What causes riots?

Many people have voiced their opinion on the possible causes behind the recent riots. This has focused on why people are so easily tickled by a small event and then go wild. People have also been questioning why so many people tend to resort to violence and take the law into their own hands.

Many scholars blame social, economic and political gaps as the main cause for the riots. Other scholars suggest that social, political and religious figures indicate moral decadence is behind the unrest. Yet they are all correct in highlighting the possible causes behind the unrest.

Despite alleged engineering by certain people, the fact is people are easily agitated to react violently to any event. So then what is the most possible cause for the surge in violence?

To be easily provoked to violent behavior and ignore law and order indicates there is something wrong with morality. It seems people are not satisfied because what they receive is far from their expectations.

We cannot blame the people alone for the riots, but we have to find the root of the problem. Detaining those involved in the riots does not solve the problem. Finding a solution to the unrest should go deeper than merely taking stern measures against the rioters. Economic growth alone will not solve the social problems either, without paying attention to the issue of collusion, corruption, monopoly and nepotism. It is the bureaucratic elite who should be responsible for putting an end to all sorts of injustice.

W. PIENANDORO

Bogor, West Java