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ScotlandModern Studies

Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is devolution, and how are powers divided between the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament at Westminster?

Devolution and the division of powers: how the Scotland Act transferred devolved powers to Holyrood while reserved powers stayed with Westminster, and why the split matters.
How devolution works in the United Kingdom for SQA National 5 Modern Studies: the Scotland Act 1998 created the Scottish Parliament, devolved powers such as health, education and justice were transferred to Holyrood, and reserved powers such as defence and immigration stayed with Westminster, with worked exam answers.
12 min answer →

How do political parties campaign in elections, and what affects how people vote?

Elections and campaigns: how parties campaign for votes, the tools they use such as manifestos, the media and social media, and the factors that influence how people vote.
How elections and campaigns work for SQA National 5 Modern Studies: the campaign tools parties use, including manifestos, canvassing, party election broadcasts, traditional media and social media, and the factors that influence voting such as policies, leaders, age and the media, with worked exam answers.
12 min answer →

How can citizens participate in democracy beyond voting, and how well are people represented?

Participation and representation: the ways citizens can take part in democracy, from voting to joining parties and campaigns, and how well groups in society are represented.
How citizens participate in democracy for SQA National 5 Modern Studies: voting, joining political parties, standing for election, joining pressure groups and campaigns, and contacting representatives, plus how well different groups are represented and why turnout matters, with worked exam answers.
12 min answer →

How do pressure groups and trade unions try to influence decision-makers, and how effective are they?

Pressure groups and trade unions: how organised groups try to influence government decisions through methods such as lobbying, petitions, demonstrations and industrial action, and what makes them effective.
How pressure groups and trade unions influence decision-makers for SQA National 5 Modern Studies: the methods they use, including lobbying, petitions, demonstrations, media campaigns and industrial action, the difference between insider and outsider groups, and what makes a group effective, with worked exam answers.
12 min answer →

How is the Scottish Parliament made up, and how does it hold the Scottish Government to account?

The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government: MSPs, the First Minister and ministers, committees, and the ways Parliament scrutinises and holds the government to account.
How the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government work for SQA National 5 Modern Studies: the role of MSPs, the First Minister and cabinet, committees, and how Parliament holds the government to account through questions, debates, committees and votes, with worked exam answers.
12 min answer →

How do the main voting systems used in Scotland and the UK work, and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

Voting systems: how First Past the Post, the Additional Member System and the Single Transferable Vote work, where each is used, and their strengths and weaknesses.
How the main UK voting systems work for SQA National 5 Modern Studies: First Past the Post for the UK Parliament, the Additional Member System for the Scottish Parliament and the Single Transferable Vote for Scottish councils, with the advantages and disadvantages of each and worked exam answers.
13 min answer →