Introduction – In many countries (one in particular) people are poor, homeless, without health care, without jobs, fearful of criminals, and mad at their governments. Things will happen when things reach this stage and are worsening. We explain why Civil Unrest (riots, demonstrations) are possible and even starting to happen in some places around the civilized world now but a revolution is something most unlikely to occur.

Civil Unrest in the Past – People gathered in an urban area are likely to demonstrate and even riot as the economy declines. Let us set the stage in detail. They are faced with foreclosure or eviction. They have been out of work. Savings are depleted. The Internet and cable TV are already disconnected for non-payment of bills. The phones may be off. The bill collectors are calling and sending letters. The car may be parked in a friend’s house to avoid repossession. There is no health care insurance anymore; it went away when the job was lost.

The wait to be seen at an emergency room or free clinic is many hours and this is the only affordable source of health care. Trips to the supermarket must be planned so as to economize on the amount of expensive gas to be used. Groceries are being bought on sale. The dented can stores are sold out more often. Every month things get worse and worse. Job prospects are so bad the people are not even trying to get work anymore. There is no end to the depression in sight.

Crime rates are soaring. Police are disrespectful and offer little protection. Taser use is widespread by the police. The jails are packed to way above capacity. Then a demonstration starts. Can be spontaneous or planned. It may be hot and humid. Most riots are on the hot summer days, right about now. Things get loud fast. People are drinking beer or hard stuff. The police get scared. They get riot gear on. The crowd grows. The crowd knows that if they let things go out of control the police may just contain them and let them loot and burn the retailers in the area.

Historically this happens. They could then grab some booze, steaks, electrical appliances get stinking drunk and then it is over. Almost no one goes to jail. Rioters are filmed but nothing happens. Sometimes it grows and they attack motorists unfortunate enough to be in the area. Usually the police try to contain the riot into a specific area. It is always going to start in a poor area. Sometimes local merchants arm themselves heavily and defend their property from the roof and from inside with rifles and shotguns shooting looters. Sometimes the police ignore this, other times they may prosecute the merchants.

The scenario can go for a few hours or even a few days. The police will cut off water and electricity in the section at times although this can make things worse. These riots always wind down in the past, as the crowd gets tired, hung over and full of liberated goods from the retailers they looted.

Future Civil Unrest – Today the civil unrest may be different. The police may not be able to contain the crowds. There are so many unemployed and homeless people that the crowd can grow to an alarming size. The police will not be able to stop them. If they start shooting into the crowd with lethal or non-lethal munitions the crowd may rush them and kill the police. A lot of police will be afraid to shoot into the crowd for fear of being charged with murder after it is over. The press and private citizens will be filming the entire event. Cell phone cameras changed the rules of the game. Many police will not have the stomach to murder the rioting people.

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