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First published in 1972. Militant protest is not new to British politics, but the widespread recourse to direct action, in Britain and abroad, is unprecedented. This book was the first comprehensive examination of contemporary protest in the British context. The contributors represented leading agencies of protest as well as those academics who had made this phenomenon their special concern. The result is a unique blend of direct experience and objective reflection.
The first part of the volume covers the theoretical and historical dimensions of protest, and is followed by a detailed consideration of specific issues (Ulster, race, the Bomb, students and community action). An analysis is then made of the reaction of the State to such protest through legislative and administrative channels. The final part shows the intermediary roles of political parties, MPs, the NCCL and the mass media. The book concludes with a critical examination of the interaction between protest and representative democracy and the implications which arise from it.
Students of politics and sociology as well as political activists of all shades of opinion will find this book essential to an understanding of the bases of protest movements.
List of contents
Introduction Robert Benewick; Part One: Theoretical and Historical Perspectives; 1. Pattern of Protest in English History V. G. Kiernan 2. The Threshold of Violence Robert Benewick 3. Liberal Rationality and Political Violence Bhikhu Parekh 4. Three Languages of Change: Democracy, Technology and Direct Action Elizabeth Vallance 5. The Study of Violence Robin Jenkins 6. Law and Order in Comparative Perspective Robert Mast; Part Two: Contemporary Studies; 7. The Second Ulster Crisis Robert Baxter 8. Race Relations in British Politics Hannan Rose 9. Black Consciousness Alexander Kirby 10. From Civil Disobedience to Confrontation Peter Cadogan 11. Remember Your Humanity and Forget the Rest George Clark 12. Direct Action and the Springbok Tours Peter Hain 13. Universities and Violence Brian Macarthur; Part Three: The Boundaries of Action; 14. Policy-Making David G. T. Williams 15. The Use and Control of the Police Peter Moodie 16. Political Parties and Members of Parliament Gavin Drewry 17. The Role of the National Council for Civil Liberties Tony Smythe 18. Direct Action, Democratic Participation and the Media Nicholas Garnham 19. Protest and Democracy Trevor Smith; Index
About the author
Editors: Robert Benewick and Trevor Smith
Summary
First published in 1972. Militant protest is not new to British politics, but the widespread recourse to direct action, in Britain and abroad, is unprecedented. This book was the first comprehensive examination of contemporary protest in the British context. The contributors represented leading agencies of protest as well as those academics who had made this phenomenon their special concern. The result is a unique blend of direct experience and objective reflection.
The first part of the volume covers the theoretical and historical dimensions of protest, and is followed by a detailed consideration of specific issues (Ulster, race, the Bomb, students and community action). An analysis is then made of the reaction of the State to such protest through legislative and administrative channels. The final part shows the intermediary roles of political parties, MPs, the NCCL and the mass media. The book concludes with a critical examination of the interaction between protest and representative democracy and the implications which arise from it.
Students of politics and sociology as well as political activists of all shades of opinion will find this book essential to an understanding of the bases of protest movements.
