The
British riots of 2011: What caused them, and why were so
many
average, well-behaved citizens involved? Could it be that
Western
democracy today can only function in an atmosphere
of
constant abundance?
Al-Hayat
Al-Jadidah, Palestinian Territories
Do the London
Riots Presage America's Economic Collapse?
"Some
have begun to see them as a kind of countdown to the collapse of the U.S.
economy, which will lead to the secession of the wealthiest states in the union
from the federal government. It is a scenario that would turn the states of the
United States into analogues of those in the Horn of Africa."
Riots erupt in Britain, August 8: What caused the spontanious outbreak of violence, even among normally law-abiding citizens? British officials deny the cause is moral decline.
Riots and looting in London
and other British cities led to the deaths of five people and material losses
of about $1.6 billion. British Prime Minister David Cameron asked the former chief
of the New York Police to work as an adviser to British law enforcement
on countering rioters and the crimes of youth delinquents. Perhaps the scenes of looting
and rioting in London and other places bring to mind similar events in New
York, when in 1977 the power went out and rioting, looting, theft and rape
spread across the city. Thousands of rioters were arrested.
With the power cut and
traffic, communications and the influence of the authorities curtailed, people
were inclined to do evil things that the law and a police presence usually prevent.
When people were left to their devices without any deterrence, they looted,
rioted, plundered and generally wreaked havoc. Over there, democracy is just something
superficial to brag about. It isn't rooted in people’s souls. Therefore, with
the type of democracy that prevails in the West, as soon as people sense a severe
shortage, they rise up and trample on their democratic principles. During our
visits to democratic countries, we've seen how during public transportation
strikes there are brawls among people waiting at taxi stands, since all of them
want the cab for themselves. Over there, democracy works well during periods
of abundance, and is quickly undone in times of shortage.
The rioting and looting that
took place in Cairo, for example, was committed by thugs and thieves rather
than ordinary citizens; but among the rioters and looters in London were wealthy
Whites and average people on the street - not only members of Black criminal
gangs. Over recent years, talk about the eclipse of the American empire emerged
as it declined economically because without ample abundance, it fails to live
up to its democratic principles. This kind of democracy thrives in a lake filled
with fresh water, while in a muddy swamp, dictatorship thrives.
Although many say that the
recent riots and looting can't shake Great Britain, some analysts have begun to
see them as a kind of countdown to the collapse of the U.S. economy, which will
lead to the secession of the wealthiest states in the union from the federal government
and the end of the American Century. It is a scenario that would turn the
states of the United States into analogues of those in the Horn of Africa
Poverty breeds repression and
injustice, and financial abundance makes possible democracy and its
development. The deterioration of physical prosperity leads to tyranny and
turmoil, which confirms the old saying, “for every nation there is an appointed
time, and if its time is late, no one waits for the appointed hour, and
progress is lost."
