By way of an introduction...

As Britain burns, commentators left, right and centre have tripped over each other in their rush to condemn the riots and the rioters. Many have learnt a new word, 'feral', and applied it with the kind of vigour and repetitiveness displayed by a dog chasing its tail. Yet few have attempted a sober analysis of the situation, and those that have, have been shouted down and vilified. (See, e.g., Darcus Howe's interview with BBC News, and this Newsnight discussion...