In The Aftermath of Mayhem

As the debate over the English riots turns into a rather clunking blame game the issues at the root of the problem are in danger of being swept away in a tide of retribution. Many view the governmental an judicary response to the disturbances, especially the rather harsh penalties handed down to those convicted of inciting rioting on facebook, as kneejerk and unhelpful. These sentences are overloading an already stretched legal system and criminalising many who were mere opportunists. On the other hand there ae those who argue that if the state insists on being mother and father to the population, on controling and providing for every aspect of the life of the population, then it must also punish as a parent would. Parental punishment must be meted out hand in hand with some form of rehabilitation or reform, without which it is a self defeating exercise. It may also be argued that enough state finance has already been spent on a population set who have displayed consistant anti-social actions, the latest of which erupting into the recent riots. Whatever the future governmental polict, one thing is clear: this is the chance for the coalition government to make a stand against those who consider themselves outside and above civil society, offering them a path of reintegration, reeducation or, indeed, further punishment.  

'Why' is the Hardest Question to Answer for the World Media.

In the aftermath of the English riots, newspapers all over the world are turning to talking heads to give their opinion on why these riots took place, how they started, why they escalated and what can be done remedy the situation, from punishment to reform. The general consensus on the key question for the coalition government seems to be getting at the root of the disaffection rather than reacting to the results of the outburst. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/world/europe/14looters.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/europe/Why-London-was-burning/Article1-733105.aspx

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-08/14/content_13108272.htm

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,779624,00.html