Active citizenship Flashcards
What are two barriers to citizen participation?
Any 2 from:
-lack of interest or apathy
-a belief participation will not make a difference
-lack of faith in politicians and the political process
-lack of information or knowledge of how to participate
-lack of time/ unable to access polling stations
How can citizens participate in the democratic process?
-voting
-contacting elected members like councillors, PCCs, local MPs
-standing for election
-using e-democracy formats such as online petitions
What other opportunities are there for citizen participation?
-joining pressure groups or interest groups
-supporting campaigns via social media
-using the judicial review process to challenge decisions made by public bodies
How could voter participation be increased?
-compulsory voting
-lowering voting age to 16
-allowing online voting
What is a petition?
Collection of signatures indicating support of a statement or view
What is leafleting?
distributing materials that support a particular point of view
What is lobbying?
Making your views known to those whose opinions you wish to change. The specific term relates to citizens approaching their MP to raise an issue
What is boycotting?
Deciding not to purchase certain good or services because of a particular cause
What are demonstrations?
Public displays to support an issue. Range from small groups to mass marches and rallies
How may citizens use the media to promote a cause?
Staging events and protests to attract media attention and publicity
How can celebrities be used in a campaign?
To help causes gain media attention and increase support
What is advocacy?
An action which speaks in favour for, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others
What are public services?
State service providers at local and national levels
e.g. NHS, schools, social services, libraries
What are pressure groups
People who work together and campaign on a specific issue to bring about change or maintain the current situation
What is a single-cause pressure group?
Focus on a single issue
What is a multi-cause pressure group?
Groups which campaign on a range of issues e.g. Women’s institute
What is a protective pressure group?
Seek to protect the interest of their members e.g. British Medical Association
What is a promotional pressure group?
Promote their views on a particular topic e.g. Greenpeace
What does it mean if a pressure group has an insider status?
The group is able to discuss with, meet and is consulted by those it wishes to influence
What is a trade union?
Organisations that represent groups of workers in terms of pay and conditions. Members from the same job sector pay to join
Give 3 examples of trade unions
NEU, National Union of rail, maritime and transport workers, British medical association, Royal college of nursing, UNISON
What is the definition of a charity?
Organisations given legal status and sometimes government taxation benefits to represent an otherwise underrepresented section of society
Give 2 examples of charities
NSPCC,RSPCA, cancer research UK, British heart foundation, Battersea cats and dogs, WWF, royal British legion
What are the characteristics of voluntary groups?
-May or may not be registered charities
-involve people working individually or collectively to provide service to others
-local or national
-promote service or assistance they provide
Grenfell tower fire case study:
How did citizens call on the government to act?
-established groups such as the Grenfell Tower Action Group and Grenfell United
-criticised Government for material used for cladding, whether building regulations were adequate and on emergency service response
Case study: how did citizens support victims of the fire?
-Offering help, food, accommodation and support
-campaigning
Case study: What were the results of citizen action ?
-government set up public inquiry which lasted 5 years and included more than 300 public hearings
-government have invested in fire-safety measures for high-rise buildings
How can those who wish to bring about change use the media?
-organising demonstrations or high-profile actions
(e.g. 2003 Stop the War Coalition organised in London against UK involvement in the Iraq war , largest demonstration ever in London with around 2.3 million participating, Extinction rebellion and Just stop oil )
-using a celebrity figurehead
(e.g. Jamie Oliver’s healthy school meals campaign and Marcus Rashford’s free school meals campaign)
-working within the media
(e.g. partnership between WWF and Sky News to promote the Sky Ocean Rescue Campaign)
In addition, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each citizen action.
e.g. an advantage of campaigning is that you are directly involved but a disadvantage is that campaigning can move to illegal forms
What is a disadvantage of joining a political party?
By joining you are governed by the rules of the party, so you would not have total freedom
What is an advantage of standing for election?
-you have core voters who will likely vote for you as a party member
-if you’re independent, it is more difficult to be elected but you can speak and vote as you wish
What is a disadvantage of lobbying?
Organised campaign lobbying can be less effective than individuals lobbying who are directly impacted by the issue
What is an advantage of petitions?
-Collecting large numbers of signatures clearly shows the level of public support
-easy to organise and low cost
What is a disadvantage of joining a demonstration?
If a demonstration gets out of hand, disruption and violence can occur
Risk of danger, injury and/or arrest
