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Forty years ago Harvard Professor Edward Banfield wrote a chapter in his book about the riots of the 1960's. From what I can tell, almost everything he wrote a
by bokonist 15y ago
Forty years ago Harvard Professor Edward Banfield wrote a chapter in his book about the riots of the 1960's. From what I can tell, almost everything he wrote applies to these current riots in London.
The primary reason that people riot is that rioting is fun. It gives an immense surge of adrenaline and other hormones, it gives the thrill of chaos and action, of the power of mindless destruction. In order for a riot to occur there must be some sort of event that acts as a Schelling point or catalyst. This Schelling point might be a real grievance, or a contrived one. It might be some innocuous event, like a sports victory. News of the riot spreads via the news channels of the day - tv, internet, twitter, etc - and the riot snowballs. The final necessary ingredient is weakness on the part of the police. If the police are outnumbered, and only allowed to manually arrest with handcuffs, then the rioters will go wild, and even more rioters will join as they realize they suffer no consequence for their actions. If the police start beating the hell out of people, or even using live rounds, the riot ends fast.
Banfield's book is online. The section on riots starts on page 211:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49096486/Edward-C-Banfield-The-Unheavenly-City-Revisited http://www.scribd.com/doc/49096486/Edward-C-Banfield-The-Unh...
- techiferous 15y agothe thrill of chaos and action, of the power of mindless destruction. I find that really hard to relate to, although I do see this in some people. I wonder if these people have ever had the thrill of creation--birthing something beautiful and unique into the world? That's quite a rush, too. Are riots ultimately a symptom of a failure to educate, to guide, to nurture?
- bokonist 15y agoI think the thrill of the riot is pretty widespread. I myself am a pretty staid, law abiding, non-violent fellow. But I definitely feel the urge - whether its wanting to destroy my tennis racket after losing a game or wanting to participate in post-victory riots that I've witnessed first hand. But the thing that holds me back are a) fear of getting in trouble and b) my conscience. My mom brought me up with a very strict sense of right and wrong and that still stays with me. From what I have read and experienced of inner city culture, its the parenting (or lack thereof) and the failure to instill a conscience that makes rioting more common in these communities. Another factor is that the media and/or educational system and/or community culture have generally built up a sense of grievance and entitlement. That sense of grievance gives an excuse to act out, and a rationalization that assuages the conscience. These grievances may be real or not, but the destruction is still completely unjustified, because its certainly not the hard working storekeeper who's shop is getting burned who is responsible for whatever grievances the rioter might have had.
- willyt 15y agoAlso, more than likely you would lose your job and professional standing if you got busted for looting. This is a pretty big disincentive for you. But for the looters it's kudos.
- sigil 15y ago"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats." -- H.L. Mencken We all have the urge. Unfortunately, in cases like this one, some also lack the restraint.
- SkyMarshal 15y agoCreating is much more difficult than destroying. Creating actually takes preparation, discipline, work, sacrifice, frustration, and the ability to put off till tomorrow the pleasure we want to experience today. In so far as education tempers people with the ability to sustain that process, then yes you're probably right, it is a failure there. Not an easy problem to solve, though.
- techiferous 15y agoI totally agree with you. Creating is more difficult than destroying. Although part of me thinks that destroying at this level would be very difficult. I mean, these people are ransacking some 89-year-old's small business and looting retail stores. That should feel different than fighting an oppressor. Even though you are pumped up with adrenaline, isn't there some part of you that just knows that you're being part of the problem? That's what I have a difficult time understanding. But does this just show the brokenness of the situation? Do these people feel trapped, without hope, disaffected, like nothing matters?
- cincinnatus 15y agoA person is smart, people are animals...
- Tichy 15y agoI suppose if you lived in London, you could try it out for yourself.
- thom 15y agoIn geek circles, these feelings are usually channelled into an obsession with the zombie apocalypse.