England’s Riotous Values
The riots that swept England in early August shocked the country, mainly because there seemed to be no guiding motive or burning injustice. In fact, these riots represent a new sociological phenomenon — one that reflects the profound social, cultural and economic shifts in Britain over the past 30 years.
The August riots were new in that gangs of predominately young unemployed men were able, using new media, to launch a series of semi-organized disturbances for the purpose not of protest, but of criminal gain.
But why? Because in a savage manner, they were acting out the values that increasingly seem to govern and embody Britain: Ruthless self-interest coupled to a rootless consumer nihilism.… Seguir leyendo »