Democracy

The Fight for Scottish Democracy Rebellion and Reform in 1820

Author / Creator: Murray Armstrong

Media type: Book

Date published: 2020

Three Scottish weavers, James Wilson, Andrew Hardie and John Baird, were hanged and beheaded for high treason in the summer of 1820. Nineteen more men were transported to the penal colony of Botany Bay. Their crime? To have taken up arms against a corrupt and nepotistic parliament, and the aristocratic government that refused to reform it.


The Three Phases of Decolonisation : Lessons for Scotland

Author / Creator: Alf Baird

Media type: Article

Date published:

Self-determination is the process by which colonized and hence oppressed peoples become independent.


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.