[lbo-talk] London riots anew

[Marv Gandall]

Maybe we can agree that, like most everything else, riots are contradictory phenomena - both in terms of their objectives and the makeup of the people who are drawn to them. 

Take this extensive list of London riots dating back to the 12th century, for example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_riot

Some can be seen as clear expressions of social and political grievances, often peaceful gatherings triggered by police brutality; others, mindless eruptions over sporting matches or pogroms against against religious and ethnic minorities - the latter what you might call, to borrow from Bebel, the mass action of fools.