Scottish Advanced Higher Modern Studies Syllabus

Modern Studies syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Modern Studies in Scottish Advanced Higher, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Political Issues and Decision Making

   3 topics

   • Power and political systems
     • Theories of power and authority
     • Liberal democracy versus other systems
   • Political participation
     • Voting behaviour and electoral systems
     • Pressure groups and the media
   • Decision making in central government
     • Devolution and intergovernmental relations
2. 2

   Social Issues and Inequality

   3 topics

   • Theories of inequality
     • Causes of social and economic inequality
   • Wealth and income distribution
   • Government responses to inequality
     • Welfare and policy interventions
3. 3

   Research Methods and Dissertation

   3 topics

   • Social science research methods
     • Quantitative and qualitative methods
     • Sampling and ethics
   • Interpreting data and sources
     • Evaluating evidence and reliability
   • Dissertation
     • Hypothesis and research question
     • Analysis and conclusions

Modern Studies flashcards for Scottish Advanced Higher

20 of 51 cards from the Modern Studies deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In political science, how is 'power' formally defined?

   Power is the ability of an actor to influence or control the behaviour of others to achieve a desired outcome, even against their resistance. It is exercised through coercion, authority, persuasion or manipulation.

2. Distinguish between 'power' and 'authority'.

   Power is the capacity to make others do something; authority is power that is regarded as legitimate and rightful by those subject to it, so it is obeyed willingly rather than through fear.

3. What are Max Weber's three types of legitimate authority?

   Traditional authority (based on custom and inherited status), charismatic authority (based on the exceptional personal qualities of a leader), and legal-rational authority (based on formal rules, laws and offices).

4. Compare a unitary state with a federal state.

   In a unitary state sovereign power is concentrated in one central government that can create or abolish lower tiers (e.g. UK). In a federal state sovereignty is constitutionally divided between national and regional governments, each supreme in its own sphere (e.g. USA, Germany).

5. Define a liberal democracy and list its core features.

   A liberal democracy is a system combining popular participation with constitutional protection of rights. Core features: free and fair regular elections, universal suffrage, rule of law, separation of powers, civil liberties, free media and political pluralism.

6. Contrast a liberal democracy with an authoritarian regime.

   A liberal democracy has competitive elections, rule of law, protected rights and limited government. An authoritarian regime concentrates power in a leader or elite, restricts opposition and civil liberties, and lacks meaningful electoral accountability.

7. What is the difference between direct and representative democracy?

   In direct democracy citizens make decisions themselves (e.g. referendums, ancient Athens). In representative democracy citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf in a legislature.

8. Define 'separation of powers'.

   The principle that the legislative, executive and judicial functions of government should be held by separate bodies to prevent the concentration of power and provide checks and balances.

9. What is meant by parliamentary sovereignty in the UK?

   Parliament is the supreme legal authority: it can make or unmake any law, no Parliament can bind a future Parliament, and no other body (including courts) can override or set aside an Act of Parliament.

10. List the main forms of political participation available to citizens.

    Voting in elections, joining a political party, standing for office, campaigning and canvassing, joining pressure or interest groups, signing petitions, lawful demonstrations and protests, contacting representatives, and using social media activism.

11. Distinguish between conventional and unconventional political participation.

    Conventional participation works within established channels (voting, party membership, lobbying). Unconventional participation occurs outside formal channels (demonstrations, strikes, boycotts, direct action, civil disobedience).

12. What is a pressure (interest) group, and how does it differ from a political party?

    A pressure group seeks to influence policy on specific issues without seeking to govern, whereas a political party seeks to win power and form a government by contesting elections across a broad programme.

13. Distinguish between insider and outsider pressure groups.

    Insider groups have close, consultative relationships with government and access to decision-makers (e.g. BMA). Outsider groups lack such access and rely on public campaigns, media and direct action to exert influence (e.g. some protest movements).

14. Define 'voter turnout' and state how it is calculated.

    Voter turnout is the proportion of eligible (or registered) voters who actually cast a vote. It is calculated as $\text{Turnout} = \frac{\text{Number of votes cast}}{\text{Number of eligible voters}} \times 100\%$.

15. What is 'partisan dealignment'?

    The long-term decline in the proportion of voters who strongly and consistently identify with a single political party, making the electorate more volatile and floating.

16. Explain the difference between a referendum and an election.

    An election chooses people to hold office (representatives), while a referendum asks voters to decide directly on a specific policy question or constitutional issue, usually by Yes/No vote.

17. How does the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) electoral system work?

    The country is divided into single-member constituencies; voters cast one vote for one candidate, and the candidate with the most votes (a plurality, not necessarily a majority) wins the seat.

18. What is the Additional Member System (AMS) used for the Scottish Parliament?

    A mixed/hybrid system: voters cast two votes — one for a constituency MSP elected by FPTP, and one for a regional party list. Regional list seats are allocated using the d'Hondt formula to make the overall result more proportional.

19. State the d'Hondt formula used to allocate regional list seats.

    Each party's vote is repeatedly divided to give a quotient, with the highest quotient winning each successive seat: $\text{Quotient} = \frac{V}{s+1}$, where $V$ is the party's total list votes and $s$ is the number of seats it has already won.

20. Identify the three branches of UK central government.

    The legislature (Parliament: House of Commons and House of Lords), the executive (the Prime Minister, Cabinet and government departments), and the judiciary (the courts, headed by the UK Supreme Court).

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