Democracy
Renewing democracy through independence
Author / Creator: Scottish Government
Media type: Report
Date published: 2023
people who live in Scotland have the right to choose how they should be governed
After the Coronation: Understanding the UK as a monarchical state
Author / Creator: Gerry Hassan
Media type: Article
Date published: 2023
The UK’s political system and state are defined by the values of pre-democracy
Renewing democracy through independence
Author / Creator: Scottish Government
Media type: Report
Date published: 2022
People who live in Scotland have the right to choose how they should be governed
Independence Is Not About Process Politics. It Is About Democracy.
Author / Creator: Gerry Hassan
Media type: Article
Date published: 2022
Referenda talk concentrates on process rather than substance, misses the big picture here of democracy, and overlooks the nuances of public opinion.
The Crown remains of worth to Scotland despite republican sentiments
Author / Creator: Scott Crichton Styles
Media type: Newspaper article
Date published:
The death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the accession of King Charles III, has provoked discussion about whether an independent Scotland should be a Monarchy or a Republic.
By us and for us: How local democracy can build and strengthen community
Author / Creator: Willie Sullivan
Media type: Article
Date published: 2022
It is not enough that the future is built, it must be built for us. We must now learn a lesson for our next hundred years; it is not enough that the future is built for us, it must be built by us.
How Covid changed Scotland: Our local government must be reimagined
Author / Creator: Ben Wray
Media type: Article
Date published:
Ben Wray explains why local government has to be reimagined
Political Behaviour in Scotland
Author / Creator: Ailsa Henderson
Date published: 2020
Are Scottish voters more engaged with politics since the Referendum. Do they view Scottish Parliament elections as primary or Westminster ones?
Elections and Electoral Systems
Author / Creator: James Mitchell
Media type: Book
Date published: 2020
Elections have costs for voters—costs of time, getting involved, staying informed, reaching decisions, and casting a ballot.
Believe in Scotland’s Big Indy Poll Results
Author / Creator: Believe in Scotland
Media type: Opinion poll
Date published:
A survey of over 3,000 people indicates that Scotland will have a referendum, that the spring of 2023 is most popular and that the vote will be "yes". Also that the coalition between SNP and Scottish Greens makes the referendum more likely.
Populism, democracy and a pedagogy of renewal
Author / Creator: Margaret Petrie
Media type: Academic Paper
Date published:
The implications of populism for adult education aimed at defending and extending democratic life. The conflation of agonistic democracy with left populism is questioned. We consider how a focus on education might help to ground their theory and clarify popppulism's ambiguities.
DEMOCRACY MAX A vision for a good Scottish democracy
Author / Creator: Electoral Reform Society
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2013
- Sovereignty of the People – How do we return more power to the people?
- Defending our democracy – How do we stop vested interests having too much influence?
- How do we write the rules – How do we get the checks and balances our democracy needs?
A Citizens’ Assembly for the Scottish Parliament
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2020?
A Citizens’ Assembly will gather citizens’ opinions, enabling political decisions to be made after getting citizens’ considered and informed judgement. The overarching benefit of a Citizens’ Assembly in the Scottish Parliament would be a profound increase in the legitimacy of Scottish laws .
Renew: Six policies that can refresh the Scottish Government’s domestic agenda
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
Policies to renew the Scottish Government’s domestic agenda:
- Create a Scottish National Investment Bank
- Build the homes and infrastructure that people need
- Create a world-class childcare system.
- Give more power to citizens.
Data Protection and Democracy
Author / Creator: Peter Ryan
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
Examination of the expansion of data collection and its use as a tool for the manipulation of elections. There are recommendations which will help safeguard our democracy against unfair or malicious influence from companies or foreign states.
Development Councils: A Proposal For A New System Of Local Democracy In Scotland
Author / Creator: Robin McAlpine
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
A new tier of local government - Development Councils - is required to have truly local government with a range of powers drawn from existing authorities. This is achievable within the existing powers of he Scottish goverment.
Development councils; a proposal for a new system of local democracy in Scotland
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published:
Scotland has the worst degree of local democracy in Europe. To correct this, Scotland should create a new tier of local democracy at the community level. The size and shape of each new democratic area should be defined by communities themselves. Each area should be represented by a Development Council, elected by every member of the community aged 16 or above.
Better than This
Author / Creator: Common Weal
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2021
We must emerge from the Covid pandemic in a way that
Fixes the problems raised by the crisis.
Fixes the problems evident before the crisis and makes us resilient.
Implements a green new deal.
Establishes a new democracy.
Begins a national care service.
Starts land reform.
Creates a housing revolution.
Controls our own energy.
Provides better banking
Focus on independence.