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Study Sources A, B and C and then attempt the question that follows - Scottish Highers Modern Studies - Question 2 - 2018
Question 2
Study Sources A, B and C and then attempt the question that follows. Source A The role of committees – "Parliament at work" Committees are central to the work of ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Study Sources A, B and C and then attempt the question that follows - Scottish Highers Modern Studies - Question 2 - 2018
Step 1
To what extent is it accurate to state that the Scottish Parliament's committees fulfil their roles effectively?
Answer
To evaluate how effectively the Scottish Parliament's committees fulfil their roles, we must first consider the role and function of these committees as outlined in the sources.
Roles of Committees
According to Source A, committees play a critical role in scrutinizing legislation, introducing new laws, and conducting inquiries. They serve to hold the Scottish Government accountable, thereby acting as a vital check on the governing party. The distribution of convenorships across political parties also reflects their influence within Parliament.
Effectiveness in Legislative Scrutiny
Evidence from Source A indicates that while committees can influence legislation through mechanisms like the Public Petitions Committee (PPC), they do not always meet in public, which may limit transparency and public engagement. The PPC acted on 356 petitions, which suggests a level of public engagement, although the outcomes of these petitions can vary greatly.
Statistical Insights
Source B offers statistics that reveal fluctuations in the number of inquiries and committee convenorships. Higher numbers of inquiries might suggest active committee engagement, while the diversity of convenorships shows political representation. However, the effectiveness of these inquiries in generating significant legislative change remains a question.
Public Perception
From Source C, public attitude towards the committees shows a divided opinion on their effectiveness. While a majority believe that the jobs of committees could be handled more effectively, there is uncertainty regarding how the current system performs to bolster democratic processes.
In conclusion, while the committees have established their presence and roles within the Scottish Parliament, their effectiveness is under scrutiny. Factors like political representation, public engagement, and legislative outcomes are all crucial in determining how well they fulfil their intended roles.
Step 2
Use of Sources
Answer
To assess the reliability and accuracy of the argument regarding the effectiveness of the committee system, we must analyze the sources used:
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Source A: This source appears reliable as it is a factual description of committee roles. However, it could be biased, given that it does not address failures or shortcomings.
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Source B: The statistical data provides an objective measure, yet one must consider the context in which this data was gathered and how representative it is of the overall committee activity.
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Source C: This source contains subjective public opinion which can provide insight into perception but may lack empirical support. The professor's blog may also contain bias based on personal viewpoints.
Evaluating these sources collectively allows us to gauge the reliability of the argument about the committees’ effectiveness. While some aspects suggest fulfillment of roles, overall effectiveness may be compromised by political biases and public sentiment.