London Riots

Allister Heath has been on fire lately with his analysis of the London riots. Worth reading, Britain’s in crisis: the real causes of chaos on streets and From royal fairytale to banana republic.

I note this morning there is a very real discussion in the UK taking place of cutting off social media, including Blackberry Messenger. You do not get to that point in the UK unless governance policies have completely failed.

One common question I have seen pop up is whether these kinds of riots could happen in the US? I think the answer is - yes it could, but only in certain large cities, and it would look different.

In the UK a group can break into a liquor store and overpower the owner without much fear of injury. In the US there is an extra layer of deterrence because the liquor store owner might be waving his shotgun. In the UK many folks have been moved to a point where they have to hide in their own houses and apartments at night in fear. That is not how I remember the Korean population responding during the LA riots a few years ago.

I don't know how this scenario would play out in my upstate NY neighborhood, but I do know most of the men in my neighborhood, and I would bet there are as many guns in the 100 homes of my little neighborhood subdivision as there are in the local police station. I also think back to the area of Arkansas I grew up, and I believe the rules of engagement down there would be a lot less restrictive towards troublemakers - again reducing the odds of trouble among those who aren't suicidal.