Democracy
What is a democracy?
Citizens can participate freely through voting to elect their political representatives
What is a devolved power?
Powers which Scotland is responsible for
Who is the current First Minister and what political party is he the leader of?
John Swinney, SNP
Nicola Sturgeon put herself forward to a candidate for the Scottish Parliament in the 2021 election. How has this individual participated in politics?
Standing as a candidate
How old do you have to be to become a candidate in an election?
18 years old
What does the word 'democracy' mean?
People rule.
What is a reserved power?
Powers which the UK Parliament has kept for itself. Most of these are things that would affect the whole of the UK.
Humza Yousaf (when he was First Minister) represented the Scottish Government at the coronation of King Charles and in the Cop 28 conference in Dubai. What role of the First Minister is shown here?
To represent Scotland
Millions of people in Scotland over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections. What method of participation is shown here?
What are the three stages of an election campaign?
1. dissolution of the Scottish Parliament
2. the campaign
3. Election Day
People are able to take to the streets in large numbers and express their views on issues that they feel are important. What feature of Scotland's democracy is this?
Is the Constitution a reserved or devolved power?
Reserved
Humza Yousaf decided to freeze council tax in Scotland in 2024 to help with the Cost of Living Crisis. What role of the First Minister is shown here?
To lead the Scottish Government
There are over 100,000 members of the SNP making it the largest party in Scotland. What method of participation is shown here?
Joining a political party
Representative of a party will take part in debate against people from the opposite party. What campaign method is this?
Leaders Debates
Citizens in Scotland are free to express themselves however they like with some restrictions like not being able to use hate speech, encourage violence or tell damaging lies. What feature of Scotland's democracy is this?
Free speech.
3 examples of reserved powers
Immigration
Terrorism Act
Nuclear energy oil, coal, gas and electricity
The Constitution
Trade and industry
Benefits social security
War and defence
Jenny Gilruth has been appointed the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills which is why she has been speaking about the reforms of the exam system. What role of the First Minister is shown here?
To appoint cabinet secretaries and government ministers to the Scottish Government.
3 reasons why people participate?
They know how important it is
They know they can make a difference
To support a political party
All main political parties will broadcast their manifestos on the TV. What campaign method is this?
Party Political Broadcast
People in Scotland have been free to choose who they want to run the country by voting in an election without intimidation. What feature of Scotland's democracy is this?
The government is elected by the people.
3 examples of devolved powers
Education
Tourism
Agriculture
Housing
Health and social services
Sports and the arts
Culture and identity
Transport
Local government
Law and order
When Nicola Sturgeon was the First Minister she had to agree a deal with the Greens so that their governments budget passed each year since 2016. Does this show the First Minister as powerful or not?
The First Minister is not always powerful is because they sometimes have to agree deals to pass bills.
3 reasons why people don't participate
They feel excluded
They don't think their participation will matter
They don't know how
Douglas Ross went around Moray asking people to vote for him in 2021 he walked around putting out leaflets through the doors in Moray which were like ‘mini manifestos’, briefly explaining their policies. What campaign method is this?
Canvassing and leafleting