Reading Riots

Author: Tim Newburn
Publisher: Polity Press
ISBN: 9781509571208

Published In: July 2026
Format: Hardback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only
Paperback Edition ISBN: 9781509571215

HKD 731.50

Download Order Form

Add to Wishlist
| Add to Compare

Description
Contents

Details

Riots are exceptional though not unusual social phenomena. Despite occurring irregularly, they are sufficiently common to be matters about which most of us have some knowledge. They have been the subject of considerable to extended scrutiny for more than a century, with psychologists, historians and sociologists at the forefront of scholarly inquiry.

Tim Newburn's international and comparative study offers a close analysis of protest, social movements and the violence connected with them. The book looks at riots across the world, ranging from those in America - from the sixties to the recent post-George Floyd uprisings -, in Europe, the Middle East - during the so-called 'Arab Spring' - and Hong Kong's Umbrella movement. Reading Riots questions why such violence occurs, uncovers what happens during riots and takes an extensive look at the legacy of such disorder.

This comprehensive book will be of great value to those interested in riots and protest, the policing of such disorder and its consequences, as well as social movements and protest violence in recent times.

Tim Newburn has been Professor of Criminology and Social Policy at the London School of Economics since 2002. He was Head of Department of Social Policy from 2010-13 and Director of the Mannheim Centre for Criminology from 2003-2009. Prior to joining LSE he was Joseph Rowntree Professor of Urban Social Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London and Director of the Public Policy Research Unit (1997-2002). He has also worked at the University of Leicester (1982-85), the Home Office Research & Planning Unit (1985-90), the National Institute for Social Work (1990-92) and the Policy Studies Institute (1992-97).

1. Rorschach and Riots

2. Fear of the Mob

3. Not so Primitive Rebels

4. Riots in the Round

5. Tinder and Spark

6. The Quest for Excitement and Beyond

7. The Nature of Violence

8. Blame the Police?

9. Riots, Media and Social Movements

10. Reaching Judgement

11. Protest, Violence and the Penal State

12. Policy Response and Impact