LAWS1110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Populism, Merseyside Police, Blake Ferguson
Document Summary
"the most disturbing threat to our freedom and security is the growing disrespect for the rule of law. In government, as in opposition, labour have undermined it. Yet respect for the rule of law is the basis of a free and civilised life. Populism claims to speak on behalf of the public and to articulate public opinion (which may at times be hidden) Evaluation and evidence matter less than feelings and opinions. Popular, without the need for experts and responsibility. Highly aligned with the demands of the media. Extreme, exotic punishment is appealing politically because it is appealing to the media. While crime continues to fall [in the uk], some violent crimes which tend to drive public opinion seem to be on the rise. As a result, law and order is back on the political agenda for the first time in nearly a decade. Fear is being used as a political tool:
