Are there sociological, political and economic reasons for the riots

[Meade's Ball]

I think a good number of people were simply sucked into the chaos of it. Greed was certainly an influence, but mob mentalities can sometimes make one step out of character and be more devilish than one knew they could be. A huge number of people were terribly young and as we know their job is to mirror until they know themselves well enough to decide.
That's not an excuse at all. We're just trying to work out why. Some people are more than likely pure bad. Others speckled with good we're yet to see. And others still until last week the essence of purity.
Overall, it's a real combination of reasons that perhaps we'll never pinpoint. A lawlessness had parked upon us thanks to the government making money for themselves first and then the police selling secrets to newspapers. We were suddenly a completely amoral society headed by the completely untrustworthy. Then individuals took the opportunity to strike for their self-interest without a single care for those they hurt. A few likely saying they were making a statement. And others simply absorbed into the mentalness of it.

 

[SeagullEd]

We need to seperate the riots, as someone previously touched on, into the intial reaction to the shooting and the copy-cat behaviour which I believe was fueled by pure material greed.

My problem with the liberal perspective, one which I share, is the timing of it. I completely agree that there are deep sociological problems in today's Britain and these influenced. BUT people making this point during the riots just seemed to legitimise the riots and gave rioters an excuse.

The idea that these riots have been caused by deep sociological problems depends on the idea that things happen over time - the seeds for this were sowed a long time ago. And as such, this viewpoint shouldn't have been expressed striaght away. In doing so, it now has less legitimacy.

I believe the correct way to handle this situation would be for the initial reaction to be one of horror and disgrace and dealing with the crimes and punishing accordingly to prevent further such crimes.

THEN sentences relating to the criminals should have been focused on reforming these 'characters'. For example, I firmly believe that some of their sentence should be spent cleaning up the streets of london to try to compensate and install a working mentality.

After this, we can focus on the root underlying problems which have cause this and try to mend them, long term.

I understand the liberal perspective was given in reaction to very red-kneck statements but trying to engage in a meaningful debate about the lack of opportunities and economic problems was much more likely to happen if it was left a bit until the anger had diminished. A meaningful debate is now much harder to create because it'll be forever (well, near future) associated with 'making excuses'. This has played PERFECTLY into the hands of the right-wing, notably the tories.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Both-

But having passed through the education system,some less academic types who cannot be lawyers,stockbrokers etc have a 250 year low(at the same time as this countries record highest population) of choice of manual work to go into.

drugs are another reason why so many do so much reckless things.

 

[AuntAgonist]

Monkey see, monkey do. Plus Free Stuff™ and outlet for agression caused by many socioeconomic factors.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

I think a good number of people were simply sucked into the chaos of it. Greed was certainly an influence, but mob mentalities can sometimes make one step out of character and be more devilish than one knew they could be. A huge number of people were terribly young and as we know their job is to mirror until they know themselves well enough to decide.
That's not an excuse at all. We're just trying to work out why. Some people are more than likely pure bad. Others speckled with good we're yet to see. And others still until last week the essence of purity.
Overall, it's a real combination of reasons that perhaps we'll never pinpoint. A lawlessness had parked upon us thanks to the government making money for themselves first and then the police selling secrets to newspapers. We were suddenly a completely amoral society headed by the completely untrustworthy. Then individuals took the opportunity to strike for their self-interest without a single care for those they hurt. A few likely saying they were making a statement. And others simply absorbed into the mentalness of it.

The sea always reflects the colour of the sky-parents are the sky.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Because the rioters NEED another phone,gameboy,TV,designer gear they are socially deprived? Get real these toerags probably have more at home than you dream of. And nothing excuses arson and murder. If you can excuse these people and you want to live in that kind of society then by all means stand up for them. I love my country and don't want to see it destroyed by these thugs.

 

[countryman]

Surely the correct answer is both. Mindless, greedless, thievery and thuggery underpinned by social and economic and political problems.

Economic? They were organising it on their Blackberrys...