A Democratic Theory of Riots

This dissertation develops a democratic theory of riots. It argues that riots can, under specific normative conditions, be understood as a justified form of political contestation guided by democratic principles and values. While riots are commonly considered as irrational outbursts of violence, this dissertation shows that they can be viewed as genuine democratic actions grounded in demands for equality and freedom. Combining normative political theory and empirical analysis, the dissertation examines how rioting can, in certain circumstances, carry democratic meaning, exercise democratic functions, possess democratic value, and generate a particular form of democratic power. Chapter 1 situates rioting within contemporary political theory and argues for a new approach to the role of destruction and violence in democratic contestation. Chapter 2 advances a theory of rioting as a form of political representation that explains how riots can represent a collective subject putting forward claims to an audience. Chapter 3 analyzes property destruction during riots as a democratic political action and argues that it may be justified under particular conditions. Chapter 4 examines violent confrontation with the police during riots and defends the legitimacy of collective self-defense against the police as resistance to state coercion. Chapter 5 compares five riots to assess their democratic elements, providing a normative framework to evaluate the justification of riots. This dissertation ultimately shows that while riots stand on the line between democratic and undemocratic contestation, they test the boundaries of democratic legitimacy and can at times constitute moments of genuine democratic power.