a good way for the party to reach larger audiences and share their policies with voters. This can help convince voters to support the party. For example, The SNP have roughly 321.1k followers on Twitter compared to Scottish Labour who have 49.8k and the Scottish Conservatives who have 44.1k followers.
•  One reason why some political parties’ election campaigns are successful is the party leader. This means that the leader is the face of the party as they will take part in TV Leaders Debates and are therefore open to judgement from the public. A good leader could increase support for the party. For example, during the 2021 election, the Conservatives promoted Ruth Davidson (their ex leader) rather than Douglas Ross (their current leader) as she was more popular with the public.
•  Political parties will use broadcast media to reach more voters. This means that this type of media is the most popular form of media for all voters. Many polls have shown that most people go to TV for information in elections so parties will prepare party political broadcasts to try and reach most voters. For example, in the 2021 election the leaders all took part in the BBC Leaders Debate where Nicola Sturgeon and the other leaders talked about their policies. 
• Political parties will use social media to reach young voters. This means that they hope to raise awareness through social media platforms of party policies on a platform which younger people are more likely to access and engage with. For example, the SNP party have an Instagram account where they post their ambitions and the actions they are taking to reach them.