Riots

A riot is a form of collective violence characterized by a large, informal group engaging in disorderly conduct in public spaces, typically involving property damage, vandalism, looting, arson, and clashes with authorities. Riots usually arise as a response to perceived grievances and can emerge rapidly from protests or demonstrations. They differ from organized insurrection or civil conflict and from calm civil demonstrations, though the line can be blurred in practice. Legal definitions of rioting often hinge on unlawful assembly, public disturbance, and the intent to commit or encourage violent acts.

Riots typically follow a combination of proximate triggers and underlying grievances, including economic inequality, unemployment, discrimination, perceived police brutality, political corruption, or social tensions. Acute incidents—such as a controversial decision, an incident of violence, or rumors—can spark a riot when crowd dynamics turn hostile. Access to weapons, alcohol or drugs, and crowd diffusion of responsibility can facilitate escalation.

Crowd behavior in riots is studied in sociology and psychology; concepts include collective effervescence, deindividuation, and contagion. Riots often unfold in phases: an onset with spontaneous protest, a peak with looting and clashes, and a decline influenced by law enforcement, fatigue, or external interruptions. Modern rioting sometimes uses social media to organize or spread information.

Riots cause property damage, economic loss, injuries, and occasional fatalities. They can strain public services and alter political agendas, contributing to reforms or shifts in policing strategies. Recovery often involves investigations, community rebuilding, and policy discussions about grievances and governance.

Well-known cases include the Watts riot of 1965; the 1992 Los Angeles riot following the Rodney King verdict; and the 2011 United Kingdom riots. Academic study emphasizes context, escalation dynamics, and prevention through addressing grievances, community policing, and social programs.