Political unrest can be a dangerous and complex phenomenon that arises from deep-seated dissatisfaction with society, government, and other institutions. This can be manifested in strikes, protests and riots, or a combination of both. The causes of these activities can be broad and a mix of issues, but are almost always rooted in severe inequality.
A recent example is the riots in Britain that were sparked by an incendiary fake social media post, and led to a disproportionate number of attacks on minority groups. These events reveal the tinderbox of division in a polarised UK society and the need to address some underlying issues.
Rioting can be defined as ‘sporadic but continued collective physical violence in the context of social or political instability that may result in deaths, injuries and destruction’ (Kalyvas 2000). It is often triggered by the occurrence of other hazards such as natural disasters, conflict or economic shock, and exacerbated by various factors such as unemployment, poverty, lack of access to basic services, poor policing and corruption, and misinformation.
In addition, political parties use xenophobia and hate speech to exploit communities’ fears and divisions in order to gain support and mobilise voters. This dynamic is further fuelled by extreme globalisation and cultural change, leading to disillusionment with democracy among some citizens who feel that the system has failed them and that it is rigged. A range of measures can be taken to prevent or mitigate the spread of political violence. These include: