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National 5 Modern Studies 23-24 > Democracy in Scotland > Flashcards

Democracy in Scotland Flashcards

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1
Q

State three roles of trade unions.

A

Negotiate on behalf of workers
Represent workers
Influence Government policy

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2
Q

Describe how trade unions negotiate on behalf of workers.

A

Trade unions speak to employers to try and improve the pay, work conditions and health & safety of the workers they represent.

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3
Q

Give an example of a trade union negotiating on behalf of workers.

A

In 2023, the EIS successfully negotiated a pay rise with COSLA that will see the majority of teacher’s pay increase by 14% in 2024.

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4
Q

Describe how trade unions represent workers.

A

Trade unions can represent the interests of their workers in official settings when any areas of conflict arise.

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5
Q

What areas of conflict might trade unions get involved in?

A

Enforced redundancies, fire and rehire schemes or disciplinary issues

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6
Q

Give an example of a trade union representing workers.

A

In 2022, Unison won a landmark case that allows all workers to stand for election and take part in public political activity without fear of dismissal.

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7
Q

Describe how trade unions influence government policy.

A

Trade unions liaise with Government and attempt to influence policy decisions in favour of workers using their powers of collective bargaining.

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8
Q

Give an example of a trade union influencing government policy.

A

In 2022,Unite opposed the Scottish Government’s draft National Care Service legislation which could see up to 75,000 staff lose their jobs.

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9
Q

State five reasons why people join trade unions.

A

Greater bargaining power
Negotiating better pay and conditions
Provide training for new skills
Free legal advice
Build personal and professional relationships

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10
Q

Explain why greater bargaining power is a reason to join a trade union.

A

The individual employee possesses very little bargaining power compared to their employer. However, the threat of a collective strike by a union is a powerful tool that often causes the employer to accept the demands of the workers for better conditions of employment.

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11
Q

Give an example of a trade union utilising their bargaining power.

A

In 2023, the Royal College of Nursing Scotland won nurses in Scotland a 6.5% pay rise by threatening to go on strike.

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12
Q

Explain why negotiating better pay and conditions is a reason to join a trade union.

A

Trade unions will speak to employers to try and improve the pay, work conditions and health & safety of the workers they represent.

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13
Q

Explain why training for new skills is a reason to join a trade union.

A

Trade unions run huge training and education programmes to help their members get the skills they need to get better-paid jobs. They also argue for employers to have better development programmes so that ordinary working people get chances for training andpromotion.

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14
Q

Give an example of a trade union that offers training for new skills.

A

Unite Scotland run free courses aimed at developing digital skills required for work and life.

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15
Q

Explain why free legal advice is a reason to join a trade union.

A

If you run into problems at work, your union’s legal team can make sure you are treated fairly – without you having to worry about paying.

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16
Q

What problems can trade unions offer you advice on?

A

Employment contracts, harassment, redundancy, pensions or discrimination

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17
Q

Give an example of a trade union who offer free legal advice to members.

A

In 2022, Prospect Scotland provided free legal advice to members employed by Scottish Power facing redundancy.

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18
Q

Explain why building personal and professional relationships is a reason to join a trade union.

A

Trade Unions provide a mechanism for bringing people together not only to promote common job-related interests but also to organise programmes, functions, and social events from time to time, to create a strong bond among the union members.

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19
Q

Give an example of a trade union who offers social events for its members.

A

Musicians’ Union Scotland often hold social events enabling musicians to socialise with one another and develop working relationships.

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20
Q

State three methods used by trade unions.

A

Organising demonstrations
Negotiating on behalf of workers
Taking industrial action

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21
Q

Explain why trade unions organise demonstrations.

A

Trade unions often organise demonstrations to draw the attention of the Government and the general public to their members’ concerns. They hope that by raising awareness, they will pressure employers and the Government into meeting members’ demands.

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22
Q

Explain how trade unions negotiate on behalf of workers.

A

Trade unions will speak to employers to try and improve the pay, work conditions and health & safety of the workers they represent.

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23
Q

Explain why trade unions take industrial action.

A

Industrial action happens when negotiations with employers fail and trade union members decide to take action which disrupts productivity in the workplace as a showing of protest.

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24
Q

What forms of industrial action can be taken by workers?

A

Striking, pickets, ‘go slow’, overtime ban or work to rule

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25
Give an example of a trade union who organised a successful demonstration.
In 2022, the Fire Brigades Union demonstrated outside of the Scottish Parliament to demand a fair pay, which was widely reported in the media and increased pressure on the Government.
26
Give an example of a trade union who successfully negotiated on behalf of workers.
In 2022, Unite and Unison successfully negotiated a 5% pay rise for all police staff in Scotland.
27
Give an example of a trade union who were successful after taking industrial action.
In 2022, strikes from bin workers in Glasgow proved to be successful as GMB trade union members were offered and accepted a 10% pay rise from COSLA.
28
What percentage of women were elected after the 2021 Scottish Parliament election?
45%
29
What percentage of ethnic minorities were elected after the 2021 Scottish Parliament election?
4.7%
30
What three main political parties have had female leaders?
Ruth Davidson - Scottish Conservatives Kezia Dugdale - Scottish Labour Nicola Sturgeon - The SNP
31
Who is the only current female party leader in Scotland?
Lorna Slater - Scottish Greens
32
How many Scottish Conservative MSPs are female?
25%
33
How many current MSPs have an ethnic minority background?
6
34
Who was the first female First Minister?
Nicola Sturgeon
35
Who is the first ethnic minority First Minister?
Humza Yousaf
36
What political parties had had LGBT+ leaders?
Scottish Conservatives Scottish Labour Scottish Greens
37
How many openly transgender MSPs are there?
0
38
How many permanent wheelchair users has there been in the parliament's history?
1
39
Which current MSP is a permanent wheelchair user?
Pam Duncan-Glancy
40
Based on the population, how many MSPs should have an ethnic minority background?
At least 5
41
What percentage of the Scottish population is female?
51%
42
What percentage of the Scottish population is LGB?
3%
43
What percentage of the Scottish population is transgender?
1%
44
What percentage of the Scottish population is disabled?
20%
45
State three groups that are underrepresented in the Scottish Parliament.
Transgender people Women Disabled people
46
State four reasons why women are underrepresented in the Scottish Parliament.
Sexism Lack of role models Incumbency effect Family commitments
47
Explain why sexism causes underrepresentation of women in the Scottish Parliament.
The way women are treated in politics, with the media more likely to focus on woman’s looks rather than their ideas, can be a big barrier to women’s participation.
48
Give an example of women facing sexism in politics.
The Sunday post reported that female political candidates are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience abuse online than men.
49
Explain why lack of role models causes underrepresentation of women in the Scottish Parliament.
Politics has always been dominated by men while women are often told their place is in the home. It can be off-putting for women if politics is seen as place that is not very welcoming for women.
50
Explain why the incumbency effect causes underrepresentation of women in the Scottish Parliament.
This is where it easier for people who are in power to stay in power because they can use their position to help them get re-elected. Elected MSPs have a lot of media exposure and tax payer funded help to do their job and are more well known.
51
Give an example of the incumbency effect affecting women in the Scottish Parliament.
In the first 20 years of the parliament, the share of female MSPs was never been higher than 37%.
52
Explain how family commitments cause underrepresentation of women in the Scottish Parliament.
Women are still deemed to be the main carers in families. It can be difficult to develop a political career if you take a break for maternity leave and also for some who live further away it is difficult for them to balance family life and attend work in Parliament in Edinburgh.
53
Give an example of women having family commitments.
92% of single parents are women
54
State three reasons why ethnic minority groups have experienced historic underrepresentation in the Scottish Parliament.
Racism Lack of role models Incumbency effect
55
Explain why racism has in the past caused underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the Scottish Parliament.
It can limit the number of candidates picked for an election but it can also put people off getting involved in the first place because of the abuse they face.
56
What did Anas Sarwar and Humza Yousaf say in a BBC interview?
Racism and islamophobia has been getting worse and they regularly receive violent death threats.
57
Explain why lack of role models has in the past caused underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the Scottish Parliament.
Politics has always been dominated by white people. It can be off-putting for ethnic minorities if politics is seen as place that is not very welcoming for them.
58
How many MSPs were from an ethnic minority in the first 20 years of the Scottish Parliament?
4
59
Explain why the inbumbency effect has in the past caused underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the Scottish Parliament.
This is where it easier for people who are in power to stay in power because they can use their position to help them get re-elected. Elected MSPs have a lot of media exposure and tax payer funded help to do their job and are more well known.
60
Give an example of the incumbency effect affecting ethnic minorities in the Scottish Parliament.
For 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.
61
What are the three stages of an election?
Dissolution of the Scottish Parliament The campaign Election day
62
What does 'dissolution of the Scottish Parliament' mean?
Dissolution is the official term for the end of a parliamentary session. It occurs before elections to the Scottish Parliament take place. At the start of the election campaign the Scottish Parliament will close and all MSPs stop being MSPs unless the are re-elected. This is to ensure that all candidates are treated equally and that candidates who were MSPs or the staff of MSPs before dissolution are not given any advantage over others.
63
Give an example of the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament.
When parliament was dissolved in 2016 all former MSPs were only allowed in the Scottish Parliament building as members of the public. ​
64
What is involved in an election campaign?
This is when the political parties and/or the people who want to be elected will try to promote themselves and ask for you to vote for them. ​ Political parties create manifestos, party political broadcasts and take part in leader’s debates.
65
What happens on election day?
Citizens will cast their vote, the votes will then be counted and a winner declared.
66
Give an example of an outcome from election day.
The 2021 Scottish Parliament election concluded with the SNP winning a fourth consecutive term in government, winning the largest number of votes and seats.
67
State four methods of campaigning in an election.
Creation of a manifesto Canvassing Taking part debates Creation of a Party Political Broadcast
68
What is a manifesto?
A manifesto is a collection of policies that the party has. The policies in the manifesto are like a promise being made to voters.
69
Give an example of a policy in a manifesto.
In 2021, the SNP said that all students should have a laptop or tablet in school and that all primary students should get a free school meal.
70
What does canvassing involve?
Candidates and other party members will go around the local constituency to knock on doors, hand out leaflets and try and encourage people to vote for their party.
71
Give an example of someone canvassing.
In 2021, Patrick Harvie went around Glasgow Kelvin handing out leaflets and asking people to vote for him but he ultimately lost to Kaukab Stewart.
72
How can a party use debates to campaign?
A representative of the party, usually the party leader, will take part in a public debate against people from other parties. They do this in the hope that people will like what they say and vote for them.
73
Give an example of a debate during a campaign.
In 2021, the leaders of Scotland's five larger political parties took part in a number of debabtes on BBC Scotland.
74
What is a local campaign?
Takes place in each constituency to gain support from local voters, these campaigns may focus more on local issues.
75
What is a national campaign?
Takes place across Scotland and is highly organised by the party leadership. These campaigns focus the overall national policies of the party.
76
What is an election campaign?
It is when political parties try to gain voters support for individual candidates and the party overall in the lead up to an election. Election campaigns usually last a few weeks.
77
State two key features of the Additional Member System (AMS).
Hybrid voting system Proportional representation
78
Explain what a hybrid voting system is.
It combines two other systems into one. AMS combines First Past The Post for the constituency vote and the Party List System for the regional vote.
79
How many ballot papers does AMS have?
2
80
What colour is the first ballot paper and who does it elect?
The first ballot paper is lilac and is to elect an MSP to represent the people in a constituency.
81
What colour is the second ballot paper and who does it elect?
The second ballot paper is peach and is used to elect MSPs to the 8 regions of Scotland. Each region has 7 regional MSPs.
82
In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, who was elected as the constituency MSP for Glasgow Kelvin?
Kaukab Stewart (SNP)
83
How many MSPs are elected to the Glasgow region?
7
84
What is proportional representation?
Proportional representation is a system of voting that gives parties roughly the same percentage (%) of seats as the % of votes they get.
85
In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, what percentage of votes and seats did the Conservatives win?
About 23% of the votes and about 24% of the seats.
86
What are two potential outcomes of the Additional Member System?
Coalition Government Minority Government
87
What is a Coalition Government?
When no party has majority seats so a deal is made between two parties to run the country together. 
88
Give an example of a Coalition Government.
From 1999-2007, the Scottish Labour Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government in Scotland.
89
What is a Minority Government?
When no party has a majority but the largest party overall decides to govern on its own and makes deals with other parties on a vote by vote basis. 
90
Give an example of a Minority Government.
After the 2021 Scottish Parliament election the Scottish National Party formed a minority government.
91
State three advantages of the Additional Member System.
A strong constituency link between parliament and the people Voters get more choice Provides fairer representation
92
Describe how there is a strong constituency link between parliament and the people with the Additional Member System.
In the first vote people will select a representative for that area. This means that the people living in a constituency have a directly elected MSP for that constituency.
93
Who are the MSPs for Glasgow Kelvin?
In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Kaukab Stewart (SNP) was elected as the constituency MSP for Glasgow Kelvin but there are 7 other MSPs for the Glasgow region.
94
Describe how voters get more choice with the Additional Member System.
There are two ballot papers. The first ballot paper is lilac and is to elect an MSP to represent the people in a constituency. The second ballot paper is peach and is used to elect MSPs to the 8 regions of Scotland. This means people could vote for two different parties in one election.
95
Give an example of people voting for two different parties with the Additional Member System.
Many people might vote SNP in the constituency vote but Green in the region as both support independence.
96

National 5 Modern Studies 23-24 (3 decks)

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