A Dynamical Simulation of Riots: Social Stress, Upper Bounds and Governmental Intervention

In this paper I present a dynamic model of rioting. It is based on Granovetters model of social thresholds and allows for dynamics in the riot process. I study, via computer simulations, different factors that affect riots and their interplay. First, I introduce social stress that rises over time. Secondly, I consider the possibility of an upper bound of rioters, that lets the whole system collapses. Finally, I introduce governmental intervention that is applied randomly in order to prevent riots. The findings of the paper can be used by both politicians and sociologist for further research. My results show that governmental interventions can stop the emergence of riots, but in order to be successful, they have to be applied often and on a large scale.