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Collective Violence and the Rejection of Authority

NCJ Number
150077
Journal
Cahiers de la Securite Interieure Issue: 14 Dated: (August-October 1993) Pages: 105-136
Author(s)
J Benyon
Date Published
1993
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes recent British riots and crowd violence and suggests factors which encourage collective violence.
Abstract
Investigations of crowd violence in Britain since the 1980's indicate that five conditions are present in nearly all instances: a high unemployment rate among the young; a general deterioration of housing facilities, social structures, and the environment; an exclusion from the political process; distrust and hostility toward the police; and racial prejudice. However, these conditions are present in other parts of Great Britain and Europe without resulting outbreaks of violence. The article isolates six additional factors which encourage rioting and urban strife. First, government programs and police measures have been unable to resolve Great Britain's urban problems. Second, some groups of the population to do not identify with the society's norms and values. Third, formal structures and institutions which could bring some members of the British population into the political process are missing. Fourth, excluded from the political decisionmaking process, these British citizens reject authority. Fifth, they also feel that the British government lacks legitimacy because of existing social injustices and instances of police brutality. Last, many underprivileged citizens perceive the British government as unjust. The article concludes that given the extent of the problems, no quick remedies can be expected. 57 references

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