I would imagine that the middle restrict their crimes to what they can get away with. Like raiding the stationary cupboard. Even so a few opted to try looting, probably thought that they would get away with it so took a chance. The opportunities for those at the top are immense, and for those at the bottom they could try anything to get ahead.

New Scientist have covered why people do it.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2 ... oting.html

I do recall a Telegraph article trying to imply that almost none of the rioters were working class/benefits claimants because they described four people (mentioned in the NS article) out of the thousands of rioters who weren't from those groups. It's always possible to find a statistically insignificant number of exceptions, which is how most news stories are written in these days of blatant bias and agendas.




Yep.

80%+ of rioters under 25, youth unemployment running at 21%+, coincidence?

Yes but in Spain youth unemployment is around 40 to 50%. In southern Italy it is 60%. In Piraeus in Greece all unemployment is 60%, and youth unemployment is even higher. We are lucky here even though things are getting worse.

True. Part of the difference is IMO, we get much more influenced by American culture than they do, and American culture (I have found) is incredibly materialistic. May be why they riot to smash up their government, whereas we riot to get consumer durables..

Jon

On the point about Spain. I think you'll find that given the 5 different kinds of police available here, you're never too far away from a visible sidearm and even just the looks they give you would be enough to deter most people, let alone kids. That said, the attitude here is very different. There is respect for each other and life. There is "educado". Which is to say that the Spanish prize manners and protocol in social interaction. Although the Canarians are a lot lazier with that, coming across as "educado" will get you far here. Coming across as most of the young people of England (or indeed most of THE PEOPLE from England) will likely get you nowhere with police, bar staff, shop assistants and any number of other people.

In the UK, nobody gives a [LIFTED].

Yes excessive materialism here and a lack of respect are definite factors here. One good thing to come out of the coalition austerity package is that most people will be a lot poorer so materialism might not be a factor.

Nonsense. "Austerity" will do nothing to reverse 60 years of growth, excess, and consumerism. People in the West want their stuff and they don't care how they get it, or who has to suffer for that to happen. In the past, that was restricted to Far Eastern sweat shops or whatever. Now it's a just a little more blatant.

Tell that to the Irish how have had their standard of living slashed. We will not go back to the levels of the 50's We will be back to the levels of the nineties, beginning or end of the decade will be known over time. It will be moderated by what we have already got. We might still be materialistic but most will not be able to keep up. Don't forget that the majority have not had an increase in their real wage since 2003. It will be a continuing and enduring squeeze on standards of living for more than a decade.

Squeeze or no squeeze. Attitudes to capitalism and materialism cannot and will not change overnight. People will still want their stuff, whether they can afford it or not. And for some time to come. That was my point.

60 years of? IMO the "me, me, me" and "now, now, now" culture is a product of Thatcherism and something continuously encouraged by big business, successive governments and everyone else with a vested interest in our consumer spending-driven economy.

Agreed. But it started post war with televisions and washing machines and just got a lot worse in the last 30yrs. And for the record, their are very people who have a truly vested interest in our capitalist economy, it's just that those few are VERY clever, and we are far too easy to manipulate.

Since the war, we have essentially wanted for nothing and finally people are beginning to realise that that is unsustainable (to use a fashionable word).

I will accept that. It will take time but then so will the time needed for the economy to recover. We have 30 years of accumulated debts to eliminate. I think that what will happen is that competition for customers will be more intense and prices will fall for many items as people simply do not have the money to pay at the prices companies want except for a few companies that can set their own prices.

Ditto you said it better than I here I call it the Grandma protocol ,
I f gran says be here for lunch ,then you will be ,simples ,and she dont care if you were clubbing it till 8.00 am .