Wolfgang, I think you could well be correct about the 'common faith' being important in the rapid and wide spread of the riot, along with modern media and affordable communications. Though I do not see poverty, biological and cultural factors as not independent, these factors are interdependent - the wealth situation effects the biological and the biological effects the environmental. Religions, culture and reproductive behaviour have evolved along with evolving social relations and technology. Teasing these factors apart is essential for analysis but these factors come together to form a whole in the real world. The Paris riots are only a particular form of the reaction to oppression at specific situation. When the kids are back inside watching TV or whatever, the poverty (I mean this in a relative qualiative and quantitative senses), the antagonism of poor and rich - workers and owners - is still there, unresolved.

The point is to change the world not merely interpret it. I don't believe in trying to modify people's behaviour, applying quick fixes - like positive discrimination which inevitably leads to a backlash and grist to the far-right mill and legislating certain cultural practices which similarly is seen as oppressive even by those you might be trying to help - as they can be undone and only prolong the situation. I believe in persuading people to modify their situation, abolish capitalism to take the power now vested in companies, corporations, states and our own hands, to build a humanised society of common ownership, free access to goods and services and direct democratic control of production. Perhaps in a society like that you might feel oppressed when your you are outvoted on something, but I do not see how you could feel powerless or alienated, or be have to live in squalor.   

Rarelamb, On the one hand Piers is attacking the French, eh?