LEC 6 - Riots, Public Disorder and Violent Protest WEENINK Flashcards
What is collective non-institutionalized violence
Riots, public disorder, violent protest…
Elements:
Collective violence
A form of physical harmdoing in order to make the other succumb, give in, stop doing what they are doing
Non-institutionalized: the violence is not part of the daily functioning of an institution
An institution is a relatively durable set of social relationships that are formed to attain a shared goal
What is the Flashpoint Model?
A multilevel model of public disorder (Waddington et al, 2021)
Framework used to understand how minor incidents can escalate into widespread public disorder or riots through different lenses.
Structural-material
Political
Cultural
Contextual
Situational and interactional
Flashpoints: symbolic moments that provide meaning to the riot, set against its spatial and social context
What is the use of the flashpoint model?
The flashpoint model does not indicate when and where public disorder appears, and when and where not.
Flashpoint model remains fruitful to understand the
emergence of non-institutionalized collective violence it can help understand the context in which riots take place, analyze dynamics, triggers and guide policy.
But a more refined conceptualization is needed,especially with regard to how longer term feelings and short term emotions interact.
Why didnt riots happen in Leeds and Bristol as explained by newburn through the levels of the flashpoint model?
Structural. In all neigbourhoods poverty, inequality and deprivation, high crime rates, bad reputation
Note the importance of relative deprivation and
rising expectations theory
Political. In all neighbourhoods feelings of frustration,
neglect and being unheard (but improvements in Leeds)
Cultural. In Leeds antagonistic social identities AfroBritish and Asian-British; in Bristol unity and pride
Contextual. London low levels of trust; Bristol and Leeds
community policing, youth work, community mediation
Situational. London absence of police, access to targets (police vehicles); Leeds absence of exploitative retailers; Bristol discontent concentrated in a few areas remote from city centre
Interactional. London absence of police, lack of engagement; Leeds and Bristol connections between community members and police allowed for low key
policing yet showing forceful capacity
(see also Van Bruchem et al 2023)
How can building relationship shape collective non-instutionalized violence?
Followig the Social Identity model, police should: educate-facilitate-communicate-differentiate
However, building relationships is not structurally embedded in police organizations
European police officials indicate they deal with various groups, each requiring different forms of relationship building
Opportunistic disruptors
Beginners
Strategic players
Demo-partners
What is Reicher’s 1984 social identity model and relation to public order policing?
Steve Reicher’s Social Identity Model is a framework used to understand crowd behavior and public order policing. It emphasizes the role of social identity in shaping how individuals behave in crowds.
4 Key Concepts
**1. Social Identity
**People in crowds often identify with the group, which influences their behavior and actions
2. Group Dynamics
The behavior of the crowd is shaped by the interactions and relationships within the group
**3. Perception of Legitimacy
**The legitimacy of the police actions is crucial; if the police are seen as legitimate, the crowd is more likely to comply
**4. Escalation and De-escalation
**The model explains how certain police actions can escalate or de-escalate crowd behavior based on how they are perceived by the crowd
What examples does Newburn use to explain the principles for public order policing using SIM (reicher)
-
Educate: Police forces should actively educate themselves about the cultural norms, values, and beliefs of the crowds they are policing. This includes understanding the crowd’s perspective, motivations, and grievances, as well as the legitimate forms of conduct that arise from their shared social identity.
2.
Communicate: Clear and effective communication of police intentions is crucial to prevent misunderstandings and reduce tensions. This involves actively engaging with the crowd, explaining the rationale for police actions, and being receptive to the crowd’s concerns.
3.
Facilitate: Police should facilitate legitimate forms of protest and expression, recognizing that crowds have a right to assemble and voice their concerns. This involves creating space for peaceful protest, allowing for the expression of dissenting views, and avoiding unnecessary restrictions or provocations.
4.
Differentiate: Police should be able to differentiate between different groups and individuals within a crowd, recognizing that not all members share the same intentions or pose the same level of risk. This requires careful observation, assessment, and targeted interventions, focusing on those individuals or groups most likely to instigate violence.
5.
Avoid Indiscriminate Use of Force: The use of force should always be a last resort and should be proportionate to the threat posed. Indiscriminate or excessive force can escalate tensions, reinforce antagonistic social identities, and lead to a cycle of violence. In Chapeltown, community leaders cautioned the police about the potential for mishandling situations, citing an incident with a police dog as an example of how actions could easily inflame tensions.
What are the elements of intergroup interaction (Stott and Reicher (1998)
- The crowd as pathological, either as a set of antisocial individuals (Allport) or as deindividuated mass (Le Bon)
- Instead: social identity, dynamic self-categorization
- Crowd conflict becomes a possibility to the extent that one group acts ‘illegitimate’ in the eyes of the other
group - Antagonism and hostility are produced in intergroup interaction
What are police theories on the crowd? Stott & Reicher 1998
- Training: crowd is homogenous and dangerous
- Police views of the crowd: a minority who seeks violence, the majority are law abiding citizens… however the latter
is susceptible to agitation of the former - But the police itself is absent in the explanation
- The supposedly homogenous of the crowd is thought to require firm control
What are police practices to deal with the crowd? Stott & Reicher 1998
The crowd is literally seen as an undifferentiated mass of faces
Police action is targeted to disperse the crowd, dividing and containing it
When in action, the goal is to sweep the streets, and the protesters who remain, must be there for illegitimate reasons
So, crowds must be controlled as a whole
A self-fulfilling prophecy
What are the attractions of rioting?
A group of people rejoices behaviour that arouses indignation, abhorrence, fear and anger in others
A moral holiday; a place and time where disinhibited, disruptive behaviour is celebrated
Moral holidays are peak moments that generate strong feellings of communion and dominance
‘This is not the normal me’, ‘I was carried away’
Note: most participants are onlookers
What is a Moral Holiday
A moral holiday refers to a period or event where there is a temporary suspension or relaxation of normal social norms and expectations, often leading to increased disorder and potential violence. This concept is typically associated with large-scale events, festivals, or celebrations where crowds gather and the usual rules of behavior may be temporarily disregarded.
**Key characteristics **of moral holidays in relation to public order policing include:
Temporary suspension of norms: Social norms and expectations, such as respect for property, personal safety, and the law, may be temporarily disregarded or diminished.
Increased disorder and potential violence: The relaxation of norms can lead to increased instances of disorder, including property damage, public disturbances, and even violence.
Large gatherings: Moral holidays often occur in the context of large-scale events or gatherings, where the sheer number of people can contribute to a sense of anonymity and reduced accountability.
Challenges for law enforcement: Public order policing during moral holidays can be particularly challenging due to the potential for sudden and unpredictable outbreaks of disorder.
What are examples of a moral holiday?
Examples of moral holidays might include:
Sporting events: Large sporting events, such as major championships or tournaments, can sometimes be associated with instances of disorder, such as rioting or vandalism.
Festivals and celebrations: Festivals and celebrations, particularly those involving alcohol consumption or large crowds, can also be prone to disorder.
Political protests: Mass protests or demonstrations can sometimes turn violent, especially if they are poorly organized or if there is a breakdown in communication between protesters and law enforcement.
Why does violence occur at public manifestations?
‘The violent few’, a smaller group of men who are familiar with violence and intimidation takes the lead.
Others follow and at the kick of the moment because of:
The kick of the moment (communion and dominance) and longer term emotional orientations
What is the meaning of place for riots? Tiratelli 2018
These emotional orientations are more important to understand how riots spread than, for instance, opportunities for looting
Because riots mostly occur in places that are familiar to the participants …
… but where they often sense that their presence is conditional, not taken-for-granted
Now they own the place, temporarily
Police actions oriented towards taking over the spacewhen violence has not yet occured, will increase the likelihood of antagonism and escalation
What is Collins theory of violence (Riot context)
Randall Collins, a prominent sociologist, developed a theory of violence in his 2008 book, “Violence: A Sociological Theory.” This theory posits that violence is a product of emotional energy, which is generated through ritualized interactions within social groups.
