The Dynamics of Protest in Britain, 2000-2002

Abstract

Protest activity in Britain has undergone a resurgence in recent years, exemplified by the massive rally against the Iraq war organised by the Anti-War Coalition in 2003. This article examines actual and potential protest behaviour in Britain in recent years, using information from a new database. The evidence shows that protest behaviour has a distinct dynamic which varies systematically over time. Relatively few people actually engage in protest during a given time period, but lots of people seriously consider doing it. It appears that people are less prepared to protest in economic good times than in bad times, and also that there is a contagion effect to protest behaviour, although the effect is relatively short run. Protest activity in Britain has undergone something of a resurgence in recent years. The student protests of the 1960s and the trades union militancy of the 1970s gave way in the 1980s, and especially in the 1990s, to a period of relative passivity. However, since rhe 'fuel protests' of September 2000, Britain has witnessed a major demonstration by the Countryside Alliance, in September 2002, and a series of protests against the war in Iraq, including a massive rally in London organised by the Anti-War Coalition, in 2003. The particular triggers to these protests, as well as the ideological profiles or the participants, have obviously varied. The fuel protests were initiated by a particular group of workers and small business people - mainly lorry drivers - who were concerned about the impact of rising fuel prices on their jobs and businesses. The Countryside Alliance was dominated by what have traditionally been regarded as right-wing concerns - fox-hunting and the preservation of 'the rural way of life'. The Anti-War coalition attracted support from across the political spectrum, even though its leadership was predominantly on rhe left. Notwithstanding these motivational differences, it appears that the British public may be in the process of 'rediscovering' the attractions of peaceful 'direct action' as a way of seeking to influence the political agenda.