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The Political System of Scotland Essay example

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The Political System of Scotland Unlike Wales, which was subdued by conquest in the thirteenth century, Scotland was never permanently incorporated into the United Kingdom by force of arms. In 1603 the succession of James I to the throne of England united the crowns of England and Scotland. However, the union was only a personal one and Scotland retained its own political and legal system and its own church. In this essay I will explain the distinctive features of the Scottish political system, describe the voting …show more content…

Within the Treaty of Union the different national institutions would remain within the Scottish political system. The Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian, would remain as the national Church, along with the Scottish legal system. In addition Scotland would maintain a separate education system and a different system of local government from that obtaining in England and Wales.

The Scottish legal system is the single most important factor explaining why Scotland has been accorded separate governmental treatment since the Act of Union. Unlike the English legal system, the Scottish system has depended more on the principles of continental jurisprudence derived from Roman law than on indigenous common law. Whenever a piece of legislation has been intended to apply to Scotland as well as to England and Wales this has had to be achieved either by a separate appendix to the measure of by a distinct Act for Scotland. In addition Scotland has a separate system of courts and its own legal profession. The independent legal system of Scotland is one of the strongest clues to the existence of a Scottish Political system. The Scottish people are subject to Laws exclusive to Scotland. Scottish national institutions are strong and constitutionally protected.

The political culture of Scotland has always been strong on its emphasis on democratic organisation

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