骚乱即社会不同阶层之间或阶层内部的冲突与对立，包括社会底层为争取自身权益与统治阶层的对抗，或因统治阶层不当行为激发民怨，引发的与统治阶层冲突与对立。长时间的持续对立，可能会使冲突范围扩大化，冲突的升级可能诱发政局动荡与战争，最终导致政权更迭。

暴动通常是随机发生并混乱无秩序的，对象可以是政府官员、工厂老板、政党，导火线通常是不特定的事件，例如：二二八事件的枪击，暴动背后皆有其动机：对整个大环境的不满。当暴动次数越趋频繁，规模渐大，群众渐增。暴动开始时是有预谋的行动时就导致叛乱，但暴动或暴乱亦可以是由有秩序的示威游行演变而成。

Civil disorder, also known as civil unrest or civil strife, is a broad term that is typically used by law enforcement to describe unrest caused by a group of people. Civil disturbance can include a form of protest against major socio-political problems, but also can simply be an expression of antisocial values. It is essentially the breakdown of orderly society, of which examples can include: illegal parades; sit-ins and other forms of obstructions; riots; sabotage; and other forms of crime. Even on occasions where it is typically intended to be a demonstration to the public or the government, such can escalate into general chaos.