London Riots Presentation Notes

• Omolola: - The main participants of the riots were teenagers. 

                         - The teenagers enganged in acts of vandalism.

                         - It was suggested by David Cameron that in the future rubber bullets should be considered
                            as an option.

                         - It is also of Omolola's opinion that the teenagers had no reason to strike.

                         - Her info was accessed from The Independent Newspaper website.

• Abdualazeez: - Claims of opportunistic behaviour.

                               - Claims of police misconduct.

                               - He further quotes a blog by "mabinogog" at blogspot.com as the search of a better life
                                  at all costs as a reason for the riots.

                               - He also adds that Dr Paul Bagualy from Leeds Uni attributes the riots to
                                  unemployment and anger.

                               - He proceeds by illustrating the veiws of Richard Sudan who is of the belief that public
                                  service cuts, poverty, police attitude, racisim and ignorance are the main cause of the
                                  riots.

                                - Another source he quotes is Mike Butcher, a technology journalist who is of the
                                   opinion that the use of BBM (Black Berry Messenger) as a main contributor of the
                                   riots as these kinds of messages are untraceable and hence effectively served to
                                   conduct the riots. He is also suprised that BBM was not banned for the period while
                                   the riots were taking place.

• Henry: - Who was Mark Duggan?

                     - 29 years of age.

                     - Displays a pic of him exhibiting a gang sign.

                     - 4th of Aug minicab stopped at approx 18:15 BST

                     - There was a wepon discharge.

                     - Mark Duggan died 30mins later.

                     - Speculation about whether he was gang affiliated, armed or if he shot at the Police 1st.

                     - Police mishandled peaceful demo on the 16th of Aug

                     -Visual display of chaos.

• Ralph: - 4th of Aug Mark shot by Scotland Yard.

                    - 6th Aug : peaceful protest march.

                    - Armed youth looting.

                    - Influence of Black Berry Messenger.

                    - He attributes the causes of the riots to poor relation with police, social exclusion, crime culture
                       and opportunism.

                     - Viable solutions include special forces for riots, more youth opportunities, more awareness of
                        opportunities and the regulation of video games.

                     - His info is sourced from BBC, SKYNEWS, CNN and FOX NEWS.

• Ezekiel: - Mark Duggans suspected of shooting at Police.

                      - Officer shot back in self defence.

                      - Was Mark a family man or a gangster.

                      - North London people believed he was a gangster.

                      - 4 children and a fiance.

                      - Was arrested previously with no evidence.

                      - Gun found at the scene.

                      - Some suspect gun was planted on the scene by police.

                      - References: Gaurdian 8th of August 2011.

• My opinion: It is of my opinion that the riots were intially incited by the killing of Mark Duggan but later turned into an opportunity for people to enrich themselves materially due to adverse poverty. It should also be noted that some participants were merely trying to express their distaste of the current government along  with their polices. I am also of the opinion that the use of social networks further made the situation worse as it enabled the riots to be coordinated.

New Government Summary

A NEW GOVERNMENT

Summary Notes

6^th of May 2011, new govt is elected.

Labour Party replaced by Liberal democrats and conservatives.

Led by David Cameron

65 years since Lib Dems have been power

Conservatives are pro: free market

                                     Privatization

                                     Low taxation

Labour party are pro: Social and economic equality

                                   More public spending

                                   Larger govt role.

Recent times have seen the parties get closer

General Election: -Conservatives – 36%

                             -Labour – 29%

                             -Lib Dems- 23%

Seats: Conservatives – 306

           Labour – 258

           Lib Dems – 57

Hung Parliament; no majority 4 any party.

11^th May: Coalition/merger

No system of proportional representations.

Seats are also constituencies/districts

Each has an MP (representative)

Terms of the coalition was that a more PR must incorporated in the future.

People of Britain

People of Britain

In order to understand modern day people in Britain, a journey into history must be embarked upon to get a better over view of the subject matter. 

In 1707 the Union of England,Wales and Scotland was formed. (BBC.co.uk) Within this Union a variety of different cultures and identities intertwined and interacted and many disputes arose which led to a number of clashes. (BBC.co.uk)

In an article authored by McConnachie(Sovereginty:2002) he estimates the population of the British people in 4000BC was 3000 people. This figure rose to 20 000 by 2500BC and between the 1000-700BC the population had reached 10 000. He goes on to further to show the population increase over the years chronologically but those details will be ommitted for the purposes of this blog. I rather focus more on the reasons given by McConnachie for the causes of Britain's exponential population growth rate through out the times.

The main reason given for the population increase is migration of foreigners into Britain. Causes of such migration can be attributed to factors such as political asylum, colonialism,the slave trade and the world wars of which Britain played major roles in both.

Whereas the elite of the past in Britain was mainly royalty and other families of nobility, the elite in this generation tend to be footballers such as David Beckham, musicians such as the Spice Girls and actors and producers such as Guy Ritchie. 

Education

Education

UK and Botswana's Education system.

To a large extent the education system in the U.K is similar to the education system in Botswana. This is most likely attributed to the fact that Botswana is a former British colony and thus many British practices have been adopted.

The similaraties between the two education systems are that it is compulsory for children to attend school from the ages of 5-16 years of age. Another similarity is that there are three types of schools,namely, local authority,independent and international schools.In both countries uniforms are also compulsory unlike in the USA where it is very rare to find uniforms.  Another common factor that there are three terms in the academic year unlike countries like South Africa which have four terms. The main exams written in both UK and Botswana are GCSE and A levels..

On the other hand, to a lesser extent the two education systems vary at certain aspects. For example, in the UK the school year commences in September and ends in JULY whereas in Botswana its from Febuary to November. Another difference is that in local authority schools in Botswana have corporal punishment where as its not allowd in the Uk.Also unlike the education system in UK the government sponsors students beyond secondary school and given the right marks they will award u a scholorship!!