by Keith Locke
David Cameron’s answer to the British riots seems to be better policing. No doubt there could be improvements, but they shouldn’t be measures that hurt ordinary citizens, like the PM’s suggestion that there could be state controls on social networking.
If we really want to prevent such destructive rioting we have to address the “why” question. Why were so many British youth so angry and alienated that they would go on a violent rampage?
The New Zealand Herald’s news editor Graeme Baker attempted to answer that question in a column headed: “The riots were mindless, but not without reason.” He argued that many of the rioters can’t see a future: “there are 400-odd unemployed people for every job advertised in Tottenham, many of those part-time shop or cleaning work for minimum wage.” Add to that the big gap between rich and poor and you have an explosive mixture.
Could it happen here? It may be less likely, but New Zealand society has some of the same ingredients: growing social inequality and a teenage unemployment rate of almost 30%. We can’t avoid addressing these problems.
Published in Justice & Democracy | Society & Culture by Keith Locke on Fri, August 12th, 2011
Tags: foreign affairs, inequality, justice, UK riots, wealth inequality, youth unemployment
More posts by Keith Locke | more about Keith Locke
on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
Loading...
The Queen Street riot in late 1984 springs to mind as well – before Lange/Douglas started on the Rogernomics path as they had extended the price freeze and held an economic summit by that point.
Like or Dislike:
7 
1 (+6)
The ‘Why’ so many people see the need to run riot is indeed a good question for study. Will post any opines I find that are close to some answers
Like or Dislike:
1 
0 (+1)
The stock-standard answer from PM Cameron, would make his kiwi counter-part proud (methinks ?) More Cops on the streets, more Police powers, more prisons to lock ‘em up & more keeping the disposessed, under-class down-trodden !
The smart thing would be to look at why thousands of youth are rioting & looting in cities across the UK.. & could this be a wake-up call for potential copy-cat action in little old Aotearoa ?
Kia-ora
Like or Dislike:
4 
7 (-3)
The Brit PM and others are busy blaming the riots on the “criminal elements of society”. Which very conveniently gives them a shield against suggestion that there might be underlying problems.
Meet the new boss, the same as the old boss…
Like or Dislike:
7 
6 (+1)
I agree you have to ask the why, but I suspect we will differ on the why. These riots are in part caused by a society that puts childrens rights above that of their parents, a society that allows a child to assault a parent but punishes the parents for disciplining the child, a society where the rights of criminals are considered more important than those victimised by crime, a society where the police are unable to employ effective strategies in potentially volatile mob situations. I was listening to a panel discussion on a BBC radio programme discussing this, and one of the factors that came out of the discussion was that society started to break down when parents had the right to discipline their children taken away. This can (and possibly will) happen here, but it will have nothing to do with economic and social policy, it will come about as media increasingly criticise the authorities in their actions against criminals, and as politicians increasingly interfere in how parents raise their children, taking away the right to smack for discipline is the start of the slippery slope towards this.
Like or Dislike:
5 
5 (0)
What has happedned in London is mind disturbing. For quite some time the british have been failing to recognize this growing problem among its young, now there’s an awakening. My only hope is that the root cause of these problems within the british society are addressed. first it was the “NEW WORLD SAGA” and now “BRITISH KID” are taking over the towns.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
Like or Dislike:
7 
0 (+7)
missey….do you like spanking…?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Like or Dislike:
0 
2 (-2)
Kinky
Like or Dislike:
1 
0 (+1)
only in the eye of the beholder…
for missy…going on her own words…
‘discipline’ seems to be the/her desired norm…
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Like or Dislike:
0 
1 (-1)
missy..i have got two children…(now grown)..
..neither were hit…
..neither are rioting..
..go figure…!
..eh..?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Like or Dislike:
0 
1 (-1)
i have been following/collating the ‘why?’s..
http://whoar.co.nz/?s=riot
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Like or Dislike:
0 
1 (-1)
I would have thought the “why” was pretty obvious. They chose to.
Like or Dislike:
1 
1 (0)
Cameron should have faced the mobs down naked save for a coat of woad. That would have demonstrated courage, personal authority, a sense of tradition and would have made great TV.
Like or Dislike:
4 
0 (+4)
“I would have thought the “why” was pretty obvious. They chose to.”
Stating the obvious. Why did these people choose to now? It isn’t typical behaviour, public servants don’t ransack Lambton Quay in their lunch hours?
Like or Dislike:
1 
0 (+1)
“..They chose to…”
..because…?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Like or Dislike:
1 
1 (0)
“The vices of the rich and great are mistaken for error; and those of the poor and lowly, for crimes.”
– Lady Marguerite Blessington – Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789-1849) Irish novelist.
David Cameron and the British House of Parliament are not close to answers – a myopic ignorance will do(apparently) – it’s not a bad one for Media Studies as this is the line the Sheeple will find most convenient.
Why cancel the Soccer out of fear, if this rebellion is not widespread?
The placing of a Band-Aid over Cancer may work, but I’d reckon not.
“Big Brother isn’t watching You”
However unacceptable the UK riots, we need to ask why they are happening
By Russell Brand
If we don’t want our young people to tear apart our communities then don’t let people in power tear apart the values that hold our communities together”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28835.htm
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
Mark suggests that “If we don’t want our young people to tear apart our communities then don’t let people in power tear apart the values that hold our communities together”, but I suspect he is coming at it from the wrong view.
The rendering of community values comes from overtaxing the productive and rewarding the indolent, from crushing aspiration and rewardig mediocrity, the condoning of violence and thuggery in the streets and the destruction of property, of an abhornce of imprisoning serious offenders, and of devloping a sense of entitlement amongst the welfare class at the expense of the working class who support them.
That is what “tear[s] apart the values that hold our communities together”.
Like or Dislike:
0 
3 (-3)
Quite right – The rendering of community values comes from overtaxing the productive and rewarding the indolent, such as corporate CEOs, from crushing the aspirations of poor people who work for their living and rewarding mediocrity, exhibited by football players, celebrities and politicians, the condoning of violence and thuggery in the streets by the authorities and the destruction of property by speculators and stockbrokers, of an abhorrence of imprisoning serious offenders such as Rupert Murdoch’s mates, and of developing a sense of entitlement amongst the wealthy welfare class at the expense of the working class who support them.
Like or Dislike:
2 
1 (+1)
Sam does a very good line is manufacturing strawpeople: nowhere in my post did I condone frausters, charlitans, and marketing gimmicks.
What I did note is the wholesale attacks on the productive working classes by those who seek to take what little wealth the have and give it to the beneficiary classes. The Reds are guilty of that with their lust for overtaxation.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
I was pointing out that the recent cult of ‘leadership’ has boomeranged. The youth of Britain have, unfortunately, followed their ‘leaders’ to the letter.
I quite agree that, given the chance, ‘Reds’ steal the worker’s wealth for themselves. However, the last time the ‘Reds’ had any real influence in the UK was when the trade unions fought their last battles in the 1970s. Since then the capitalists have ruled the roost, and they really need to admit that. You can’t keep blaming the influence of your vanquished enemies forever.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0 (+1)
No MS. Beneficiary bashing is just a smokescreen to cover up those who are really taking the wealth from productive working people.
14 billion a year in overseas profits and interest. Mostly on speculation on existing assets. Soon to be doubled as National finish the process.
Leaving productive working people to pick up the pieces while the thieves get their rewards from grateful US corporates.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
Just for you MS.
http://kjt-kt.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-in-decent-society-we-should-support.html
“It is becoming increasingly apparent that there are growing prejudices in our country targeted at those who receive a government benefit. Note, we’re not talking about subsidies in the agricultural industry, bail-outs for investors who took risks in finance companies that have failed or high income earners who shift their capital around in order to access government benefits – somehow they are exempted from the seething anger aimed at beneficiaries. The targets for the prejudices are those who access the unemployment, invalids and domestic purposes benefits. In many people’s eyes these are a different breed of receiver of government money than the others.”.
At the end of the day most beneficiaries are us, given a bit of bad luck, an accident or prolonged illness away.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
Kerry’s rhetoric on “US corporates” reveals his bias and misses the point: much of this nations debt is in Austraila and China. And its from people borrowing to payt for things that they could have afforded if they’d not been taxed so much in the past.
(PS is ‘MS’ directed at my my nym, which abbreviates down to MC?)
Like or Dislike:
0 
1 (-1)
Kerrys strawman arguemenst on “most beneficiaries are us, given a bit of bad luck, an accident or prolonged illness away” fails to address the issue being addressed: willfully unemployed who choose to bludge off society (and the working classes who support them).
When Kerry can see beyond the diadic and bipolar lens of a capital-labour schism, he might grasp the bigger picture
Like or Dislike:
0 
1 (-1)
MS is a private joke.
The money, even from China, is provided by US owned corporations. I thought you would know that. Where do you think China gets their dollars from?
And how would we have afforded more, if in the past we had to pay double to get the infrastructure education and health we provide through taxation, from the private sector.
Of course private provision of healthcare, power, education and building inspection etc works so well!
The evidence shows that State provision is so much better that any advocate of privatisation is either a self seeking criminal or totally ignorant. Which are you?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
MS. If they were “wilfully” unemployed how come when the jobs were there, very few were unemployed. Actually about equal to what you would expect from “churn:.
MS is just participating in the smokescreen put up by the thieves.
Trade unions today, beneficiaries tomorrow. What will be next. “Jews”.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
Ah , I quote others for the purpose of debate – sometime play ‘devil’s advocate’ (not as well as samiam) – but chaos theory suggests an underlying plan behind the disaffection which will allow us to grant our ‘free and fair’ government’s Total Control.
Why? There’s gold in them there Shills – is it $71 trillion missing from the Pentagons books?
I can look it up to be exact but that would encourage indolence – enough to know that the lies are bigger than history has recorded hence.
Privatisation is working well in Mt Eden (Exclusive interview with Clients)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
PS; the notion that people should be applying for jobs that just aren’t there is indicative of a “Ninny State”.
Go down the Cancer Ward and tell them to get off their asses.
Whatever you hear next – double it and remember….
Like or Dislike:
1 
0 (+1)
Rioting and increase public unrest being used widely in 3rd world country for serving political party. Re-brand public issues for unemployment , high cost of living, access to public fund or subsidies development scheme and low income cap were among keys issues for citizen uprising. Most proprietor was not citizens itself. It is plan and fund by certain party for making impact to gain economically or increase political standing. For normal citizen , harmony and peace were enough to serve it purpose. Example , burning hen houses for increase price of poultry meat . This practice was an act of cruelty but it serve poultry businessmen for century.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)