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5 British J. Pol. & Int'l Rel. 1 (2003)

handle is hein.journals/bhjlplcs5 and id is 1 raw text is: British Journal of Politics and International Relations, Vol. 5, No. 1, February 2003, pp. 1-23 Explaining the fuel protests' BRIAN DOHERTY, MATTHEW PATERSON, ALEXANDRA PLOWS and DEREK WALL Abstract We describe and analyse the fuel protests in the UK in September and November 2000. We draw on theories of social movements to explain the success of the first of these protests and the failure of the second. We show how the loose, network forms of organisation con- tributed to the success in September, and the attempts to impose more formal organisations helped to cause the failure in November. We also show how the success of the protests depended on the articulation of the aims of the protesters with dominant social forces in British politics, in particular the oil companies, the police, and the mass media. Just how do you organise a picket, apparently with small numbers and overwhelmingly peaceful, and get the co-operation of the indus- try you target (like the powerful oil industry)-and the co-operation of the police, along with apparent widespread public support? Having done this, you virtually bring the nation to a standstill in a matter of days; you do not get arrested or beaten by riot police; and get to be number one news for days. You also get to dictate what goes in and out of your target industry and, while not actually physically stop- ping any trucks, you declare that your peaceful picket will prevent all but emergency service deliveries. (Email from an animal rights activist commenting on the fuel protests posted on closed email list, 14 September 2000) © Political Studies Association 2003. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA 1

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