Active citizenship- how can citizens bring about political change

Question 1

Define what is meant by an e-petition.

Answer 1

Online petition or petition which collects signatures online

Question 2

What is an issue with being part of a representative democracy?

Answer 2

-Citizens can feel very distant from their elected representatives
-lack of participation

Question 3

Give example of websites which collect signatures for e-petitions

Answer 3

Change.org

Governments official website- petition.parliament.uk (once a petition reaches 100000 signatures, a committee of MPs decides whether it should be debated)

38 degrees

Question 4

Future digital opportunities

Answer 4

-online voting
-public question time with government ministers online
-online referendums

Question 5

How can citizens hold those in power to account?

Answer 5

-voting
-joining an interest group or a political party
-standing for election
-campaigning
-advocacy
-lobbying
-petitions
-joining a demonstration
-volunteering

Question 6

What is an interest group?

Answer 6

Has a specific interest and only works towards or supports its own interests
Seek to influence decision makers through direct meetings or publications of reports

Question 7

Why are demonstrations often unsuccessful in changing policies?

Answer 7

-poor organisation
-unclear as to what they want to achieve
-descent into violence or anarchy/ police involvement/ mass disruption
-lack of communication with those in power
-sheer frequency

Question 8

How can you further support a political party?

Answer 8

Joining a political party, campaigning on the party’s behalf, raising funds, or standing under its banner

Question 9

What different roles can you be elected for?

Answer 9

-parish councillor
-district, county, or unitary councillors
-MPs, SMPs or assembly members
-mayor
-PCC

Question 10

Example of a body which campaigns

Answer 10

Youth parliament

Question 11

Example of a body which promotes advocacy

Answer 11

The advocacy project - aims to help people who are vulnerable because of their circumstances to make their own choices

Question 12

Example of a lobbying group

Answer 12

Greenpeace- targets those in positions of power to adopt environmental policies

Question 13

Example of a recent petition

Answer 13

End child food poverty - collected 1113889 signatures

Question 14

Examples of large scale demonstrations

Answer 14

People’s vote on brexit- October 2018- 700,000
Uk with Ukraine- march 2022- 150,000
Black Lives Matter

Question 15

Who are Citizens advice?

Answer 15

A charity which receives funding from the government. People seek advice and help on everyday issues such as housing, benefits entitlements, poverty and legal advice

Question 16

What is the role of an Ombudsman ?

Answer 16

An official who has been appointed to look into complaints about companies and public service organisations

Independent, free of charge and impartial
Resolve complaints out of court

Question 16

What is the role of an Ombudsman ?

Answer 16

An official who has been appointed to look into complaints about companies and public service organisations

Independent, free of charge and impartial
Resolve complaints out of court

Question 17

Name a government body responsible for dealing with issues relating to discrimination

Answer 17

Equality and human rights commission

Question 18

Which ombudsmen investigates complaints about government departments and bodies including the NHS ?

Answer 18

Parliamentary and health service ombudsman

Question 19

Identify a body you could complain to if you had a complaint about the work of the local council

Answer 19

Local government ombudsmen

Question 20

Give examples of pressure groups

Answer 20

• Amnesty international
  -the electoral reform society
  -RSPB
  -shelter
  -WWF

Question 21

Explain the benefits of joining a trade union

Answer 21

-provide assistance and services
-negotiate better pay and conditions on your behalf
-work to improve quality of public services
-political campaigning and industrial action
-Provide training for new skills

Question 22

What is the UKs largest trade union?

Answer 22

UNISON

Question 23

When answering a question on citizen action, What areas should you consider?

Answer 23

Issue- clear?
Aim
Target groups- who do they need to influence to achieve their aims?
Opposition- any groups disagree?
Methods- how do they campaign?
Role of media- trying to get attention?
Organisation- formal structure?
Membership- size? Formal?
Finance- how are actions funded?
Public impact- well received?
Successful?
Processes and skills used