Learning from the Riots

The BBC recently aired the first in a series titled "The Riots: In Their Own Words", where it reconstructs interviews conducted by the Guardian and the LSE. These interviews were held because they wanted answers as to why the riots happened. It appeared the program solved little however, as the politically minded still can't find a consensus on what led to the Tottenham Riots.

As always, the "Left" (a horribly vague generalisation) more or less decided the riots were the result of underlying socio-economic problems and a prejudice towards the rioting classes. This argument fits nicely with their ideology of increased social security for the poor. Meanwhile, the more conservative "Right" (see Left) argued it was because of a lack of values and the weakening of law and order, which complements their argument for tougher prison sentences.

However, neither of these ideologies seem to account for all the behaviour shown during the riots. A demand for justice by the rioter's for their ills does not account for extreme arson and looting. A lack of adequate policing does not explain why there are no riots now that police cuts are in full swing. Despite this, the parties still hold their ideas as fact. Nowhere have I seen someone change their views because of the events during the Riots, I have only seen existing views re-enforced.

It is because of this we are unable to create a consensus towards what caused the riots, as we can only see it as between one reason or the other, ignoring the fact they might both be contributing factors. There will have been some rioting because rioters felt indignant at injustice. Some rioters will have rioted out of opportunism and greed. Some will have rioted just for an exciting night out. Most will have rioted for all these reasons combined.

Ask any historian what the cause of World War One was and he will give you many. Ask any historian what the cause of the French Revolution was, and he will give you many. Remarkable events rarely have one cause and this is the lesson we have to learn before we can learn from the riots.