Year 8 - Citizenship
Why are select committees important in a democracy?
How can citizens bring about change?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils explore the different ways citizens can take action and what role this plays in democracy.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain what a select committee is, why contributing to them is important for democracy, and how to give evidence to one.
Key Notes
- Select committees allow citizens to help shape policies and strengthen democracy.
- Select committees use evidence from the public, experts and organisations to make recommendations to the Government.
- Evidence can be given through written submissions, oral testimony or hearings, or sharing documents.
- The process of collecting evidence for select committees ensures fairness, accountability and diverse representation.
- Engaging with and contributing to select committees supports democracy and reflects community needs.
Vocabulary To Learn
- select committee: a group of members of the legislative body (MPs or other lawmakers) chosen to look into specific issues or topics & report back on their findings; they make sure important issues are looked at closely
- democracy: a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Only politicians and people in important jobs can contribute to a select committee.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Select committees allow citizens to help shape policies and strengthen democracy. Select committees use evidence from the public, experts and organisations to make recommendations to the Government.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'select committee'
a group of members of the legislative body (MPs or other lawmakers) chosen to look into specific issues or topics & report back on their findings; they make sure important issues are looked at closely.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Only politicians and people in important jobs can contribute to a select committee. Correction: Anyone can submit evidence to a select committee, including pupils.
More Lessons In This Unit
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