ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

how can citizens participate in democracy?

voting, standing for election, using e-democracy to set up online petitions, pressure groups, social media, etc

what are the barriers to citizen participation?

apathy, belief that their vote won’t make a difference, lack of faith in government, lack of knowledge, etc

how can voter participation be increased?

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

how can citizens hold those in power to account?

petitions, leafleting, lobbying, boycotts, demonstrations, direct action, etc

what is the role of public services?

to ensure a standard of healthcare, amenities and educations are available to all citizens

what is a pressure group?

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

what is a trade union?

organisations that represent groups of workers in terms of pay and conditions

what is the role of trade unions?

to provide a voice for their members/ protect their wages and interests in the workplace (can represent millions of workers)

what is the difference between a charity and a voluntary group?

a charity is given legal status and government funding whereas voluntary groups normally involve people working individually or collectively to provide a service to others

The Grenfell Tower Fire

• fire was reported at 00:54 on 14/06/2017

• 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters were needed to stop the fire

• 72 people died and hundreds became homeless

• a public inquiry was launched concerning the building’s cladding material, building regulations and the response of the emergency services and lasted 5 years

how do people that wish to bring about change use social media?

organising a demonstration or high-profile action, inviting a celebrity to be a figurehead for their cause, working within the media itself to launch and promote a campaign, etc

what are the roles and responsibilities of citizens within the legal system?

jury service, a witness, a victim of crime, a magistrate, a special constable (a trained volunteer that works with and supports their local police), tribunal member, neighbourhood watch scheme member, etc

who are councillors?

citizens who are elected to serve on local councils

what are Police and Crime Commissioners?

directly elected officials who are responsible for the running of each regional police force outside of London

what is the National Citizenship Service?

a locally based government initiative that encourages young people to volunteer

what is the Trade Union Congress?

a national body that represents most trade unions in the UK

what is the Crown Prosecution Service?

an independent body that determines whether charges should be brought - prosecute on behalf of the state

what is the Director of Public Prosecutions?

the head of the CPS

what are magistrates?

part-time volunteers who determine sentences in local Magistrates Courts after receiving training (x3)

what are Special Constables?

volunteers who help the police on a part time basis in their local community - don’t have police powers but they wear the uniform

what is a Chief Constable?

the chief police officer within each regional police force responsible for the day-to-day management of police forces to fight crime

what is the Neighbourhood Watch?

a voluntary scheme in which people in a given area work with the police to help reduce crime

what are civil liberties?

rights and freedoms that protect a citizen from the state - set limits on what a government can do so that it doesn’t abuse it’s power or interfere unduly with the lives of citizens