Activism in the UK: A Catalyst for Change or a Hindrance to Progress?
In contemporary British Politics, activism has emerged as a pivotal force, enabling everyday people to actively engage in issues of national importance (Norris, 2004). This shift marks a departure from the traditional focus on political parties or individuals and their policies (Norris, 2004) . Instead, directing attention to specific societal concerns that galvanise individuals fueled by a collective desire for change (Norris, 2004). From racial justice to environmental sustainability, these movements transcend mere protests, driving substantive policy changes and reshaping public discourse (Ogunye, 2020). However, activism has different forms some are deemed more extreme in nature, which has posed challenges to its accountability aspect and hindered its ability to impact policy-making (Feinberg and Willer, 2020). This blog will explore the importance of activism, how it has shaped policy-making within the United Kingdom, and how extreme activism has hindered its impact on policy-making.
Activism has become a significant force in British politics due to widespread dissatisfaction with traditional political channels. Many citizens feel marginalised by mainstream politics and have turned to activism to address neglected issues like racial justice and environmental sustainability (Norris, Walgrave and Van Aelst, 2006). This shift marks a move away from focusing solely on political parties to advocating for specific societal concerns (Norris, Walgrave, and Van Aelst, 2006). Essentially, activism empowers individual citizens to voice their grievances and hold policymakers accountable for matters that concern them (Norris, Walgrave and Van Aelst, 2006) It allows for the prioritisation of pressing societal issues that may be overlooked within traditional political channels (Norris, Walgrave and Van Aelst, 2006). Through targeted advocacy and mobilisation efforts, activism drives substantial policy changes and challenges entrenched power structures. Ultimately, the rise of activism represents a grassroots movement for social change and political renewal, reflecting the evolving dynamics of democratic governance in Britain.
Furthermore, activism has effectively used this raised awareness and mobilised support to directly shape policy-making in the United Kingdom (Yeatman, 1998). By amplifying the voices of marginalised communities and advocating for specific societal concerns, activism has become a powerful force in driving substantive policy changes and challenging entrenched power structures (Yeatman, 1998). A prominent example of this is seen in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests that gained global attention following the killing of George Floyd by American police, demanding an end to systematic racism and police violence (Oguyne, 2020). In the UK, the BLM organisation organised protests, demonstrations, and advocacy campaigns calling for reforms to policing practices and greater accountability for law enforcement agencies (Oguyne, 2020) . In response, the UK government announced a new commission into racial inequality on a systematic level (Dray, 2021). This demonstrates the significant impact activism can have in turning causes into legislation that meaningfully benefits society. By utilising awareness and public support, BLM activities were able to pressure the UK government into creating a commission that would have otherwise been overlooked by traditional party politics.
The rise of extreme activism has however hindered its effectiveness as a tool in policy-making, as the UK government has deemed activists too extreme and enacted legislation to combat them (BBC News, 2021; Bond. 2021). An example of this is the activist group Insulate Britain, which aims to pressure the UK government to take urgent action to improve the energy efficiency of British homes (The Week, 2021). However, the controversial methods they employ, such as road blockages and event disruptions, have turned the public away from the cause (Connner, 2021). According to a YouGov poll, six in ten Brits oppose the climate protesters blocking the M25, with two-thirds of Britons believing their actions hinder support for the climate change movement (Connner, 2021). In addition to being unpopular, the Conservative government has refused to work with Insulate Britain due to their methods (BBC News, 2021; Bond. 2021). The British PM at the time Boris Johnson labeled them “irresponsible crusties,” and his government granted courts new powers to stop “disruptive activists attending protests,” (BBC News, 2021; Bond. 2021). This demonstrates how some activists, due to the methods they choose to use, are unable to be effective in impacting legislation on issues that are often overlooked by traditional party politics.
In conclusion, activism can be an essential tool in holding policymakers to account through meaningful collective social action on important issues that are often neglected by traditional political streams (Norris, 2004) . This has been demonstrated through the BLM movement in the UK, which pressured the government to act by establishing a racial inequality commission (Dray, 2021; Ogunye, 2020). However, extreme activism, such as road blockades by Insulate Britain, has hindered public support for activism and has shown the limitations of activism when certain groups take demands for their cause too far (Conner, 2021; BBC News, 2021 & Bond. 2021).
The writer of this blog post began with a very strong introduction, setting out clearly what was to be discussed and providing an overview of the apparent changes to traditional political activity. Additionally, the writer gives a detailed chain of analysis into why there has been a shift from traditional political channels to examples of passionate activism. It was particularly valuable that the writer looked beyond the example of protests as this presented original insights into forms of activism that would not immediately spring to mind. The example of the Black Lives Matter movement was a highly appropriate example that added real conviction to the writer’s point about the effects that activism has had on policy implementation. Furthermore, the contrasting example of Insulate Britain created a balanced argument which highlighted the negative effects of rising activism and how they can backfire if the methodology is miscalculated. Offering both sides of the argument showed impressive critical analysis skills that made for a thought-provoking read. Overall, this blog post discussed in detail the rising trend of activism and how this has affected policy-making processes both negatively and positively.
this blog clearly sets out a number of ideas with regards to activism in the UK. Starting of strong by providing a definition of the key concept to ensure readers understand the key concept throughout this article highlights how activism is used in the world of politics to highlight many issues that are close to the hearts of those participating, providing examples of both advantages such as the ability to provide a voice for those who may often feel unheard. this blog also provides disadvantages of activism such as when activism can be seen in a negative light due to it being seen as too extreme, such as road blockages which hinder day to day life for many people. overall, an enjoyable blog with a clear and in-depth analysis of the topic at hand.
e dizer que gosto muito de ler os vossos blogues.