Broken Britain – prophecy or fantasy? Riots and labelling theory

Misselbrook raises some very interesting points in his editorial in the October issue of the JRSM. ¹ I would like to provide another hypothesis. In the 1960s, labelling theory in sociology was used to define and describe deviance and mental illness. Four decades later the theory does not hold up to mental illness but may hold a mirror up to Cameron's Broken Britain. The labelling theory suggested that if labels are applied to individuals, they start to behave like their labels. The creation of the ‘other’ is at the core of self-affirmation and identity. The views of society (especially of those who have the economic and political power) dictate the creation of the ‘other’ or the deviant identity. Is it possible that by harping on the theme of Broken Britain by virtue of his political and social power, a situation is being created where people – especially the young – are feeling alienated? Furthermore, Britain is not a collection of buildings but its people, and if our leader tells us that we are broken, surely we have to listen to and respond accordingly.

Primary deviance or deviant behaviour occurs due to a number of causes, secondary deviance arguably is in response to society's reactions to primary deviance. Having taken on this role (or thrust upon the individual), the people take on the master status which is accompanied by a number of secondary statuses. So why should behaviour of those being labelled as such be any different other than being broken? The final stage in the career deviant is creation of a deviant subculture and subsequent solidification of one's own deviant society. ^2,3

Furthermore, if they do not already feel a part of the society, the confirmation that they are broken leads to further ‘broken’ behaviour. We know that deviancy and deviant behaviour are not homogenous. Going on about Broken Britain confirms a lack of stake in the country for a number of young, impressionable citizens who may then confirm their identity by joining a dystopian gang culture. Very few people will choose to have a stake or shares (in modern parlance) in Broken Britain. Collective action is needed to deal with collective responses.