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
- Introduction
- The beginning of the riots
- Location
- Reasons
- Social reasons
- Other reasons
- Role of the social media
- Blackberry Messenger (BBM)
- Reactions of the state
- Consequences
- Political consequences
- Economic consequences
- May the riots repeat?
Objectives and Key Themes
This seminar paper aims to examine the 2011 London riots, exploring their origins, the role of social media in their escalation, and their lasting consequences. The paper seeks to determine whether the riots were simply acts of looting or represented a broader expression of social unrest from a disenfranchised generation.
- The social and economic factors contributing to the riots.
- The role of social media in facilitating and amplifying the riots.
- The immediate and long-term consequences of the riots (political and economic).
- The potential for future similar events.
- Comparison with other social uprisings, such as the Arab Spring.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the surprising nature of the 2011 London riots, contrasting them with the Arab Spring uprisings. It emphasizes the spontaneous nature of the events and the role of social media in their spread. The author frames the riots as a potential "wake-up call" regarding social inequality and the alienation of a generation from mainstream British society, drawing parallels to similar unrest in other Western European nations. The introduction ultimately establishes the paper's central question: were the riots simply looting or a symptom of deeper societal problems?
The beginning of the riots: This chapter details the immediate trigger for the riots – the shooting of Michael Duggan by police – and explains how peaceful protests quickly escalated into widespread violence. It situates the riots geographically and temporally, beginning in Tottenham and spreading rapidly across the country over five days.
Location: This section provides a geographical overview of the areas most affected by the riots, highlighting the concentration of unrest in poor districts of London. It supports this with visual data, demonstrating the spatial distribution of the violence.
Social reasons: This chapter delves into the underlying socioeconomic conditions in Tottenham and other affected areas. It examines high rates of unemployment, poverty, low minimum wage, and high living costs, painting a picture of widespread economic hardship and social deprivation contributing to the unrest. Data is presented showcasing the disproportionate impact on poor communities.
Keywords
London riots, 2011, social media, social unrest, economic inequality, poverty, unemployment, police brutality, Tottenham, social consequences, political consequences, Arab Spring.
London Riots of 2011: A Comprehensive Overview - FAQ
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a seminar paper analyzing the 2011 London riots. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The paper explores the origins of the riots, the role of social media in their escalation, and their lasting consequences, examining whether they were simply acts of looting or a broader expression of social unrest.
What are the main topics covered in the paper?
The paper covers the following key areas: the immediate trigger for the riots, the geographical spread of the violence, the underlying social and economic factors contributing to the unrest (such as high unemployment, poverty, and low minimum wage), the role of social media (Facebook, Twitter, BBM) in facilitating and amplifying the riots, the immediate and long-term political and economic consequences of the riots, and the potential for future similar events. A comparison with other social uprisings, such as the Arab Spring, is also included.
What were the immediate triggers of the 2011 London riots?
The immediate trigger was the shooting of Michael Duggan by police. This event sparked peaceful protests which quickly escalated into widespread violence.
Where did the riots take place and why were these locations affected?
The riots began in Tottenham and rapidly spread across London and other parts of the country over five days. The areas most affected were predominantly poor districts of London, highlighting the disproportionate impact on economically disadvantaged communities.
What were the underlying social and economic reasons for the riots?
The paper examines high rates of unemployment, poverty, low minimum wage, and high living costs in affected areas. These socioeconomic factors created widespread economic hardship and social deprivation, significantly contributing to the unrest.
What role did social media play in the riots?
The paper investigates the role of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Blackberry Messenger (BBM) in facilitating and amplifying the riots. It explores how these platforms were used to organize, spread information about, and escalate the events.
What were the consequences of the 2011 London riots?
The document outlines both the immediate and long-term political and economic consequences of the riots. The analysis considers the impact on society and the economy, as well as the potential political repercussions.
Could similar riots happen again?
The paper explores the potential for future similar events, considering the underlying social and economic conditions that contributed to the 2011 riots.
How does this paper compare the 2011 London riots to other events?
The paper draws parallels between the London riots and other social uprisings, such as the Arab Spring, to provide a broader context for understanding the events.
What are the key terms associated with this study?
Key terms include: London riots, 2011, social media, social unrest, economic inequality, poverty, unemployment, police brutality, Tottenham, social consequences, political consequences, and Arab Spring.
- Citation du texte
- Robert Trabandt (Auteur), 2012, London Riots 2011, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/203238
