democracy

• Devolved powers


  Powers transferred from the UK government to the Scottish government
• Devolved powers


  • Health: The Scottish government announced decisions about wearing face masks in public during covid 19
  • Education: Scottish government announced the scrapping and replacement of the SQA in 2021
  • Crime and Justice: In November 2020 the Scottish government's ban on smacking children came into force
• Reserved powers


  Powers retained by the UK government
• Reserved powers


  • Defense - The cost of Trident nuclear misile system is £100 billion over 35 years
  • Immigration - The UK government said they want to reduce immigration numbers to the tens of thousands, this doesn't benefit Scotland as we have an ageing population
• Role of the First Minister

  • Choosing cabinet ministers: Humza Yousaf can appoint and remove people from cabinet posts
  • Deciding Government policy: Humza Yousaf relies on the support of the Greens to get policies through
  • Representing Scotland: Humza Yousaf can meet with other leaders to promote what he wants for Scotland
  • Answering questions in First Minister's Questions: Humza Yousaf has had to defend his governments decisions when challenged by opposition parties
• Ways to participate in politics

  • Voting
  • Join a political party
  • Join a pressure group
  • Take part in an election campaign
• Reasons to vote

  • To have their say on an issue
  • People believe the vote is an important democratic right
  • People vote to have a say on who represents them
• Reasons some groups do not vote

  • No ID
  • Not interested
  • Don't trust politicians
• Pressure Groups

  • There's power in numbers
  • They feel strongly about an issue
  • Media coverage
• Election campaign methods

  • Canvassing
  • Taking part in political meetings/debates
  • Handing out leaflets and putting up campaign posters
  • Take part in an interview for television or radio
• Why are election campaigns successful?

  • Large party membership
  • Large amount of funds
  • Strong leader
  • Media support
• Work of MSPs in the Constituency

  • Surgeries
  • Responding to letters
  • Attending school events
• Work of MSPs in parliament

  • Asking questions during First Minister's' Question Time
  • Taking part in debates and voting
  • Introducing a Private Members' Bill
• Features of committees


  • Committees have a convenor who chairs the committee meetings and reports on committee activity
  • Committees have a range of MSPs from different political parties
• Role of Committees


  • Making inquiries
  • Holding government to account
• Reasons for lack of representation of women

  • Online abuse
  • Lack of Role Models
  • Focus on appearance
• Reasons for improved representation


  • Family friendly working hours
  • Role Models
  • Diversity
• Additional Member System


  Vote twice - in the constituency for a person, and in the region for a political party
• Advantages of Additional Member System

  • More diverse range of MSPs
  • Fairer to smaller parties
  • More representatives
• Disadvantages of Additional Member System

  • It's complicated
  • Gives smaller parties too much power
  • Don't directly vote for candidates in the region