Should Scottish MPs vote on matters that only relate to England? Are our laws being made in the EU - and should we vote on whether we want to stay in or leave the Union? Can local democracy be energised by local mayors - or are regional assemblies the answer?
The decision by Scottish voters to stay part of the United Kingdom may have settled that specific question "for a generation" (although even that is debatable), but it gave new fuel to an already boisterous debate about the democratic structures we live under. Next year's magna carta anniversary is likely to spark new questions about constituions and rights. And that comes in an election year where many of these choices will be at the heart of the campaign.
On OpenLearn, we'll be sharing personal perspectives from Open University experts, and bringing you the best writing from all shades of opinions from the wider world - and offering context to help you make your own decisions.
Mayors in all cities? Local democracy
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Of monkeys and mandates: Why local democracy is leaving voters cold
The Scottish referendum saw voters turn out in record numbers. But for Duncan McDonnell, direct democracy elsewhere is failing to engagee the electorate.
Read nowOf monkeys and mandates: Why local democracy is leaving voters cold -
Mayors for all major English cities? A democratic argument
Writing in the run-up to the 2012 mayoral referenda, Guy Lodge expressed a hope that directly elected mayors could transform the English regions.
Read nowMayors for all major English cities? A democratic argument
Scotland
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Scotland's future
On September 18th, 2014, Scotland went to the polls to decide on the nation's future. OpenLearn explored the background to the debates, what independence means, and the history of the nation both inside and outside the United Kingdom.
Read nowScotland's future -
The debate on Scottish independence
This collection of articles outlines the debate being held in the run up to the Scottish independence referendum.
Watch nowThe debate on Scottish independenceLevel: 1 Introductory
Wales
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99Rewind: Party politics like it's 1999
As the people of Wales prepared for three big elections in 2011, we turned back time to the first Welsh General Election
Read now99Rewind: Party politics like it's 1999Level: 1 Introductory
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99Rewind: One devolution decade, two referendums, where next?
Rachel Banner, spokesperson for the campaign against direct law-making powers for the National Assembly for Wales, gives her take on the devolution journey, its next destination and what she perceives as the lack of debate.
Read now99Rewind: One devolution decade, two referendums, where next?Level: 1 Introductory
England
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An English Parliament: The best way to save the UK?
Can an English parliament break the constitutional logjam? James Dennison believes it could.
Read nowAn English Parliament: The best way to save the UK?Level: 1 Introductory
Free courses on the UK and democracy
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Democracy? You think you know?
Participating in democratic processes is seen as being a fundamental aspect of citizenship. All pupils need a broad knowledge and understanding of the rights, responsibilities and duties of citizens, as well as an understanding of forms of government. Notions of citizenship have been forged alongside the expansion of the right to vote and the development of our ideas about democracy. In this free course, Democracy? You think you know? we explore different interpretations of democracy and strategies for involving pupils in consideration of these issues within the citizenship curriculum.
Learn moreDemocracy? You think you know?Level: 2 Intermediate
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Contemporary Wales
This free course provides an accessible and lively social science account of contemporary Wales. It introduces key aspects of the economy, society, politics and culture of Wales, providing a wealth of up-to-date evidence that is organised around core social science concepts and theories, to help you make sense of a changing nation.
Learn moreContemporary WalesLevel: 1 Introductory
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The politics of devolution
This free course, The politics of devolution, which contains material from the current Open University second level Politics course DD203 Power, equality and dissent, is pitched at the intermediate level. It should take you about 8 hours to study if you attempt the recommended exercises and make summary notes of its key points. Doing so will allow you to practise the crucial academic skill of summary and prcis extracting the gist of an argument which will be of particular help if you go on to study in related areas: perhaps the related politics courses on the OpenLearn website or the Open University modules from which they come.
Learn moreThe politics of devolutionLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Nationalism, self-determination and secession
What makes a 'nation' and what makes peoples strive for nationhood? This free course, Nationalism, self-determination and secession, will provide you with an introduction to studying political ideas by looking at how people who see themselves as nations challenge the existing order to assert their right to a state of their own.
Learn moreNationalism, self-determination and secessionLevel: 2 Intermediate
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