Criminological Theories in the London Riots Context - Coursework Example

Criminological theories in the London riots context al affiliation Criminological theories in the London riots context In August 2011, London experienced one of the most violent riots in recent history. These riots were witnessed in several other places such as East Ham, Chingford, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, among others. Different people have come up with diverse theories of explaining the roots of these riots. Criminological theories have been mostly used to try and provide a comprehensive rationalization of these disturbances. For the function of this essay, criminological theories will be used to explain these recent occurrences. The classical approach, social exclusion theory, and the sociological explanations of crime according to the Chicago School will be used as the main theories. In addition, other relevant theories will be used to strengthen the views expressed by the above mentioned approaches, to explain the reasons for the London riots. Nevertheless, it is important to note that although rioters tried justifying the riots, there are other healthier ways of making their grievances known. The riots in London started just over a year after the coalition government came into power, following the 2010 election. These were not the first riots; previously, the country had witnessed student riots, trade union marches and numerous strikes. This, therefore, begs the question of whom or else what is to be held responsible for the unrest and consequent crimes in the country. Here, are some of the hypotheses that have been proposed to explicate these events. Poverty and materialism The London riots can be explained in terms of economic constraints among the people living in the poor suburbs of the city. As explained by social theorists on the ecology of crime, theft and robbery are products of paucity and economic need (Hudson, 2003). The mentioned areas experience extremely high poverty rates, as well as rampant unemployment. Statistics show the rate of unemployment in Tottenham to be at 8.8 %, while this same suburb ranks fourth highest in child poverty. People in such neighborhoods are the same ones who live in a country characterized by capitalist ideologies, where consumerism is proposed as the answer to a wavering economy. In a capitalist economy, as advanced by Marxist theorists, the ruling class is in charge of production means, while oppressing the poor. Grover (2008) states that, as the gap between the poor and the rich widens, so do social problems such as ill-health, crime and imprisonment in proportionate measure. As a result, the group that has the most power uses this power to make laws that controls the society and subjugates the poor. According to proponents of the sociology of crime approach, it is impossible to differentiate between the poor and dissolute from criminals. Authority agents are seen as puppets of the rich and mighty in the society, while at the same time oppressing the less fortunate. A hypothesis known as the “social threat”, under the Chicago School’s explanations of criminal activities in the social context has been advanced to explain the nature of crimes. This approach holds that crimes and deviant acts continue to rise in a percentage direct to the total number of the populace against the security of the welfare of the powerful in the society. According to Jones (2008), the social ecology of a given society determines the behavior of that society. The poor Londoners are stereotyped as the ‘dangerous’ group in society. If the rich are being privileged and there is prejudice in the administration of the law, then the poor will commit crimes as a form of retaliation. This was the case in Britain; as the rich and powerful state administrators were vacationing abroad; poor Londoners took to the streets to protest against harsh economic conditions and police brutality. Police harassment These riots originated from the killing of Mark Duggan, a young black man in the streets of Tottenham, by the police. Although people from different races participated in the riots, the black people were the most angered and formed majority of the protesters. Police in London have been known to treat common Londoners, particularly the black minority unfairly. This group has been subject to constant police harassment and monitoring; as opposed to the how the white majority in London is treated. For example, in case of a criminal act, the first police target will be the black people, before the whites are even considered as potential criminals. Under the classical school of thought, proponents argue that there should be equality before the law (Burke, 2009). Institutions that have been put in place to protect ordinary citizens are very biased, and are the same ones that violate the rights of these citizens. For example, in Britain, statistics show that black people are three times likely to be arrested than white people. Offences such as drug peddling and street robberies are likely to yield more black arrests than white. Majority of black people who are stopped and searches claim that they are never given sufficient reasons for searches, and this undermines their legal rights. The police and other authority-yielding institutions have been singling out the black minority, who live in the poorest neighborhoods as criminals. Racial heterogeneity, according to the social disorganization theory advanced by the Chicago school of thought is a major cause of crime. Hale (2007) asserts that this phenomenon can best be explained using the labeling theory, which holds that the stigmatization and labeling of the black minority as criminals only serves to instigate more criminal activities by this group. This is because, as a result of being constantly suspected, this group of people has nothing to lose by being criminals. Whether or not they engage in crimes, they are still going to be stopped, searched, and suspected of criminal intent. This, therefore, creates a care-free attitude in this people, where they care less about the impacts their actions have on society. The symbolic Interactionist approach best explains this phenomenon between the police and ordinary citizens (Coleman & Norris, 2000). According to this theory, the way the police handles a citizen is a major determinant of either a positive or negative outcome. For example, if a police officer stops a common citizen on the streets and asks for their cooperation in solving a given crime, the person is most likely to cooperate, and the crime will be solved peacefully. However, if the police treat everyone they meet on the streets as a suspect, and start harassing them, the person is most likely to resist, and a confrontation will ensue (Jones, 2006). The second scenario is a common occurrence in London’s poor neighborhoods, with the police arresting innocent youth arbitrarily. It is in line with this approach that, when the riots broke out in London, and the police were slow to respond, the situation got worse. The youth took advantage and exerted revenge by willingly engaging in criminal activities such as arson and looting. Unemployment among the youth Unemployment among the youth is very rampant in Britain and especially in the impoverished outskirts of London. Research shows that there are about 54 job seekers per single job opening in these neighborhoods. This loosely translates to very thin job opportunities and very idle, frustrated youth in the society (Lilly, Cullen & Ball, 2011). Majority of the youth participated in the riots because they practically had nothing constructive to do. Some of them were not even acquainted with the reasons for the riots; but provided they had a chance to get free stuff that they otherwise would never have possessed, they too rioted. This characteristic of low-class youths is best explained by the social exclusion theory. Juvenile delinquency according to Downes & Rock (2007) is as a result of social structures in which these youths find themselves in. This group adapts to the low-class society they are born to, characterized by aggression, toughness, and trouble-making. They, thus react with anger to the fact that they cannot meet their positively esteemed goals due to social stratification and go about committing crimes to release this negative energy. Cote (2002) is of the view that, in the ecology of crime, moral defects in an individual and society at large are a result of poor living conditions. Opportunism The last assumption of the causes of the riots witnessed in London is the view that some of the youth joined in the riots just for the fun of it. These are the people who do not have a hard time making ends meet, and are not frequently suspected to be criminals. On a report commissioned by the government concerning the riots, some youths testified that they were just curious onlookers who were caught up in the moment and took advantage of the opportunity to loot. Doherty (2003) is of the opinion that such an offender makes an individual choice and often an irrational decision to participate in criminal activities. Such decisions are made based on an individual’s connection to family, society and previous criminal records. This form of delinquency is unique since it involves the individual trying to fit in the society and especially in a peer group (Davies, 1974). This is the group of youth whose parents have as dictated by the society, prioritized their economic needs and weakened family bonds. The society has thus become more materialistic at the expense of instilling values in its young population both at home and in learning institutions. In the views of social disorganization thinkers such as those expressed by Deflem, Mathieu, & Chicoine (2010), the consequent urban crime is, therefore, in direct relation to the failure of the society, neighborhood, and the community to bring up morally upright youths. The latter grows up without a sense of belonging and develops social disorders, while trying to fit in a given group. Summary Judging by the foresaid, it is apparent that the riots and violence witnessed in London were not a spur-of-the-moment reaction. Rather, a sizeable number of Londoners had pressing issues, which they needed to make known to the authorities. These issues were the essence of the riots that had the British prime minister cut short his vacation abroad, in order to try quelling the violence. Critically analyzing the situation, one the most valid causes of the unrest is the issue of racial profiling of the black youth by the police and subsequent persecution of the former. It is unmerited that modern societies are typified by the stigmatization of chosen groups of people based on the color of their skin. It becomes even more disheartening if this kind of discrimination is being carried out by the very agents supposed to shield them from such vices. Another reasonable cause of the rioting would be the high poverty levels in some of the outskirts of London, coupled with massive youth unemployment and a capitalist society. All this factors have for a long time worked to disadvantage the urban poor, who have become subjects to the rich and powerful. The latter group has taken it upon themselves to decide which acts to be labeled as criminal or deviant and which acts are acceptable in the society (Hopkins-Burke, 2009). This does not mean that the riots were legitimate; rather, it only goes to show the suffering of the ordinary citizen. It is also the purpose of this essay to attempt and come up with solutions to these problems and possibly avert another riot. It would be in the best interests of everyone if the law protected everybody in the society, regardless of their socio-economic background. Law enforcement agencies should be more transparent in their activities and accept to be questioned where and when need be. Fattah (1997) holds that this is in accordance with the classical theory, which states that the rule of law should be upheld in the society. According to the functional theory proponents of criminology, the law should be able to resolve day by day conflicts in the society to the satisfaction of all and sundry, not just the powerful. In this sense, the law should act as a figurative function and dampen deviant behavior. A form of social control should be put in place, or emphasized on, to determine how people should behave. In formal social control, the police should monitor the behavior of people in the society and the courts should punish criminal and delinquent acts (Cavadino & Dignan, 2008). Easton & Piper (2008) advice that while measures of punishment should be predetermined for each crime, they should also be based on individual criminals. For example, juvenile and mentally-ill lawbreakers should be accorded a dissimilar kind of treatment, from adult criminals who are of sound mind. Valier (2002) advocates for the application of deterrence using the pleasure-pain standard seen as the surest way to stop criminals, as advanced by classical philosophers. In line with this argument, the sentence that an offender is given should be painful to outweigh the pleasure they derived from committing the crime. According to Kubrin & Weitzer (2003), the informal aspect of social control should be left to the family, community, and society at large to inculcate morals into the young people as they grow up. This will in turn deter any form of delinquent behavior among these youths. According to James, et al (1997), the state should also make use of privately owned prisons to isolate criminals and delinquents from the society. Conclusion It is evident from the foregoing assessment of the London riots that these disturbances were not as a result of a single criminological issue. The shooting of Mark Duggan was only an impetus for some disgruntled people in Britain to riot against the government. Some issues such as poverty, unemployment, and police harassment were somewhat justified. Others such as opportunist rioters looting for no apparent reason were unjustifiable. Either way, rioting is not a solution to any problem, and dialogue should be embraced as a way of ironing out any differences in opinions. After all, global economy is just recovering from the recession witnessed in the past year, and Britain was not an exception. To a great extent, therefore, the regime was correct to use force in repressing the riots, as this brought normalcy back to the streets of London, and Britain as a whole. References Burke, H, 2009, ‘Classical Criminology’ in An Introduction to Criminological Theory, Willan, Devon. Cavadino, M & Dignan, J, 2008, The Penal System, Sage Publications, London. Coleman, C & Norris, C, 2000, Introducing criminology, Willan publishing, Devon. Cote, S, 2002, Criminological Theories: Bridging the Past to the Future, Sage Publications, London. Davies, M, 1974, Prisoners of Society, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London  Deflem, Mathieu, & Chicoine, S, 2010, "A Summary of The Culture of Control by David Garland",  Viewed on 1st February at: www.mathieudeflem.net Doherty, M, 2003, Criminology, Old Bailey press, London.  Downes, D &Rock, P, 2007, Understanding Deviance, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Easton S & Piper, C, 2008, Sentencing and punishment the quest for justice, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Fattah, E, 1997, Criminology: Past, Present and Future, McMillan publishers, Basingstoke.  Grover, C, 2008, Crime and Inequality, Willan Publishing, Devon. Hale, C, 2007, Criminology, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Hopkins-Burke, R, 2009, An Introduction to Criminological Theory, Willan Publishing, Cullompton. Hudson, B, 2003, Understanding Justice: An Introduction to ideas, perspectives and controversies in modern penal theory, Open University Press, Maidenhead. James, A, Bottomley, K, Liebling, A & Clare, E, 1997, Privatizing Prisons: Rhetoric and Reality, Sage Publications, London.  Jones, D, 2008, Understanding Criminal Behaviour, Willan Publishing, Devon.  Jones, S, 2006, Criminology, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Kubrin, C, & Weitzer, R, 2003, ‘New Directions in Social Disorganization Theory’, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, vol. 40, pp. 374. Lilly, R, Cullen, F & Ball, A, 2011, Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences, 5th edn, Sage Publications, London. Valier, C, 2002, Theories of Crime and Punishment, Pearson Education Limited, Harlow. Read More