Public disorder has returned to the top of the political agenda, and yet it is consistently met with confusion and misunderstanding. Public discussion is superficial and emotive, contributing little helpful enlightenment and creating no prospect of sensible policy change. This book presents the flashpoints model, to explain that public disorder is most likely to occur where a group perceives that its rights are being violated or denied. The model is demonstrated in a selection of vivid case studies which are both international and historical in scope, covering British and American inner city riots, sports spectator violence, and the Troubles in Northern Ireland. In particular Waddington traces the growth of police powers and assesses how effective democratic control over police behaviour actually is. Other perennial issues are discussed too. Does media coverage have an inflammatory effect, for instance, and should the media be discouraged from reporting ongoing disorders? This book should replace the recurring confusion and misunderstanding by presenting a comprehensive and reasoned analysis of the key contemporary issues surrounding public disorder.