ABSTRACT
For Harold Garfinkel, degradation ceremonies are universal to all societies, particularly given that the categories of morality, moral indignation and shame are universal properties of all societies. In terms of the community and its value system, the degradation ritual thus works to confirm the wrongdoer engaged in atypical behaviour which stands in sharp contrast to the typical, accepted and established behaviour engaged in by members of the community. This chapter looks some of the more forceful and physical shaming and degradation rituals which featured in the labour disputes of our era, it is important to point out that shaming punishments did not always involve the rough physical treatment of the offender. Punishment sanctions involving degradation and shaming were often to the fore on the occasions, including stang riding. Degradation rituals of various types were much in evidence during the 1815 strike, so it would be helpful to provide some context for what would become a fractious and long-running dispute.
