Active citizenship- how can citizens bring about political change Flashcards
Define what is meant by an e-petition.
Online petition or petition which collects signatures online
What is an issue with being part of a representative democracy?
-Citizens can feel very distant from their elected representatives
-lack of participation
Give example of websites which collect signatures for e-petitions
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
Future digital opportunities
-online voting
-public question time with government ministers online
-online referendums
How can citizens hold those in power to account?
-voting
-joining an interest group or a political party
-standing for election
-campaigning
-advocacy
-lobbying
-petitions
-joining a demonstration
-volunteering
What is an interest group?
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
Why are demonstrations often unsuccessful in changing policies?
-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
How can you further support a political party?
Joining a political party, campaigning on the party’s behalf, raising funds, or standing under its banner
What different roles can you be elected for?
-parish councillor
-district, county, or unitary councillors
-MPs, SMPs or assembly members
-mayor
-PCC
Example of a body which campaigns
Youth parliament
Example of a body which promotes advocacy
The advocacy project - aims to help people who are vulnerable because of their circumstances to make their own choices
Example of a lobbying group
Greenpeace- targets those in positions of power to adopt environmental policies
Example of a recent petition
End child food poverty - collected 1113889 signatures
Examples of large scale demonstrations
People’s vote on brexit- October 2018- 700,000
Uk with Ukraine- march 2022- 150,000
Black Lives Matter
Who are Citizens advice?
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
What is the role of an Ombudsman ?
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
What is the role of an Ombudsman ?
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
Name a government body responsible for dealing with issues relating to discrimination
Equality and human rights commission
Which ombudsmen investigates complaints about government departments and bodies including the NHS ?
Parliamentary and health service ombudsman
Identify a body you could complain to if you had a complaint about the work of the local council
Local government ombudsmen
Give examples of pressure groups
- Amnesty international
-the electoral reform society
-RSPB
-shelter
-WWF
Explain the benefits of joining a trade union
-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
What is the UKs largest trade union?
UNISON
When answering a question on citizen action, What areas should you consider?
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
