It is even harder to explain what really was the cause. Of course, the press go for simplistic explanations with the usual hyperbole, with people on the right blaming a break down in family values, discipline and Melanie Phillips referencing the failure of the liberal experiment and that as a result the chickens have come home to roost - pretty much blaming the liberal intelligentsia for all Britain's ills. It is as if they think Britain in 1950 was this wonderful idyllic place, where everything was perfect: where there was no violence, gang culture, or vigilantism and that all we need to do is turn the clock back. How naive and clearly wrong.
The left look to social inequality and poverty for an explanation, but some also cite simplistic explanations, such as the Coalition's cuts programme. What is clear from the recent riots is that there is no simple explanation. Riots in the past have had a clear purpose, but this was different as there didn't seem to be any real purpose or cause. As a Liberal I am sympathetic to the argument that social inequality (which has grown during recent Conservative and Labour governments) is partly to blame here as in my view the gap between the haves and the have nots has caused frustration for many, who feel trapped in an endless cycle of poverty, drift and a lack of opportunity. However, it is too simplistic just to blame this - you can look to other places around the world where poverty is more endemic or where unemployment is more prevalent (for example youth unemployment in Spain is around 40%) and such behaviour has not happened.
There was a sense that some were involved just because they wanted to destroy, steal and to engage in lawlessness with little respect for authority. To some degree a more consumerist and materialistic society has led to some to feel a sense of entitlement to material things without a realisation that they have to be worked for. However, many of our inner cities have become almost like ghettos in parts with many people feeling no connection with wider society and have fallen into sub-cultures. This has to be addressed, so that all in our society feel a sense of worth and collective responsibility to our wider community. It is important to address it through education and appropriate employment opportunities. If we don't do this, we are in danger of a more divided society with greater drift.
Finally, we must be careful of not engaging in knee jerk reactions to this. This should not be an excuse for draconian illiberal government measures. Governments are always tempted to legislate in times of crisis - this should be approached with caution.
Well Rich, generally I think that's a fair assessment, although obviously I think that the coalitions cuts are certainly one of many factors that have played a part in this behaviour. Not in a simplistic way.
ReplyDeleteI'd argue that there aren't many people on the left being that simplistic. We're living in times where to seek to understand the behaviour of the human beings, generally youngsters, often minors, who have engaged in these mindless actions against their own communities is instantly claimed to be condoning the violence.
One of the things that has created this disenfranchisement is certainly the cuts programme which is taking away youth clubs and other forces that would try and intervene in these peoples social plight. That said there are many other factors. Consumerism as you say is bang up there. Human nature. Greed. Opportunism. Criminal gangs. But most of these are still partially related to poverty, education and cultural outlook.
I believe in the redistribution of wealth. But that isn't what is happening here. This is violent assault on other poor people and their livelihoods.
One thing I would say though is that Spain has seen civil unrest:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/police-clash-with-protesters-in-barcelona/
Although these have been much more targeted actions with aims.
how would you fix the problem?
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