The Role of Licensed Activists

Whilst my previous blog may have seemed critical of “licensed activists”, I also believe that these can have an important role in influencing government policy, at home and abroad, as well as the conduct of large corporations, including those in public ownership

Ken Livingstone is probably the politician most adept at deploying political and community activists to his own political ends, and against one another when its suits him. However, some good policies have resulted from the former approach, particularly in the latter days of the Greater London Council (abolished by the Conservative Thatcher Government in 1986 – for those too young to remember, or old enough to forget).

The GLC’s transport policies – ie support for public transport, walking and cycling, and restraints on private car use and polluting vehicles – are a case in point. Over 20 years on, and some urban authorities in the regions and shires are only just catching up. Licensing a few more transport and environmental activists may be the best – including most cost-effective – way forward. Not that I’m saying the Mayor of London’s policies are perfect !

The Importance of Unlicensed Activists

I was once described by 2 representatives of a former consultancy client (and a very good one too !) as “subversive” and “an anarchist”. However, far from feeling affronted at these descriptions,  I took them as compliments. The client was a deeply political organisation (with a large and small “p”) and my unwillingness to adopt their politics, I regard as a consultancy strength, rather than a fault. Unfortunately, not all clients understand that some consultants are in the business of providing independent advice and professional services, and are not part of the monstrous regiment of yes people.

Now, having got that one off my chest I’d like to move on to the importance of unlicensed activists. The New Labour Government of Britain, like the current – but soon to be former – President of Russia, both support the work of licensed activists. By “licensed activists”, I mean people and organisations generally “in line” with the thinking of ruling elites. However, the government of Mr Putin tends to make this “policy” much more explicit than that of Mr Brown. This may in turn be a reason for some commentators identifying our Prime Minister’s “shadow side” with one of the Russian President’s predecessors.

Neither Mr Brown nor Mr Putin like “unlicensed activists” – and Mr Putin even less than Mr Brown by all accounts – by which I mean independent thinkers who challenge the thinking and values of ruling elites and their enactment in government policy. These gutsy girls and guys are those people beyond the “clientalism” of government funding and the likes. Yes, it does take guts to be domiciled outside this comfort zone, but the ethical, and, dare I say even spiritual, rewards can be great…for society. And yes, I do believe in the existence of society, unless you had the misfortune to live in Stalinist Russia, of course.