Looting in London

·         What is the difference between looting and rioting?

o   The main difference in looting and rioting is that looting does not involve as much physical violence as rioting. Instead of roaming around looking only for violence, you just smash some windows and steal clothes and other goods.

·         Define the underlined (blue) words and phrases. Also note down other words you find difficult, and find out what they mean.

o   Catalyst of unrest: Something that first sparks unrest in a society.

Consumerism: The theory of it being good to have, and that the consumers interests are the most important thing.

Lack of intervention: Too few people take action to prevent someone or something.

Opportunism: When you take advantage of an opportunity without thinking much of consequences or how you affect others.

Criminologist: One who studies crime and criminals and it’s relation to society.

High-Unemployment: Many people do not have jobs, and often can’t get jobs.

Disregard social norms: When you deliberately break social norms for personal gain.

Social Exclusion: When the minority is “cast out” or “forgot” by the majority in the society.

·         Could this happen in Trondheim? In Oslo? Why/why not?

o   No. Unemployment and crimes in general are much less common in Norway, and it is way too low for something like this to happen. The conditions for being unemployed in Norway are also very good, even though you don’t have a job you can manage fine on the welfare system.

·         What can this say about the social conditions in England? How may this be connected to the traditional class system?

o   This can be closely related to the English class system because most of the people participating probably are in the workers class, (an upper class wouldn’t need to loot) and it can tell us that the workers class is in a struggle, and that there is too few jobs for all the people in the workers class.