Should direct action be used?

Question 1

1st reason direct action should be used

Answer 1

1) It can be effective in terms of media/public attention or to demonstrate public support.
eg: Greenpeace burning of GM crops brought national attention to the issue.

Question 2

2nd reason direct action should be used

Answer 2

2) There is no alternative if you are ignored or the government is not sympathetic to your cause.
eg: The BMA had no alternative to strike action when govt rejected their arguments against the loss of unsocial payment allowances
Neither did public sector workers in relation to pension changes (strikes 2011)

Question 3

3rd reason direct action should be used

Answer 3

3) It is a necessary check on govt and unpopular policies between elections and civil disobedience can be justified in such circumstances.
Eg: -Anti Poll Tax Federation Campaign
-Anti austerity demonstrations organised by the People’s Assembly and TUC in recent years

Question 4

4th reason direct action should be used

Answer 4

4) It increases political participation amongst those who are alienated from the formal political process.
eg: As in the case of the mass protests by Stop the War Coalition

Question 5

5th reason direct action should be used

Answer 5

5) People have the right to protest. It is the fundamental right of citizens in a democracy to be able to protest.
eg: Occupy London (who occupied the steps of St Paul’s)
reflected the frustration of many in relation to the price paid by working people for the actions of the banks which led to the credit crunch.

Question 6

How many reasons are there that direct action should be used?

Answer 6

5

Question 7

1st counterargument for the use of direct action

Answer 7

1)
- It is undemocratic. Because it is an attempt to pressure government into policy change.
- Groups are unelected whereas governments are elected.
- Participants should wait until an election and vote for or against policies.

Question 8

2nd counterargument for the use of direct action.

Answer 8

2) It can involve breaking the law or the use of violence, which undermines respect for law and democratic methods.
eg: This could be applied to poll tax non payment
Greenpeace’s GM crop burning
Trespassing onto Heathrow runways by Plane Stupid

Question 9

Acronym for arguments for direct action

Answer 9

RINCE

• Right to protest
• Increases participation
• No alternative if ignored
• Check on govt
• Effective in gaining attention

Question 10

RINCE

Answer 10

• Right to protest
• Increases participation
• No alternative if ignored
• Check on govt
• Effective in gaining attention