National 5 Modern Studies SQA

This subject is broken down into 31 topics in 6 modules:

  1. Option 1: Democracy in Scotland 5 topics
  2. Option 2: Democracy in the UK 5 topics
  3. Option 1: Social Inequality 6 topics
  4. Option 2: Crime and the Law 7 topics
  5. Option 1: World Power 4 topics
  6. Option 2: World Issue 4 topics
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  • 31
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  • 11,195
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  • 1+
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Modern Studies

Option 1: Democracy in Scotland

Democracy in Scotland: Power and Decision-Making

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Democracy in Scotland: Power and Decision-Making

The Scottish Parliament

  • The Scottish Parliament is a devolved legislature that governs Scotland's affairs on devolved matters.
  • It has 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) elected for four-year terms in a mixed-member proportional representation system.
  • The parliament has been in operation since July 1999, after a Scotland-wide vote in 1997.
  • It holds the power to make laws on devolved matters such as education, health, and justice.
  • The Scottish Government, led by the First Minister, is accountable to the Scottish Parliament.
  • The First Minister is the leader of the party or coalition with the most seats in Parliament.

Devolution of Powers

  • Devolution is the transfer of powers from a central government to a regional or local authority.
  • Devolution in Scotland came as a result of the Scotland Act 1998, which established the Scottish Parliament.
  • Devolved matters include health, education, justice, rural affairs, housing.
  • Matters reserved to the UK Parliament include defence, foreign policy, and constitutional matters.
  • Issues such as the economy, welfare and energy are shared matters between the Scottish and UK Parliaments.

The Role of MSPs

  • MSPs have many roles including representing their constituents, making laws in the Scottish parliament, and scrutinising the work of the Scottish government.
  • They work in Parliament, committees and their own constituencies.
  • Most MSPs belong to a political party but some are independent.
  • The Presiding Officer is an MSP elected by other MSPs to chair proceedings in Parliament.

The Scottish Government

  • The Scottish Government includes the First Minister, Ministers and law officers.
  • It has responsibility for certain areas of policy as agreed in the Scotland Act.
  • It proposes new laws and manages the implementation of existing laws.
  • It controls a budget which is approved by Parliament to deliver its policies in devolved areas.

Judiciary in Scotland

  • The legal system in Scotland is separate from those of England and Wales with its own court structure and legal system.
  • The highest court of appeal in Scotland is the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
  • Courts in Scotland are separated into three categories: sheriff courts, court sessions and the High Court of Justiciary.
  • The Lord President is the senior judge in Scotland and presides over the Court of Session.

Role of Civil Society

  • Civil society groups, including charities, community groups, and trade unions, play a significant role in Scottish affairs.
  • They can scrutinize government actions, engage in policy debate, and provide representation for diverse interest groups.
  • Such groups can influence political strategies and lobby for changes in existing laws.

Course material for Modern Studies, module Option 1: Democracy in Scotland, topic Democracy in Scotland: Power and Decision-Making

Modern Studies

Option 2: Crime and the Law

Nature of Crime

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Nature of Crime

Understanding Crime

  • Crime is defined as actions that break the law and can lead to punishment by law enforcement. These are usually actions deemed harmful to individuals or society as a whole.
  • Crimes can be classified into violent crimes, such as assault and murder, property crimes, such as burglary and vehicle theft, and white-collar crimes, such as fraud and insider trading.
  • Identifying a crime and its type is crucial in law enforcement response and court proceedings. This can also help in crime prevention strategies.

Causes of Crime

  • Many factors can lead to crime such as socio-economic conditions, peer pressure, mental health issues and drug use.
  • An individual's upbringing and circumstances can significantly influence their propensity to commit crime. This is often due to factors such as broken homes, poverty, and lack of education.
  • Understanding the root causes of crime can lead to effective policies aimed at reducing it.

Impact of Crime

  • Apart from legal punishments, crime can cause lasting psychological effects for both victims and offenders. This includes trauma, fear, anxiety, and in severe cases, post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Some forms of crime can cause significant economic damage, both to individuals and society as a whole. This includes loss of belongings, property damage, and lost work hours.
  • The resultant increase in law enforcement and judicial costs is also a societal impact that comes as a result of crime.

Responses to Crime

  • Law enforcement agencies, including the police and judicial system, are tasked with detecting and preventing crime and punishing crime perpetrators.
  • Various societal measures such as education, welfare support and mental health initiatives can help prevent crime by tackling its root causes.
  • Criminal justice system focuses on rehabilitation, aiming to help offenders change their behaviour and reintegrate into society, thereby preventing reoffending.

The Role of Courts

  • The main role of courts is to adjudicate on crimes, deciding if an individual is guilty and determining an appropriate punishment.
  • Courts also play a crucial role in ensuring the rights of individuals are protected during the legal process.
  • Another function of courts is to deter crime by showing that criminal actions have severe consequences.

Course material for Modern Studies, module Option 2: Crime and the Law, topic Nature of Crime

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