Active citizenship

Question 1

What are two barriers to citizen participation?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

How can citizens participate in the democratic process?

Answer 2

-voting
-contacting elected members like councillors, PCCs, local MPs
-standing for election
-using e-democracy formats such as online petitions

Question 3

What other opportunities are there for citizen participation?

Answer 3

-joining pressure groups or interest groups
-supporting campaigns via social media
-using the judicial review process to challenge decisions made by public bodies

Question 4

How could voter participation be increased?

Answer 4

-compulsory voting
-lowering voting age to 16
-allowing online voting

Question 5

What is a petition?

Answer 5

Collection of signatures indicating support of a statement or view

Question 6

What is leafleting?

Answer 6

distributing materials that support a particular point of view

Question 7

What is lobbying?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is boycotting?

Answer 8

Deciding not to purchase certain good or services because of a particular cause

Question 9

What are demonstrations?

Answer 9

Public displays to support an issue. Range from small groups to mass marches and rallies

Question 10

How may citizens use the media to promote a cause?

Answer 10

Staging events and protests to attract media attention and publicity

Question 11

How can celebrities be used in a campaign?

Answer 11

To help causes gain media attention and increase support

Question 12

What is advocacy?

Answer 12

An action which speaks in favour for, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others

Question 13

What are public services?

Answer 13

State service providers at local and national levels
e.g. NHS, schools, social services, libraries

Question 14

What are pressure groups

Answer 14

People who work together and campaign on a specific issue to bring about change or maintain the current situation

Question 15

What is a single-cause pressure group?

Answer 15

Focus on a single issue

Question 16

What is a multi-cause pressure group?

Answer 16

Groups which campaign on a range of issues e.g. Women’s institute

Question 17

What is a protective pressure group?

Answer 17

Seek to protect the interest of their members e.g. British Medical Association

Question 18

What is a promotional pressure group?

Answer 18

Promote their views on a particular topic e.g. Greenpeace

Question 19

What does it mean if a pressure group has an insider status?

Answer 19

The group is able to discuss with, meet and is consulted by those it wishes to influence

Question 20

What is a trade union?

Answer 20

Organisations that represent groups of workers in terms of pay and conditions. Members from the same job sector pay to join

Question 21

Give 3 examples of trade unions

Answer 21

NEU, National Union of rail, maritime and transport workers, British medical association, Royal college of nursing, UNISON

Question 22

What is the definition of a charity?

Answer 22

Organisations given legal status and sometimes government taxation benefits to represent an otherwise underrepresented section of society

Question 23

Give 2 examples of charities

Answer 23

NSPCC,RSPCA, cancer research UK, British heart foundation, Battersea cats and dogs, WWF, royal British legion

Question 24

What are the characteristics of voluntary groups?

Answer 24

-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

Question 25

Grenfell tower fire case study: How did citizens call on the government to act?

Answer 25

-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

Question 26

Case study: how did citizens support victims of the fire?

Answer 26

-Offering help, food, accommodation and support -campaigning

Question 27

Case study: What were the results of citizen action ?

Answer 27

-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

Question 28

How can those who wish to bring about change use the media?

Answer 28

-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)

Question 29

In addition, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each citizen action.

Answer 29

e.g. an advantage of campaigning is that you are directly involved but a disadvantage is that campaigning can move to illegal forms

Question 30

What is a disadvantage of joining a political party?

Answer 30

By joining you are governed by the rules of the party, so you would not have total freedom

Question 31

What is an advantage of standing for election?

Answer 31

-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

Question 32

What is a disadvantage of lobbying?

Answer 32

Organised campaign lobbying can be less effective than individuals lobbying who are directly impacted by the issue

Question 33

What is an advantage of petitions?

Answer 33

-Collecting large numbers of signatures clearly shows the level of public support -easy to organise and low cost

Question 34

What is a disadvantage of joining a demonstration?

Answer 34

If a demonstration gets out of hand, disruption and violence can occur Risk of danger, injury and/or arrest