Widespread public surprise after riots in 1980 and 1981 occurred, as the public sensed a danger of imminent social collapse. Riots continued into 1985, and 64 percent of individuals surveyed in a public opinion poll expected more riots to occur. Moreover, government officials did not respond adequately to the riots. Three broad perspectives on riots are considered: (1) the conservative view regards collective violence as rare, needless, without purpose, and irrational; (2) the liberal perspective sees violent outbursts as inevitable under certain conditions; and (3) the radical view interprets collective violence as purposeful, structured, and politically meaningful. Political, social, and economic contexts of urban unrest are discussed. Factors that may have caused the riots are identified as racial disadvantage and discrimination, unemployment, social and environmental deprivation, political exclusion and powerlessness, and mistrust of and hostility toward the police. A chronology of disorders in England covering the 1931-1939 period is appended. 55 notes