The funny (well, it's all relative) thing is that in France right now we have a lot of protest against a reform of the educational system and our president got scared our students would get inspired by what's happening in Greece... It's true there have been incidents in Italy and Spain while people were manifesting against what happened there...
alcyone said:This guy has major street smarts and I believe he is right on target with one of the reasons for increased violence.
I think that Sarko still remembers the riots that shook France in 2005 (albeit for different reasons than those in Greece) not least because at the time his populist remarks aimed against the protestors really gave his popularity a boost. Also, an internet poll in Le Monde conducted a week ago suggests that one French in three not only supports the revolt in Greece but would like to see something similar taking place in France. Though it's only an internet poll I think it's still worrying.
Economic hard times equals more robberies and burglaries? Sure, but this looks like civil unrest and as such, I think, cannot be reduced to a mere criminal activity.
Heck that's a lot! Hello fellow French (I assume) INTJ by the way! If it's a poll based on people visiting the Le Monde website though it's probably not representative of the population as you say... But one in three is huge! But I guess striking and such is a national sport
alcyone said:The significant increase that MacYoung talks about is 'Stress Violence'. And civil unrest is a manifestation of such. After all, an overly opressively police force didn't happen overnight.
However, as long as there are jobs to be had, food is afforable, etc....the every day blokes will tolerate the oppression....they may grumble, bitch and moan, but as long as their survival needs are being met, there is no incentive to escalating to a riot or civil unrest state of affairs.
With the turn down, needs aren't being met on wide scale in our societies. When corrupt governments and agencies can't provide and fail to , only then does the mob act on its outrage with the corrupt system. Lashing out at 'authority'. It's likely to get worse until things get better, especially in the richer countries. After all, none of us are accustomed to deprivation.
Wow, this is just great. I need to write it down!! Thanks ^^ for some reason everyone always thinks of the French as being the biggest strikers... To be honest I'm surprised by the statistics! Especially Germany and the UK...Salut Shaz. Sorry but despite references to Le Monde I think I can be best described as a Croatian Ça m'interesse reader.But seriously, I came accross this poll in Le Monde and was slightly surprised. As for striking being a French national sport, it's actually Spain, the UK, Italy, Germany and Belgium that had most working days lost due to industrial action in the EU in 2006.
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Wow, this is just great. I need to write it down!! Thanks ^^ for some reason everyone always thinks of the French as being the biggest strikers... To be honest I'm surprised by the statistics! Especially Germany and the UK...
Do you think the riots over in Greece are just the first wave of a tide of violence that is going to wash over the world as a result of the global economic downturn?