Austerity Causes Rioting--A 90-Year History

[Modern School]

Researchers at the Centre for Economic Policy Research examined historical data going back to the 1930s and found that “austerity has tended to go hand in hand with politically motivated violence and social instability,” AllGov.com reported today. The researchers said that “The results show a clear positive correlation between fiscal retrenchment and instability.” (See Austerity and Anarchy: Budget Cuts and Social Unrest in Europe, 1919-2009 by Jacopo Ponticelli and Hans-Joachim Voth, Centre for Economic Policy Research)

They also found that demonstrations, riots, assassinations and general strikes all increased in proportion to the severity of cutbacks in social spending. Rioting, however, dropped slightly after the biggest cutbacks.

Check out the link below for a good graph and links to the original research.

Modern School
http://modeducation.blogspot.com/2011/08/austerity-causes-rioting-90-year_12.html

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. Interesting article. Doesn't surprise me. Those who have nothing left to lose....

have no alternative but to resort to violence.

[applegrove]

2. Duh!!! I mean look at Mexico now with no social mobility upwards. All people can

do to have seemingly middle class stuff and lifestyle is to join a gang and become a criminal. Otherwise you are dirt poor and you'll never have any of the things to dream of. Was the same in venuzuela back 20 years. Kidnappings will to through the roof too. WE KNOW THIS! So who exactly is choosing to make sure the poor have less social mobility than before? Who? The people who are attacking unions by various means.

[golfguru]

3. You ever seen a kid NOT throw a tantrum when his favorite

toy is taken away? It is but a natural reaction! Any time you stop giving anything to anybody, you really think they will jump up with joy?

[Stargazer99]

4. Enough to eat shelter medical care are not toys, you idiot!

[ashleyforachange]

5. Im so glad...

you said it.

[golfguru]

6. Kids worry about medical care? shelter? food?

It was an analogy in case you missed it. What is most precious to a kid? His toys!

What is most precious to a person WITHOUT food, shelter & medical care? DO you get it now? Of course they will riot. It is to be expected and required.

And I will NOT call you an idiot. You are my fellow poster here. Actually I never call anyone derogatory names. My mother taught me not to.

[obxhead]

7. K&R