Unit 1- Democracy In Scotland

Question 1

How many MSPs are there in the Scottish Parliament?

Answer 1

129

Question 2

Name 5 devolved powers

Answer 2

Health
Education
Social work
Housing
Tourism

Question 3

Name 5 reserved powers

Answer 3

Defence
Social security 
Foreign affairs 
Immigration 
Broadcasting

Question 4

How does health in Scotland differ from health in England?

Answer 4

In Scotland prescriptions are free, however in England you have to pay

They use different technologies in hospitals and medicines

Car parking charges- free in Scotland

Question 5

How many constituencies are there in Scotland?

Answer 5

73, each with its own MSP

Question 6

How many list MSPs are there?

Answer 6

56, there are 8 regions each with 7 MSPs

Question 7

Give 3 bits of information about the work of the Scottish Parliament

Answer 7

Legislation: making laws, discussing and amending bills

Committees: selected MSPs will look in detail at proposed legislation and government departments

Scrutinising the work of the government: questioning and debating

Question 8

What do committees do in the Scottish Parliament?

Answer 8

They give MSPs the chance to look at a specific issue in depth
Eg/ if an MSP is interested in education they could sit on the Education and Culture committee.
George Adam is a member of this committee

Question 9

Describe the STV

Answer 9

Local councils are elected in this way
It is a system of Proportional Representation
The seats are distributed more fairly across the parties
In multi- member constituencies Voters rank the candidates in order of preference
Electors can vote for as many or as few candidates as they like
A quota system is used to calculate the minimum number of votes required to win one of the seats to be filled

Question 10

What are the advantages of PR?

Answer 10

CLEN:

Coalition- more likely to result in coalition so more people are represented in government
Link- closer link between the number of votes and number of seats
Encourage- fewer wasted votes so encourages turnout
Normal- other countries like Germany, use it

Question 11

Arguments against PR

Answer 11

Can lead to unstable and weak government
Can lead to extremist parties gaining representation. In the 2009 European elections the British National party won 2 seats

Question 12

Describe the additional members system

Answer 12

Each voter in Scotland has two votes
Scotland is divided into 73 constituencies and each elects an MSP, they’re elected using FPTP
This is the first vote
In the second vote, the 56 additional members are elected
The voters vote for a party not a candidate in this vote. The MSPs are sometimes known as list members

Question 13

Advantages of AMS

Answer 13

CLEN!

Question 14

Disadvantages of AMS

Answer 14

More difficult for voters to understand
A coalition government may be less stable than one majority government, if parties disagree over too much then the coalition can be torn apart and the government can fail
Unfair to larger parties. Parties that win a lot of constituency seats loose out on seats from the regional lists

Question 15

What are the powers of the first minister?

Answer 15

They are the leader of the governing party
MSPs usually obey the first ministers wishes due to the party whip
The first minister can appoint whom she wants to the cabinet, giving them the power of patronage
The first minister represents Scotland abroad

Question 16

What is meant by ‘party whip’?

Answer 16

The party whip is appointed by the leadership of a political party to persuade MSPs into supporting the party

Question 17

What is meant by ‘power of patronage’?

Answer 17

The power to appoint or remove individuals from office

Question 18

What is the role of an MSP in parliament?

Answer 18

Debating: MSPs will all participate in debates. This gives them the chance to put forward the views of their constituents.

Voting on new laws: each MSP has to vote on wether they agree or disagree with each proposed new law. Eg/ they could vote for or against lowering the voting age to sixteen

Members bills: MSPs also have the chance to submit their own ideas for new laws. Each year they can submit up to 2 of their own bills, which may become laws if they pass through parliament

Question 18

What is the role of an MSP in their constituency?

Answer 18

Attending meetings: MSPs attend many meetings when they are in their constituencies. They may meet with local charities to listen to views on current government policy

Local media: MSPs often appear in local newspapers or on local radio. Often they will raise awareness of local issues using the media and express their thoughts about them

Visits: MSPs are regarded as high profile guests and will spend a large amount of their time attending events eg/ the opening of a new business

Question 20

How do party volunteers help in elections campaigns?

Answer 20

They deliver leaflets to people’s doors with the party manifesto and picture of the candidate. They also hand them out in shopping areas
Take elderly supporters to vote on Election Day
Put up bright posters with the party name, logo and picture of candidate on lampposts and hand out stickers and rosettes

Question 21

Examples of bills passed by the Scottish Parliament are…

Answer 21

British sign language (2015)- to promote the use of sign language, and to require certain authorities to prepare and publish their own British sign language plans
Air weapons and licensing- to make provision for the licensing and regulation of air weapons

Question 23

What services do local authorities provide?

Answer 23

Local councils run schools
Maintain street lighting
Collect household waste
Council housing is available in some areas
The council also offers leisure services like library’s and swimming pools

Question 24

Where does the money for local councils come from?

Answer 24

The money comes from the Scottish government. It also comes from council tax and household rents

Question 25

What are pressure groups trying to do?

Answer 25

They’re seeking to change the way things are:
They may want to change pay and working conditions- Junior Doctors
Bring down a government
Change or introduce a law

Question 26

What methods do pressure groups use?

Answer 26

They write letters to MSPs 
Submit petitions
Hold strikes and demonstrations 
Commit acts of 'civil disobedience'
Acts of violence and terrorism 

Eg/ Faslane Anti nuclear protests CND
Grandparents apart

Question 27

What are the pros of media?

Answer 27

Allowed freedom of speech
Essential to a free democracy
A vital part of scrutinising politicians
Uncovers important issues

Question 28

What are the cons of media?

Answer 28

Can invade personal privacy 
Can lie and distort the truth
Can decide itself what the important issues are
Can be censored or government run
Can simplify complex issues

Question 28

TV and Radio- give 4 facts

Answer 28

Must be truthful and balanced, that are by law unbiased
They are monitored by the Press Complaints Commission and other bodies
Super injunctions can ban coverage of events (eg Ryan Giggs)
Must give balanced political coverage

Question 29

Give 4 facts about the Internet- media

Answer 29

Unregulated- has trusted sites like BBC, through to criminal hate sites
Allows everyone to contribute through things like Twitter and forums
Allows everyone to be an online reporter
Will become the major source of news and information in the future

Question 30

Give 3 bits of information about broadsheets

Answer 30

The times, and the guardian

They are much more detailed and analytical and are very serious

Question 31

Give 4 bits of information about tabloids

Answer 31

Eg/ the sun- UK’s best selling newspaper. They support SNP in Scotland, they back winner and abandon losers
The Daily Record supports Labour and contains lots of sport, trivia and scandal
No great depth