The London riots in 2011 hit England very hard. They came up at a time when only a few people, like social workers or some politicians, were suspecting the chance of trouble among the population.
The year 2011 has changed the world and its history completely with the uprisings in Arabia, called “The Arabian Spring”. One year before nobody would have thought that regimes like in Egypt, Tunisia or Libya will be toppled out of power within only a few months. Starting in Tunisia and spreading over to Egypt, caused by the suicide of a man, revolutions broke out.
Many opinion writers compared the uprisings in the Arabian world with the ones in London and all over England in 2011. They compared it, because the riots came up so spontaneously, on the one hand in Tunisia with the suicide of a young man and on the other hand in London with the shooting of a young man by the police . The exact reasons will be explained below.
Many saw the riots as a wake-up call of a lost generation, of those who are rejected from mainstream British society. This rejection formed a powder keg over several years that exploded when the riots took place.
More than in the Arabian Spring the London riots became a part of a long line of expressions of social unhappiness in the Western European societies, like in France. All those countries have introduced welfare systems to care for their populations. But despite centuries of effort they have not been able to solve the problems. Like in London there was action in Paris, the capital of France, too. Thousands were protesting against social cuts and a perceived lack of future. Like in London cars were burning, stores were smashed and violence ruled on the streets .
This examples show that there are differences between the riots. On the one hand there have been revolutions against repression and the willing of millions to give their lives if necessary for freedom . On the other hand protests and actions caused by social unhappiness. But they had one thing in common: The leading role of the social media to keep the uprisings running.
Facebook, Twitter, the Black Berry Messenger Service and other social media hand over the chance to the protesters to organize and plan the coming demonstrations or like in London: new lootings.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The beginning of the riots
3. Location
4.1 Social reasons
4.2 Other reasons
5. Role of the social media
5.1 Facebook
5.2 Twitter
5.3 Blackberry Messenger (BBM)
5.4 Reactions of the state
6.1 Political consequences
6.2 Economic consequences
7. May the riots repeat?
Objectives and Core Topics
The academic work examines the 2011 London riots to determine whether these events were merely opportunistic looting incidents or a legitimate uprising of a disillusioned generation excluded from mainstream society. The study explores the underlying social causes and the significant influence of digital communication tools on the progression of the unrest.
- Socio-economic triggers of the London riots, including poverty and unemployment in Tottenham.
- The critical role of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter) and Blackberry Messenger in organizing unrest.
- The reaction of the British government and authorities to the use of digital communication tools.
- Analysis of the political and economic consequences resulting from the riots.
- Investigation into the potential for future recurrence based on current societal trends.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
The London riots in 2011 hit England very hard. They came up at a time when only a few people, like social workers or some politicians, were suspecting the chance of trouble among the population.
The year 2011 has changed the world and its history completely with the uprisings in Arabia, called “The Arabian Spring”. One year before nobody would have thought that regimes like in Egypt, Tunisia or Libya will be toppled out of power within only a few months. Starting in Tunisia and spreading over to Egypt, caused by the suicide of a man, revolutions broke out.
Many opinion writers compared the uprisings in the Arabian world with the ones in London and all over England in 2011. They compared it, because the riots came up so spontaneously, on the one hand in Tunisia with the suicide of a young man and on the other hand in London with the shooting of a young man by the police. The exact reasons will be explained below.
Many saw the riots as a wake-up call of a lost generation, of those who are rejected from mainstream British society. This rejection formed a powder keg over several years that exploded when the riots took place.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the 2011 London riots and establishes the research goal of distinguishing between opportunistic looting and social rebellion.
2. The beginning of the riots: Chronicles the initial timeline of the riots following the death of Michael Duggan.
3. Location: Identifies the geographical spread of the riots, focusing on the affected districts and the overarching climate of social unhappiness.
4.1 Social reasons: Analyzes the structural socio-economic factors in Tottenham, such as unemployment and poverty, that contributed to the unrest.
4.2 Other reasons: Discusses alternative perspectives regarding the riots, focusing on the desire for looting and the lack of political motivation compared to the Arabian Spring.
5. Role of the social media: Explores how digital platforms acted as tools for mass communication and organizing protests.
5.1 Facebook: Details the influence of Facebook as a platform for sharing information during the riots.
5.2 Twitter: Examines Twitter’s function as a key tool for mobilizing protesters despite its limitations.
5.3 Blackberry Messenger (BBM): Highlights the role of secured communication via BBM in evading official control.
5.4 Reactions of the state: Documents how authorities attempted to monitor and control social media communication channels.
6.1 Political consequences: Outlines the political response, including the hiring of external advisors and the implementation of new social programs.
6.2 Economic consequences: Evaluates the financial impact on London businesses and the broader service sector.
7. May the riots repeat?: Assesses the likelihood of future unrest based on ongoing socio-economic challenges and the state of the young generation.
Keywords
London riots, 2011, Social media, Facebook, Twitter, Blackberry Messenger, Tottenham, Lost generation, Austerity, Unemployment, Economic consequences, Political unrest, Social unhappiness, Poverty, Public security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main subject of this research paper?
This paper examines the 2011 London riots, focusing on the reasons behind the outbreaks, the role of social media in organizing them, and the resulting political and economic consequences.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include socio-economic exclusion, the impact of government austerity, the mobilization power of digital communication, and the long-term status of the younger generation in Britain.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The objective is to determine if the London riots were merely a manifestation of opportunistic criminal activity or if they represented a deeper societal uprising caused by systemic neglect.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The work utilizes a combination of literature analysis, examination of contemporary news reports, and the analysis of statistical data regarding social structures and unemployment.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the timeline of the riots, local socio-economic conditions, the specific mechanisms used by rioters (such as social media), and an analysis of the government's reactions and the long-term impact on the British economy.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include London riots, social media, lost generation, poverty, unemployment, austerity, and political consequences.
Why was the Blackberry Messenger (BBM) more effective than other platforms during the riots?
BBM provided a secured communication channel that could not be easily monitored or controlled by the authorities, making it a critical, private tool for coordinating actions.
How does the author categorize the rioters compared to the Arabian Spring movement?
The author argues that while the Arabian Spring was a movement for political freedom and social participation, the London rioters were less politically motivated and focused more on the material desire to acquire goods they could not otherwise afford.
- Quote paper
- Robert Trabandt (Author), 2012, London Riots 2011, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/203238
