Democracy Flashcards
(41 cards)
Why are women less likely to participate in politics?
Sexism, lack of representation and caring responsibilities.
Why are ethnic minorities less likely to participate in politics?
Racism, lack of representation and the incumbency effect.
What is the role of MSPs in committees?
Hold the government to account, scrutinise legislation and conduct inquiries.
What is the role of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament?
Participate in debates, question time and make new laws.
What is the role of MSPs in their local constituency?
Hold local surgeries, visit schools and attend important events.
What are 3 examples of reasons women are less likely to participate in politics?
There has only ever been one female First Minister with most of the other parties being led by men.
It was reported by the Sunday Post that women are 2-3 times more likely to experience abuse online than men.
Two females MSPs, including a government minister, did not stand in the 2021 election due to family responsibilities.
What are 3 examples of reasons ethnic minorities are less likely to participate in politics.?
Anas Sarwar and Humza Yousaf gave an interview to the BBC talking about the rise in Islamophobia and racism and how they regularly receive violent death threats.
There were only 4 MSPs from ethnic minorities in the first 20 years of the Scottish Parliament.
In the first 20 years of the Scottish Parliament, 98% of MSPs were white and it took over 20 years for Kaukab Stewart to become the first ethnic minority women to be elected to Parliament.
What are 3 examples of the roles of committees in the Scottish Parliament?
In 2020, the Education and Skills Committee opened an enquiry into why some schools are not teaching Modern Studies.
The Health and Sports Committee opened an reviewed the Organ Donation Bill before recommending that all of Parliament supports it.
John Swinney, who is in charge of education for the government has had to explain why exams were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 and how education continued during the COVID 19 pandemic to the Education and Skills Committee.
What are 3 examples of the role of MSPs in their constituency?
Ben MacPherson has visited Drummond Community HS to speak to pupils about politics.
Ben MacPherson holds his surgery in Edinburgh every Monday and Friday so that people can meet with him and raise any concerns they may have.
Ben MacPherson attended the Save Leith Walk campaign to show his support for the community.
What is one example of ethnic minorities being underrepresented in the Parliament?
Before 2021, less than 21% of MSPs were from an ethnic minority background.
Three examples of roles of MSPs in Parliament
MSPs in the Scottish Parliament debated smacking children before it was banned.
John Swinney participates in Question Time every Thursday.
Monica Lennon introduced the Free Period Products Bill to make period products free to people who need them.
What is one example of women being underrepresented in Parliament?
In 2021 only 45% of MSPs elected were female which was the highest it’s ever been meaning women never had fair representation.
Three reasons pressure groups are influential
Letter writing campaigns, protests and lobbying
One example of letter writing campaigns by pressure groups
Surfers Against Sewage organised a letter writing campaigns by about a bottle deposit scheme which the government supported and said they would try to implement.
One example of protests by pressure groups
The Climate Extinction group organised protests to shut down cities and for students to walk out of class. The Scottish government declared a climate emergency and changed some of its policies.
One example of lobbying by pressure groups
The TIE campaign won campaign of the year for their successful efforts to lobby MSPs into supporting Scotland to have its first LGBTQ+ inclusive education system.
Three features of the Additional Member System (AMS)
Two votes, two types of MSPs and more proportional.
Two examples of advantages of AMS
Conservative won 23% of the vote and won 24% of the seats.
Many people might vote SNP in their constituency but Greens in the region as they both support independence.
Two advantages of AMS
More proportional representation and voters get more choice.
Two disadvantages of AMS
Produces weak/unstable governments and is not always proportional
Two examples of disadvantages of AMS
In 2021 SNP received 40% of votes and nearly 50% of seats.
The SNP and Greens were working together but after Humza Yousaf ended their partnership the SNP could no longer count on their support
One example of voters getting two votes as part of AMS.
A voter in Leith could vote for SNP in the Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency and vote conservative in the Lothian region.
One example of two MSPs as part of AMS
People in Edinburgh North and Leith are represented by Ben MacPherson in their constituency and Foysol Choudhury and Lorna Slater regionally.
Whom are the regional MSPs for people in Edinburgh North and Leith?
Foysol Choudhury and Lorna Slater
