失序与弹压:2011年英国骚乱之诱因与刑事法制的反应

2011年夏发生的英国骚乱具有深刻的社会政治经济、文化与种族背景,是各种反权威、反社会的合力的总体现。其直接导火索是少数族裔与执法部门之间因种族问题而导致的冲突,其后续发展反映了社会政治经济地位被"相对剥夺"了的下层民众与社会权威机构之间的矛盾。同时,骚乱活动又具有相当程度的盲目性、松散性与自发性。为了修补破碎的英国社会,单纯靠监狱、刑罚、警察与军队的暴力解决不了根本问题,因为刑罚的威慑力应该并且实际上是有限的。以这场骚乱为启示,缓解社会矛盾和维护社会稳定,一方面要解决社会贫富不均与不同利益群体之间的矛盾等深层问题,另一方面需要培养社会公众的、守法的、内在的道德抑制机制,提高法律和执政当局的权威和正当性。

Explaining 2011 England Riots: Conflicts and Causes

On the basis of existing empirical evidence and statistics,this article seeks to interpret the causes of the 2011 England Riots by exploring the macro-level structural factors that contribute to the spreading of the riots.It recognizes the dialectical complexity of political economy and individual motives in promoting criminal conducts in riots.The article also looks at the role of racism in initiating the riots in Tottenham.In conclusion,it emphasizes the importance of addressing the root cause of the riots while exploring all possible avenues of riot prevention.This could only be achieved through social inclusion,penal reform and better regulation.In particular,it is crucial to cultivate internal moral inhibitions of those young and/or disadvantaged in the British society.