WORD BANK - Scottish Parliament

Standard Grade Modern Studies
Living in a Democracy
Section 7
In a democracy we have opportunities to participate in the political process and to
influence the decisions that are made in our Parliament. The success of a
democracy depends on the participation of its citizens.
We all have RIGHTS, things we are entitled to do, and RESPONSIBILITIES, things
we are expected to do.
Rights
Responsibilities
Things You are Entitled to do Things You are Expected to do
1. Right to Vote (for those 1. We should use our vote
over 18)
2. Right to Freedom of 2. Responsibility to respect the
speech and expression right of others to express
to say and do what you
want (within the law)
themselves and their points
of view
3. Right to join a group and
meet with others, for
3. Responsibility to obey the
law
example a trade union or
pressure group
4. Right to stand as a
candidate in an election
4. Responsibility to allow others
to exercise their rights
(for those over 18)
5. Right to a secret ballot 5. Responsibility to campaign
within the law
6. Right to criticise the
Government
7. Right to campaign, for
example,
send a petition,
demonstrate etc
1