Changes in the structure of ethnic riots & the dynamics of ethnic riots, especially those taking place during the mid- & late 20th century, are studied. Approximately 150 cases of ethnic riots in various Asian, African, & Central & Eastern European nations were analyzed; in addition, interviews with survivors of & various participants in ethnic riots in six countries were conducted. The causes, effects, & processes connected with ethnic riots are then discussed. Several aspects of ethnic riots are subsequently explored: organizers' use of selective targeting; the characteristics of target groups; the influence of leadership & location on target selection; the characteristics of riot organizers & participants; events that encourage ethnic riots; the creation of social environments that promote ethnic rioting; factors considered in determining the place of ethnic riots; the objectives, outcomes, & functions of rioting; & the transformation of ethnic rioting into lynching & ethnic terrorism. Even though the precipitants of ethnic riots are characterized as either circumspect or hypervigilant, it is concluded that ethnic rioting should ultimately be conceptualized as behavior characterized by passion & calculation. This text contains a Preface & 13 Chpts. 2 Tables. J. W. Parker