The Politics of Protest : Extra-Parliamentary Politics in Britain Since 1970

Peter Joyce provides a comprehensive account of the extra-parliamentary political activity that has taken place in Great Britain since 1970. The issues discussed include demonstrations, direct action, counter-cultural protest, industrial unrest, urban disorder, and politically motivated violence. The book concludes with an examination of the extent to which the United Kingdom's liberal democrat political system has been undermined by the response of the state to these activities. The British General Election Of 2001 Was Met With Widespread Apathy: Less Than Sixty Percent Of The Electorate Bothered To Vote. However, Apathy Towards Conventional Politics Does Not Necessarily Imply Public Lack Of Interest In All Forms Of Political Activity And Peter Joyce Offers An Examination Of Alternative Ways Whereby Citizens Seek To Influence The Policy-making Process. These Alternative Means Are Termed 'extra-parliamentary' Politics And Include Demonstrations, Direct Action, Counter-cultural Protest, Industrial Unrest, Urban Disorder And Politically Motivated Violence. Joyce Concludes With An Examination Of The Extent To Which The Liberal Democratic Political System Has Been Undermined By The Response Of The State To These Extra-parliamentary Activities.--jacket. 1. Introduction: Extra-parliamentary Politics -- 2. Protest -- 3. Protest In The Workplace -- 4. Urban And Non-metropolitan Disorders -- 5. Terrorism -- 6. Racial Violence -- 7. Conclusion: Extra-parliamentary Politics And Civil And Political Liberties. Peter Joyce. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "The British general election of 2001 was met with widespread apathy: less than sixty percent of the electorate bothered to vote. However, apathy towards conventional politics does not necessarily imply public lack of interest in all forms of political activity and Peter Joyce offers an examination of alternative ways whereby citizens seek to influence the policy-making process. These alternative means are termed 'extra-parliamentary' politics and include demonstrations, direct action, counter-cultural protest, industrial unrest, urban disorder and politically motivated violence. Joyce concludes with an examination of the extent to which the liberal democratic political system has been undermined by the response of the state to these extra-parliamentary activities."--BOOK JACKET. Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction: Extra-Parliamentary Politics....Pages 1-14 Protest....Pages 15-66 Protest in the Workplace....Pages 67-97 Urban and Non-Metropolitan Disorders....Pages 98-155 Terrorism....Pages 156-190 Racial Violence....Pages 191-233 Conclusion: Extra-Parliamentary Politics and Civil and Political Liberties....Pages 234-263 Back Matter....Pages 264-267 Cover 1 The Politics of Protest 4 Contents 8 1 Introduction: Extra-Parliamentary Politics 10 2 Protest 24 3 Protest in the Workplace 76 4 Urban and Non-Metropolitan Disorders 107 5 Terrorism 165 6 Racial Violence 200 7 Conclusion: Extra-Parliamentary Politics and Civil and Political Liberties 243 Index 273