Every country has a mafia. In Algeria, the mafia has a country! France left the country in ‘62 but made sure to put a government in place that worked for them. Ever since then, the same regime ruled, spoiled, and impovrished the country. The result: a sick society, no infrastruture, no jobs, no freedom...
All this why? would you say... Simple: OIL and GAS. France and other powerful countries get their share for cheap and the mafia regime in Algeria made a few billionaire generals and crooks. They did not care to build hospitals, universities, or factories... it took 57 years to finally see an uprising! From February 2019 to present... still going.
1
A threshold of worldwide economic despair may be happening. The devil is in the details. Like bus fare or the price of onions. It may be serendipity or coincidence but global elites might have ignored the peasants too long. The unwashed masses are not organized into a global uprising but it is happening in many parts of the world. Right as I am retiring! It is unnerving to say the least.
But it might be now or never. If we don't act now there may be nothing left to fight over. The decline of nature via climate change and species extinction cuz of habitat loss could mean all of us need to lower expectations.
You only get one yacht. I get all the onions I need to feed my family.
9
Calling the impetus for protests "pocketbook" issues trivializes people's economic frustrations and denigrates the citizens demonstrating. Who has "pocketbooks" these days? Not one person in the photos that accompany the article, certainly, and not young people in general. The headline writer used "wallet" which skews masculine and thus seems more neutral, but again makes demonstrating seem like the action of an aggregation of individuals, rather than a manifestation of people realizing their power as a group -- dare I say class?
8
As the world population continues to rise, this is the struggle between have and have not.
5
Best piece in the paper today. A friend once said, matter of factly, that species increase until they exhaust their resources. We have as a planet been relying on democracy, science, technology to stave off impending disasters. But now we have a musical chairs mentality with growing inequality, gated communities, and disaffection with democracy. It stuns me, an agnostic, to see such a biblical scope of woe.
15
in a sense there is nothing new about this. three weeks before Arab Spring was kicked off by harassment of a street peddler in Tunisia, instability has been predicted by the New England Complex Systems Institute at MIT. They said that food prices were spiking, and any time they went above a certain level (given as a multiple of the world food index tracked by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization) instability was guaranteed. They did not model rents at the time, but quick rises led to riots in Israel soon after. People have to eat and need a place to live. If prices for these necessities rise fast, they have little recourse except to take to the street. Politicians can and do take advantage of these issues ... where voting and meaningful political discourse is allowed. sometimes they act instinctively. Sometimes they track the numbers and get ahead of the issues. We reporters should do the same and not merely react with wide-eyed surprise.
3
Those in power have realized that if they sow enough division, they can remain in power. Destabilize other countries, force emmigration, then demonize the people who come to their countries seeking a better life. Other commenters are right when they point out the US as an example. If we are the best democracy has to offer, then democracy is in trouble.
7
As climate change, AI, and globalization increase, and denies much of the population of developing countries the opportunity to earn a decent living wage, anger, unrest and discontent will be on the increase. The way of life for vast amount of us is changing rapidly and inexorably, and a sense of hopelessness is settling in. I believe that government, and true governance, can stem the tide of pessimism. By this I mean, showing their citizens that they are listening to them, not with violent response to their protests, but with workable, albeit challenging solutions to the issues at hand.
8
Max Fisher wrote previously about the rioters in Hong Kong, their problem is indeed about "Identity Crisis". The situation in the former colonial city is entirely different from more recent unrest around the world. Thus I find a rare occasion to agree with Ignatieff, who supported Iraq invasion, do not lump these recent events together.
The common thread and truism is that all are driven by a deep sense of "discontent", "frustration" & "gloom & negativity", but each case has different causes & issues. While such sentiment is common during the young rebellious years, if they do not outgrow it then there are serious problems.
The focus should shift to how political leaders prepare themselves to open the relief valve. Chinese leaders are always vigilant because of their background in the last 70 years, but what about USA, UK, Europe & even Canada? Most politicians are much less prepared than they should be. In Canada, the term WEXIT just appeared after Trudeau won a minority government. They better contemplate the improbable.
My comment relates to the following sentence in the article: "Few were as surprised as the leaders of those countries."
Now, I would like to quote from EMPATHY CONVERSATIONS
A PILOT STUDY: Testing their effectiveness as a policy-making instrument by Dr. Lynne Reeder, Director of Australia21:
"Why is it beneficial to demonstrate that empathy conversations could provide another resource for policy makers? We posit that they are worthwhile considering because using empathy conversations as a considered policy tool will deliver direct access to a range of diverse lived experiences to those in policy making positions; and that in turn provides enhanced information on which to base fully considered decisions. It is not surprising that our limited worldviews, based on our particular life experiences, inform our expectations and assumptions. If those in policy positions have not been a member of a discriminated or minority group, and mostly they are not, then what personal relationships have shaped their life processes? Consequently empathy conversations may provide one way of cultivating the awareness and understanding of the lived-experiences of individuals in financial difficulty, by those developing welfare policy who have not directly experienced poverty or austerity themselves."
Australia21 is “a not for profit public think tank specializing in promoting new evidence-based thinking about the big issues confronting Australia in a rapidly changing global environment.”
1
Characterizing the movement in Chile as violent is unfair. First, the main conflict is between the people of Chile and their government- the president of which declared he’s at war with his citizens. There are a few people engaging in destructive behavior. However, destruction of property should not be equated with actual violence as seen by the carabineros (police) and military against unarmed citizens. There should be more focus on the goals of the movement- higher pension, higher wages, less income inequality and corruption- than the acts of a few. The echoes of the dictatorship are resonating with the Chilean people and are very important to understand their methods, motivations, outrage st the military reaction, and the neoliberal structure of the country that they are rebelling against. Additionally, many of the deaths were caused by excessive force on the part of the government using tactics implemented during the dictatorship.
5
One of the geopolitical reasons for this growing anger and violence around the world is the void created by Trump's America in providing leadership and stop being the beacon of democracy and hope for people around the globe. Trump Presidency also encouraged corrupt and brutal dictators besides criminal minded corporations/businessmen around the world, who mostly collude with corrupt political leadership and such dictators by his (destruction of) "America First" policy. Western Europe failed miserably to fill the gap vacated by the US.
Now not such poor people but millionaires & billionaires from countries like China, Russia, Saudi, Iran, Pakistan etc are more desperate to leave those countries. And less fortunate people are getting ready for a very uncertain future, many times despite of enjoying financial prosperity under such regimes.
2
So people get ready
For the train a-comin'
You don't need no ticket
You just get on board.
(Curtis Mayfield)
4
The revolution will not be televised. It’s hard to report on the peasants from inside the castle...
6
I only ever went to one demonstration in NYC, and when I approached the mob I was surrounded by screaming people holding signs. Do you as you please, mob...but leave me out of it. I will be gone soon, and the rest of you can scream and yell while the others hide behind their wealth and corruption and maintaining the status quo. Humans have added exactly nothing to planet Earth, its skies, its oceans, its wildlife, its fauna and flora - they've only taken, polluted, disrupted, crushed, murdered, raped, cheated and waged war.
4
I live in Chile and am experiencing this in real time. The reason for protests in Chile? A social pressure cooker which has finally exploded because..representatives in the Chilean Congress make 9,000,000 clp, which is around $12,000 a month when the average worker makes around $350,000 a month. Salaries for the middle class here are extremely low, but prices for cars and housing are akin to prices in the U.S. When the government asks the general populace to pay for price hikes for electricity, subway fares, brand new highways which charge cars via a car tag each time they are used, they are asking families who are already overwhelmed financially to absorb these price hikes-families whose salaries are not increasing. Public education is not good, it is the more expensive private schools where the elite attend which the origen of most kids who head off to the two emplematic universities here in Santiago--Universidad de Chile and Universidad Catolica, thus perpetuating class divisions. Our retirement program, the AFP, which was designed during the Pinochet years, is producing miserable retirement funds for our adultos mayores, the eldery. This is based on market philosophy where monies taken from salaries are invested, which sounds good on paper, but it isn´t working. I saw one sign a young person was holding during a protest which said, "We don´t fear death--We fear retirement in Chile!" Many thousand are in the streets protesting peacefully, banging pots and pans!
12
@Giselle Grace Tucker YES YES YES! Why the NYT chooses to water-down reporting on these legitimate movements and protests around the world is deeply concerning. Perhaps the US elite and their for-profit media don't want to acknowledge how something is about to boil over in the US... and not because of Trump, but because of years of inequality growing.
3
Protests in Chile are not new. They come periodically, when the poor people feel upset for the low level of living. Chile is a country with high social inequality.
4
@Trassens Yes, that is true but past protests were typically centered in Santiago. However, THESE protests are all across the country, in all medium to large cities. Therefore, they should not be dismissed. Many Chileans I know have told me they have never seen anything like this, i.e. the violence and looting of multiple stores--not even during the military coup when Pinochet took power. This social eruption is different this time.
2
bob marley said "a hungry mob is an angry mob". and while that will always be true, what we are witnessing today is a modern version where leaders around the world are telling us how much they care for the people while selling out to the establishment forces of globalism. meanwhile the media is telling the people how great these leaders are.
the internet and their own eyes tell a different story.
6
Surprising that you are not mentioning the black nation of Haiti, physically closer to the US than any other country written about in your piece!!!
The people are rising (going back to July 2018 but on a daily basis since Sept 15, 2019) against poverty, blatant inequalities, apartheid-like as well as inhuman living conditions, but above all against corruption, impunity and the stark incompetence of its leaders. We are not looking for recognition, but the unfathomable courage and resilience of the Haitian people ought to be recognized.
8
The greater the population, the greater the compromise required, the greater the suffering for all.
I’m surprised this article failed to mention the XR demonstrations that took place all over the world to bring attention to the Climate Crisis. And the Friday Strikes for Climate led by Greta Thunberg.
The Climate Crisis is the biggest existential threat to the human race we have ever faced. Unbridled corporate and personal greed are primarily responsible for the destruction of our only home.
When the consequences of the Climate Crisis begins to dramatically effect the most vulnerable of our societies I believe these protests will become more unified across the Globe.
The question is: to what lengths will multi-national corporations,and the governments owned by them, go to quell mass demands for clean water, food supply, equality, economic justice, etc?
Beautiful lyrics from Tracy Chapman’s song REVOLUTION:
Don't you know
Talkin' 'bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper
Poor people gonna rise up
And get their share
Poor people gonna rise up
And take what's theirs
The time has come. Our only hope of survival is a coordinated mass revolution across all countries.
8
The human population of the earth has exceeded the capacity of the planet to sustain it. The ripples from this, whether people are conscious of it or not, disturbs more than just the ecological equilibrium.
We all deeply sense that something is seriously wrong. The world-wide political and economic reactions to this mainly serve to make matters worse for everyone.
8
Surely if distribution of wealth was more equitable within national societies and the obscene amounts spent by global political elites on military and security budgets were cut, there would be more than enough to sustain everybody on the planet in peace and comfort. Inequality breeds violence and conflict and created a false narrative that conflicts can’t be resolved. Seriously, if you applied half the US military budget to pure bribery for good behaviour - over $335 billion - might you achieve greater peace, global security and less bloodshed?
4
I think an article like this does a disservice when it groups all of these protest together as if it’s all about one thing. Having left my country many many years ago for political reasons, every time I returned at least I saw progress. Was it perfect, no. But who else is building subway stations to meet the needs of the growing population. Who else has accepted half a million displaced Venezuelans and Haitians? Who else is at least having conversations about free university education? How many countries have at least seen a rise in the middle class. What other countries have added millions of acres of national parks to protect one of the most pristine areas of the world? What other country had a left leaning women president followed by a moderate right wing male President then followed by that same women president followed but the same right wing male president? All democratically elected. What country cares enough to enforce laws to ensure that buildings don’t fall when the strongest earthquakes hit their country? Chilenos, our society is not perfect but do not let go of what is working. So NYT, I ask, what is really driving the protest? Obviously there is a complex story here. I write this rosy side of the story because I want to provoke dialog and be the devil’s advocate. This article lumps Chile in the category of protesting countries but readers you need to know that there is so much more to this story and it is emotional, interesting, and contradictory.
1
@DJ If thing were so rosy, would people have erupted into the streets? The answer is moot. I think what is happening can best be described as rot. When the majority live for years and years in bad conditions and the state and elites neglect living standards and stifle expression, a rot sets in. Then people become nihilist. Eventually this leads to violence. If democracy worked, this would not happen. But elections are not free, quite the contrary, they are extremely expensive and depend on cash -- from the elite. The news is also not free, newspapers, magazines and television belong to big business (the Times a rare exception). So there is democracy more in name than fact. It's not a failure of democracy, it is instead a failure to have more and better democracy. Technology has made it possible for people to accumulate enormous fortunes quickly. The allure of this for elites has proved irresistible. Because this concentration of wealth comes with a concentration of power and a huge existential distance from ordinary people, everywhere the masses of people are being disenfranchised, slowly in some countries, quickly in others. The mass protests are the result. And the idea is that they should lead to reforms. Or there will be more and worse protests. How much "in your face" do elites require before they do their duty and lead responsibly. That remains to be seen. Because it is the same technology that makes the elites so rich that can make people knowledgeable and connected.
2
The 2018 election was an indication that the populist agenda promoted by Trump as it's face and the Republican Party was failing and rejected hence the House gaining more than expected seats. After living through years of turmoil, obstruction, deregulation, broken treaties, lies, alienating allies, corruption, ever shrinking middle-class, personal debt and obvious Russian influence I would hope populism was dead in the US. No good has come out of the propaganda that people like Bannon promote.
3
U.S. foreign policy is an imperial venture geared toward maximizing the profits of multinational corporations and banks on the one hand and the suffering of masses of people around the world on the other. U.S. elites in Washington and the corporate media would have us believe that the opposite is true. According to their self-serving worldview, U.S. foreign policy facilitates democracy and human rights against the “authoritarian regimes” in China and Russia. This lie is perhaps the biggest of a plethora of tall tales that the elites have concocted since Washington became the world’s imperial superpower at the close of World War II. In recent weeks, Lebron James, China, and Russia have found themselves on the receiving end of a vicious campaign to legitimize Washington’s regime of endless war
15
This is how you lose the class war. Unchecked, capitalism will destroy our society and, it seems more and more certain, life as we know it on this planet. It’s inherently corrupt.
20
Too bad that it doesn’t seem to have caught on sufficiently in the US. “Exceptionalism” at work, I’d wager.
1
The main problem with any government, ruled by democracy capitalism, communism, socialism etc is corruption. Once leaders allow themselves to be bought, we all lose.
13
Two cents! Two cents!
Why it’s the most popular proposal in the country.
2
When the entire world starts to look more like Haiti than it does like Sweden (in terms of socioeconomic structure, not race), don't be surprised when desperate people begin to riot.
In their hearts, I suspect many wealthy, reactionary elites around the world wish to be able to live like their counterparts do in Haiti--with impunity, without any accountability, without paying any taxes, living large in their palatial mansions while the overwhelming majority outside the gated communities lives in degradation and squalor.
Governments need to rein in the sociopathic impulses of the ultra-wealthy minority. Frankly, I think the utter and complete discrediting of the United States as a model for any country to follow is a step in the right direction.
9
This is the future of the USA, and it’s coming much sooner than our elites are able to comprehend.
The elites will respond predictably, with an authoritarian crackdown.
The author of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury, said he was often asked about the future, and his response was that all he wanted to do was prevent the future.
Thank you, Mr. Bradbury, for trying to warn us, but as you noted, hardly anyone in America read books anyway.
The next 5 years in America will be excruciating, and if we don’t get serious about climate change by the mid 2020’s, we’ll know to just focus on savoring the time that we have left.
What a tragedy that this is where we’re at.
The elites betrayed not just their fellow countrymen, but the entire planet.
14
Lots of details missing, but two words especially: CLASS STRUGGLE. That is what these protests are. The people of these nations are demonstrating against the ruling class. Capitalism has drenched their governments and squeezed out any space for democracy besides the streets.
14
Why? Because of massive income/wealth inequality, perpetuated by government officials who are bought and paid for and only looking out for themselves. Just like here.
20
This is what happens when regulations are abolished or ignored that enabled income distribution to get so completely out of whack. Globalization without rules has been detrimental to the global economy as wealth was/ is usurped by a few people. The impact of the 2008 US Great Recession by vulture capitalists still reverberates among working families in the US, Western Europe and now across continents. Offshore centers and income tax avoidance by the grifters has caused the basic hardship people are protesting in the streets.
In NYC, a penthouse is listed for $98 million. 1) who can pay that kind of money for an apartment, and is it worthy? Or, is it really about money washing and greedy NYC real estate destroying the city without care 2) think what it does for property tax for regular working families.
14
We are all connected across the globe. The people of the US are next to abhor the corruption and economic inequality here that have destroyed our democracy and middle class.
6
The article points its finger at corrupt political elite. Seems it shys away from the more fundamental institutional problem that these elites represent and work for, capitalism. A planetary system of inequality needing fundamental structural change.
206
@Jerry Harris
Exactly.
That is why Warren/Sanders by taxing the wealthy and corporations and handing out free stuff is insufficient. What they're proposing is a redistribution of wealth, not structural change to capitalism.
10
@Mimi One can’t change everything all at once. That’s part of the criticism of Sanders and Warren from the other side, too much disruption, ‘radical’ ideas, etc.
Sanders wants to change things via ‘revolution’, but one of an orderly and somewhat gradual nature (as compared to radical revolution). This of course is still portrayed as too much, too fast by the sclerotic, self-serving establishment.
Warren seems more interested in making changes to the current system. There are nuances and it might be a matter of semantics between the two, although it would seem Warren still believes - or professes to believe - that making changes to straight up capitalism can yield an equitable society.
At this point, either would to my mind be a step in the right direction, with the thought that Sanders is probably being more holistic and honest in his approach.
1
@Jerry Harris No, it is corrupt governments that are one root cause. Governments cannot spend within their limits, cannot work efficiently or effectively, and are never held accountable. I'm not talking about Trump impeachment, I'm talking about the enrichment of DC as a whole. Capitalism is not the evil 'institutional' problem. Government regulates capitalism; or doesn't. All roads point to capitalism, in the hands of human greed.
You can thank Bernanke for this.
Inequality has been increasing since the 1980, but it was turbo-charged by Bernanke, in name of economic recovery when he handed/ printed trillions that directly went to the owners of stock/ real estate, and so disproportionately benefited the 0.01 to 1%.
Any wealth generated since 2009 should have an asterisk, hence the discontent and the rise of Sanders/ Warren.
We need Sanders/ Warren to swing the pendulum back to the middle.
161
@MS
You may be correct but the elite, that my mother always told be didn't exist here, own the media that most of the population watch. If you don't show it it didn't happen, which answers that age old "if a tree falls in the woods" question. And until working people see and understand how the system as it is organized today disenfranchises them through: voter suppression, poor education, medical availability, and a decent wage to name some, they will continue to believe the what they see on the screen.
40
Wasn’t Bernanke appointee by Obama?
2
@MS
That's nonsense.
Bernanke wasn't chairman until 2006 after Greenspan hand in hand with George W. Bush and the Republican Congress had already set us up for the crash of 2007-2008.
Between Bernanke, Geitner, and Summers, the nation and the world did not go into a depression and the entire banking system crater.
Warren/Sanders will do nothing but redistribute wealth by changing tax laws. That does nothing to change the fundamental inequity in the world.
5
Is it not ironic that just before Chile broke out in massive riots, the President gave a rosy assessment of the country in an interview. The ruling, corrupt Capitalist class so endemic in every Capitalist society, is always full of self gratuatory delusions. The West --after overthrowing the Eastern block deluded itself in thinking that they had the solution to the problems of society. In fact the existence of the Eastern block had the effect of bringing competitive ideas to the world. Capitalist systems --- terrified of the sweep of Socialist ideas gaining, adopted some reforms to Capitalism which had the effect of humanizing the brutality of the Capitalist system. However, after the triumphalism of the post Soviet era in the West, the lipstick was removed and the real pig has emerged all over the world. Capitalism brings chaos, unemployment, poverty and a lack of human dignity. These problems are inherent in all Capitalist systems. Only an introduction of a mixture of Socialism into society can resolve these issues.
12
@robert - not just capitalism - unregulated, predatory capitalism.
4
Hey NYT, this is second or third article about this. What is the actual proposed increase in subway fare in Santiago Chile ? What is the actual tax on WhataApp calls ? You cite the bikini gift which is not a tax but you neglect to give context on the supposed core issue or at a minimum the trigger that is causing riotous protest.
10
Americans will muddle through this crisis.
The thugs who chose to intrude upon congressional deliberations are simply vandals of cultured and rational Enlightenment values.
Let it pan out.
Cough.
Your president retained a lawyer who argued that He can literally be above the law.
The President of the United States of America is arguing that by virtue of His office He cannot be prosecuted for criminal acts proven or even scrutinised at court.
1776 dealt with despots and nepotism
I am confident that minds bigger than mine will deal with Mr Trump according to the Constitution.
The Fathers of the Constitution wrote with warm hands in ink.
Protection of Americans was no fantasy.
The cold hand of black letter law will prevail.
Defend the US Constitution or Mr Trump.
The oath reflected holding the bible men American and Australian share.
"under God must be truthful and loyal to country"
1
When people feel powerless and unheard they will respond. These are basic human needs. I remember Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard saying that being heard was like oxygen. If you deprive someone of food they are disgruntled and hungry. If you deprive some one of oxygen - they respond immediately. They will do anything to get oxygen.
5
social media allows for easier organization of mass demonstrations, as well as airing of grievances it is true power in the hands of the people.
yet it also allows elite to have less interaction with masses, allowing them to live far away from where their countrymen live and work. this has led to accepted lack of empathy, and permission to ignore the needs of the people. owners used to go to church with workers, to at least see parts of their lives. Now . they can manage business and finance on a global scale without ever meeting an employee or customer.
This is another chapter in the "Let them eat bread" series. it always ends with pitchforks and guillotines.
7
Americans should follow the cue from the citizens of these countries and take to the streets to support the Constitutional process currently underway to remove our incompetent and corrupt leader from office.
10
Anyone who feels that the USA is comparable to these countries becasue they don't like our President (as other commentators have suggested) needs to do some research.
4
I wonder if global warming
plays a role in any of these protests. In other words, as temperatures rise societal order breaks down. There have been studies showing the connection between higher temperatures and increased violence.
5
Completely omitted from this article is one of the primary causes of these protests -- the pressures created by excessive human populations. There are about 7.8 billion people on the planet - one lifetime(70 years) ago there were 2.5 billion -- the demands for food, housing, jobs, health care etc. and the flood of waste products from such numbers is destroying the biosphere.
21
@Si Campbell Calling human populations "excessive" is a disturbing choice. We can instead point the finger at unsustainable and insufficient infrastructure.
2
@Si Campbell But we cannot mention this problem here because the excess population was not created by the 1%, it was created by the 99%.
5
@Jess Jess, the earth only has so much by way of resources. Infrastructure is not going to increase these resources. The air that we have is the air we have. You should not argue away from the reality and the observation that there are currently too many people on this planet.
If they were willing to live like Gandhi and wear only a loincloth and eat a small amount of vegetarian food, we could manage. But while the population has been rising, so has the standard of living.
We are all writing blank checks on the account of mother earth and sooner or later she is going to get fed up - perhaps she already IS fed up.
6
It’s going to get worse before it gets better. The rich only get richer and keep the poor powerless unless we rise up and take command. Go!
4
Is it about power or is it about wealth ? For instance, Chinese citizenry could care less about having and exercising power provided their economic status continues to rise. Is a society happy to not have such wealth if they have more say in all policy matters and less corruption and more egalitarian opportunities but less upside to be a millionaire ?
3
More a failure of systems consisting of predatory capitalism which in turn has undermined democracy. Like what has happened in the U.S. but here we can afford the propaganda to lay blame elsewhere.
2
Please do not clump Spain (a democratic European country) in the same category as Sudan, Algeria or Iraq. Yes there have been violent protests, but it is related to political disagreements. Catalonia is one of the wealthiest regions in Spain and in fact many of the elite are behind the protests (while the poor stay at home), a sharply different situation from the rest mentioned in the article.
10
As others have stated, the concentration of all wealth and resources into the hands of a few is the key, reigning cause of this chaos.
America is not far behind.
12
And not a mention of protests and protest movements in the United States?! It’s happening here as well. People are fed up with corruption, injustice, inequality, and they are taking to the streets. Puerto Rico recently forced its governor to step down. Teachers and auto workers striking. Black Lives matter. First Peoples and environmental groups protesting. Moms Against Gun Violence. Indivisible. These are but a few that come to mind.
8
Lest we forget: one of the defining moments of Gandhi’s struggle for Indian independence was the march he led against a tax on salt.
10
Well guess what happens when the 1 percent control over 95 percent of the world’s resources?
11
Spread of social media, cellphones, internet and Tv in population all over the world has caused public to aspire for unachievable high standard of living. It also facilitated congregation of discontented in mass numbers in geographic spread areas in shortest time. Indian government restrictions on cellphones , landlines and internet in Kashmir have been successfully temporarirly to put a lid on mass mobilization of malcontents. Government all over the world are looking at this experiment with interest
5
It is true that mediums such as internet, social media and celtels apps have bypassed the nations where tv is sometimes controlled by the state. The amount of Western awareness among the young and aspiring masses of Africa and Asia has skyrocketed.
3
Once again the US has an opportunity to be a beacon of light and freedom to the world. We know that when the middle class can’t afford the basics, they revolt. What choice do they have?
And we are in the precipice. Will we collapse into a another failed democracy, destroyed by our unregulated capitalism and authoritarian leaders? I know of at least one democratic candidate who’s not going to let that happen if we choose them.
8
@Lleone - "Will we collapse into a another failed (species), destroyed by…" our own hubris, myopia and self-absorption? By our own wasteful over-consumption of the limited resources of Our Only Home? Tick, tick, tick… Time is short.
1
@Lleone And what are we supposed to do about corrupt leaders in other parts of the world? Should we invade Lebanon, for example, because their leader paid $16 million to a "model"?
I spoke to someone originally from Peru yesterday who told me about the protests going on in South America--like dominos, he said. And the fact they received virtually no coverage here.
He told me that in Chile, subway fares have increased 250% in 5 years, they just increased it by another 50 cents, and that people couldn't take it anymore.
A cabdriver in NYC told me yesterday there would be no more yellow cabs in a couple of years because the city was using them as a source of revenue and the drivers couldn't take it.
The $2.60 charged on each ride, he said, goes to the TLC. He said he was getting tickets for things like dropping off passengers in bike lanes--when there was no other place to drop them.
He said he used to dispute unfair tickets and they were resolved in his favor half the time. Today, he said, they were never resolved in his favor. He said the deal is, pay $500 to avoid a point on his license.
This driver was from Egypt and he liked Obama and Trump, hated Bloomberg and de Blasio.
Taxes on onions and hookas, increased subway fares. These small daily things used to generate income by incompetent governments. And to remind people that they are powerless over and over.
Look for more protests.
9
@Talbot "The $2.60 charged on each ride, he said, goes to the TLC."
This is correct. The $2.60 tax or the $3.30 tax, while it hurts drivers by decreasing rides, does not go to them. The money goes to the city.
So the city is exploiting the cab and Uber drivers even while we have a "progressive" mayor.
2
A progressive mayor needs tax revenues to spend progressively. Presumably it is the passenger, not the driver who is paying that tax. Just like sales tax is collected by the store, but actually paid by the shopper. So, the Egyptian man is naive. And as we have read elsewhere, the naïveté of many South Asian cabbies led them to making ill considered loans for medallions.
"Dany Yacoub, 22, said on Monday, the fourth day she had spent protesting in central Beirut. She studied to be a music teacher, but said she cannot find a job because it takes political connections to get hired in a school. “We don’t believe them anymore,” she said."
A 22 year old, obviously a recent university (??) graduate cannot get a job teaching music in a school. I would gather that she has no experience, seeks a job in a city and that in Lebanon, like in many other countries and their school systems, there are very few slots for music teachers in elementary and high school education. That she claims to need "political connections", which in parts of the Middle East means family connections, to get a job, that, alas is how it has always been in parts of the Middle East.
Be all that as it may, she is a very bad example for what is going on. How many US humanities grads ended up not finding jobs in their fields?
There is one factor not mentioned by Mr. Walsh and Mr. Fisher: violence. Violence by demonstrators and violence in the reaction of the authorities. 15 people are dead in Chile. That is hardly an Occupy Wall Street moment.
There are countries in which change is brought about by violence, action and reaction and this has a great effect on the nature of demonstrations, why one demonstrates and what they accomplish.
5
No mention of the global protest our youths in developed countries have been putting together with more frequency in recent years. While not a pocket issue, the same dissatisfaction of young voters towards the ruling old class drives them. No mention of the old versus new political generations dichotomy from the scientists either. It seems like the times are changing and rightly so. It is very refreshing to see the youth active, people fighting for their rights and against corruption. It is part of being a citizen, I for once, would not focus on the rate of success so narrowly defined and measured. The ballot is not the only tool of, we the people.
2
Corporations have joined with right wing groups including the GOP to strip workers and the middle class of their rights and economic stability. Many feel that they have little to loose. Streets and schools crumble while billionaires luxuriate in cloud cities unburdened by taxes, laws or care. People are angry, frustrated and afraid while governments seem impervious to their complaints.
18
The fact that mass protests go unheeded is evidence that we increasingly are living in systems where there’s little political incentive for people’s voices to be heard. Turns out the incentives of unchecked capitalism are far stronger than political incentives. As societies became linked globally we needed a global political system where citizens had influence. Instead we’ve handed power over to increasingly huge and powerful international corporations.
25
I doubt if riots because of subway fare increases are a reflection of possible wealth inequality. It may just be that many people have been able to get away with any and every abuse, contempt and verbal violence on Twitter and other social media, and have now started to believe that they can do so in reality. Being 'professional victims" has also contributed. However, justifying destruction, violence and the looting of stores owned by struggling shop owners on some theoretical victimhood basis will just encourage them. Hong Kong may be different but I have grave suspicions as to who is behind the violent elements of those demonstrations.
6
@Gary
Tell that to the citizens of Chile whose water has been privatized.
2
I thought Chile, the site of one of the more obstreperous popular demonstrations, was one of the "countries where elections are decisive, like the United States and Britain". So, this is not an explanation. I suggest that the increasing concentration of wealth and corresponding deprivation of the masses of people, that has been going on for at least 2 or 3 decades, has reached a point where in many countries it is no longer tolerable. This is happening here, too, as young people can no longer expect to do better than, or even as well as, their parents.
28
The Chilean society is extremely elitist, class driven. It is not easy to see on the surface because everyone looks quite similar while actually they’re not. The economy has been very liberalized for capital and personal profits with low tax rates for many decades ahead of its Latin brethren. The result was a stronger economy and far fewer economic shocks than even the US and Canada. However, despite that, a specter of Pinochet lurks. Where the division of society stills hews to one side or the other in heritage while not in pure principle or execution of politics.
4
Concentration of power and wealth is the natural endpoint of a free market. A few clever, hardworking, lucky players get ahead, and success begets success until they have captured control of key resources that other people need to live.
When it gets to that stage, there's nothing to do but accept your lot as a virtual serf, or revolt.
The details vary but the big picture is distressingly similar.
45
@mlbex Free markets need to be regulated. This is where we've gone wrong here since Reagan was elected. Between World War 2 and his election, we had regulated capitalism, which led to a large and relatively happy middle class. Despite his populist 2016 election campaign, Trump has continued the deregulation parade, with harsh results for the 99%.
11
@mlbex "A few clever, hardworking, lucky players get ahead" does not explain why these few avoid paying their taxes and workers a fair wage.
4
That'd fall under the "clever" category. (not that I agree with it in terms of morality)
1
There has been profound change in the equation between the elite who govern and the people who are governed. Public especially in democratic countries expect that the government to solve all their issues from onions to hookas and give them assured standard of living. Special interests are also exercising undue influence to get bigger share of the public pie. Government cannot be everything to everybody. The governing elite are becoming more and more corrupt and dynastic.Enormous inequality exists between the elite and the public.
14
I have lived in Panamá City for ten years. Panamá is genuinely shocked by the protests in Chile. In 2018 Panamá had the highest GDP (PPP) per capita in Latin America, but Chile was a close second. Panamá inaugurated a new president in July who seems to understand that wealth inequality cannot go on forever without explosions such as are ocurring in Chile and many countries around the world.
As someone who feels a dual allegiance to the US and Panamá, I can only hope President Cortizo can implement policies to reduce wealth inequality.
10
Panama is certainly a nation with fewer endemic problems than its Latin brethren. Panama is totally unlike Chile except the fact that both and most Latin nations have a fabulously rich elite. Happy they are both thriving however without the easy money of its lax banking ( a la Swiss and Cayman Is ) and its toll booth ( Canal ) , Panama’s average GDP percapita would be considerably lower. Both nations have generally lower tax regimes than other more social leaning Latin American nations.
3
@Suburban Cowboy Panamá virtually eliminated its lax banking laws after the scandal of the Panamá Papers.
I am an English tutor for Meeck, Sanofi, The Johns Hopkins hospital of Panamá, Diageo
and Estée Lauder. None of them have anything to do with the Panamá canals.
Good. And where are the millions of people who should be out in the streets right here in the USA to demonstrate against the most corrupt president and his regime in the history of this country? Trump is a criminal so why are the citizen of this country not demanding his resignation and ultimate prosecution?
31
Are you kidding? Here in America we’ve learned our lesson well: protests will fall on deaf ears. And why? Because the system is gamed. Thanks to partisan gerrymandering and the electoral college, the GOP controls most of the government despite having consistently lost the national popular vote for decades. There is no incentive for GOP politicians to pay attention to protests when they know they’ve created a system where the popular vote doesn’t count.
3
@TheOutsider
How many people were demonstrating during the 'Occupy' movement?
Protesting the trillions that went to the financial industry, this movement was crushed in a coordinated manner as if it were a threat to this nation's existence.
While Trump is clearly guilty of serious violations of law, a good number of his supporters believe that the existing power structure in DC is even worse. For them, the more damage done by Trump, the better. A good number of his supporters would be happy to 'burn it all down', having lost any faith that change is possible. Ironically many of these people put all the blame on 'the left' failing to see the far deeper damage done by the Republicans. From Nixon through Reagan and the Bushes, we have seen crony capitalism run amok supported by an increasingly totalitarian government
3
Sooner than later popular unrest over income inequality world wide will become the norm. The US will elect people who will legislate change rather than rioting. The poorer nations without the standard of government we enjoy will suffer the riots and general upheaval that are part and parcel in trying to correct the inequities felt by the natives. .
4
US has not had a “standard of government “ for 3 years.
This has nothing really to do with 'the elites', as so many Times readers are opining. It is the free market, nothing more.
If subway fares go up, it is because an increase is needed to maintain or improve operations. What better way to 'pay as you go' than a user fee imposed directly on the consumers involved? Same with the price of onions here, the cost of coffee there.
We cannot overturn cars and set them on fire every time the price goes up on something due to the various exigencies of life---weather, supply/demand, material shortages, labor disputes. The best way to foment change in a capitalist system is not through radical violence, but peaceful 'pocketbook' protest.
4
Not so fast. Subways and other transit systems are used mostly by people that can’t afford their their own private mode of transportation - their own cars. You are asking the poor to pay for building and maintaining the trains they ride on.
That’s the role of society, taxes and government. As a society, we care for the well being of the entire population. Government implement just and fair tax policies where people with higher income pay more than those less fortunate. Elected government officials work FOR the people that elected them and, as such must allocate the taxes money the best way to pay for the well being of the entire society. That includes, building and maintains roads for cars and transit systems for the poor.
It’s not and never was pay as you go.
9
This is overly simplistic. Systemic corruption very often siphons capital out of government agencies, transit systems etc. A free market will never work; regulations are needed to keep the moneyed and powerful in line. But now you see the paradox: why ever would the powerful allow checks on their very own power to enrich themselves?
6
Young people are rebelling against economic hardship, authoritarianism and fear of a bleak future.
But rebelling and governing are two different things.
Lot of young people don't know what it takes to build institutions, infrastructure and manage resources successfully. Their social media creates a lot of immaturity, arrogance, illusions and unrealistic expectations. But their rebellion against corruption and authoritarianism are valid. In many places protests are not just from the young.
More power to those who speak against, protest against and work against corruption and corporate and State greed and authoritarianism.
9
Young people are rebelling against economic hardship, authoritarianism and fear of a bleak future. But rebelling and governing are two different things. Lot of young people don't know what it takes to build institutions, infrastructure and manage resources successfully. Their social media creates a lot of immaturity, arrogance, illusions and unrealistic expectations. But their rebellion against corruption and authoritarianism are valid. In many places protests are not just from the young. More piwer to those who speak against, protest against and work against corruption and corporate and State greed and authoritarianism.
3
Young people are rebelling against economic hardship, authoritarianism and fear of a bleak future. But rebelling and governing are two different things. Lot of young people don't know what it takes to build institutions, infrastructure and manage resources successfully. Their social media creates a lot of immaturity, arrogance, illusions and unrealistic expectations. But their rebellion against corruption and authoritarianism are valid. In many places protests are not just from the young. More piwer to those who speak against, protest against and work against corruption and corporate and State greed and authoritarianism.
1
Just wait until the disruptions from climate change become a yearly, monthly or weekly issue for some communities. Too many people struggling for too few resources will doom many societies.
21
Too many people using too many resources. Governments can't support everyone with jobs, money, health.
8
I was in Barcelona last week and the demonstrations were right outside my hotel window, with the smell of smokey flames infiltrating the room. Helicopters were circling all night. Police were shooting rubber bullets and using water canons to disperse the crowd. At times, it was impossible to get around. The airport was shut day after day. I was lucky to get a flight home. In the midst, my purse was stolen by thieves who undoubtedly knew the police were distracted. One half million people on the streets with injuries by the dozens and yet, it got barely any media coverage in the U.S.. Hardly any ink at all in this very paper. Have we become so inured to people's sincere troubles? Our own protests are next. I hope the people that matter will be listening.
42
The common thread is that the cause of all the protests are regressive taxes Taxes and fees where supposedly every one pays the same are a con. This is another way wealth is redistributed to the top at the expense of those least able to pay This form of corruption which hurts those least able to afford it is treated as common sense.
20
The nation-state is obsolete. We continue to believe that we are first political animals with economic systems to produce and provide life.
The truth is, we are biological beings first. Until we act like that, we will continue to destroy our oceans, clear-cut our forests, foul are air, and march straight on into climate change.
The symptom of the nation-state being obsolete are the authoritarians, dictators, and strong-men ascendant across the world, ruling by either trying to placate their citizens, or terrifying them into obedience.
We are killing ourselves, and will be a part of the mass extinction we have begun, if we don't change how we see ourselves as citizens, and how we choose to be governed.
30
It seems the situation in Lebanon is no different now than is depicted in The Peasant Rebellion netflix show!! Slavery in every way but name, similar conditions in most other countries.
4
The dysfunctional, inherently unfair, and structurally imbalanced global economic system created by forty years of the toxic combination of neoliberal economics, shareholder-driven capitalism, and globalization has reached a point where the levels of inequality in developed and developing countries alike are becoming unsustainable.
Unfortunately, this is just the beginning of a profoundly turbulent era in history, and absent a historic course-correction the acceleration of the Artificial Intelligence Revolution in the coming decade will be the tipping point to a level of chaos that most people would consider inconceivable.
The financial crisis in 2008 was an historic opportunity for the aforementioned course-correction, but that opportunity was recklessly and catastrophically squandered.
The judgement rendered by history will be savage for those culpable in this colossal failure, from Thatcher to Reagan, Bill Clinton to Tony Blair, W., Obama and Trump, Wall Street, MBAs, the C-Suite of Multinationals, Management Consultants, institutions like the Fed, the EU, the IMF and the World Bank, Silicon Valley, and all those dangerously clueless economists, because right now violent social upheaval on a global scale appears rather inevitable.
20
Look at the way the 'Occupy' movement was crushed.
A disorganized group that rightfully protested the way the financial industry was given trillions, this group was treated as if they were a direct threat to our government and way of life.
Fewer and fewer people control more and more of the wealth in this world. Labor is treated as an expense, not an asset. We have seen an endless pursuit of the lowest possible labor costs over the last 50 years reversing the gains made by labor in the first half of the 20th century.
Wages are falling far behind inflation. The jobs base of western nations has been gutted. There is little job security for those that do have jobs. Meanwhile a very few become richer and richer.
Meanwhile climate change is leading towards food shortages all around the world.
We are heading towards a perfect storm but all our leaders care about is their own preservation. THAT is the fundamental problem world wide.
52
@cynicalskeptic Are you serious?! The 'occupy' movement was nothing more than a big party by young millennials that had no idea what they wanted except to get free stuff, and throw garbage all over the sidewalks and parks. They smoked pot and drank and just had themselves a ball. And you think they had a point?!
There is no coincidence that protests against economic austerity are quickly challenging the authoritarian governments that have imposed those conditions on their people.
Neoliberalism shifted the locus of power from democratic institutions into increasingly larger and larger corporations, banks and investment houses.
Neoliberalism always sought to destroy the New Deal economic model that tempered the most exploitive elements of capitalism and established some measure of democratic control over the economy through a regulatory scheme. Now it is world wide.
The very capital elements that had to give ground in the 1930's an 40's have been fighting back with a vengeance ever since.
Whether small farmers in India, teachers in Chicago, textile workers in Haiti, the yellow vests in France or the students in Hong Kong, each are fighting against entrenched corruption, crony capitalism and financial imperialism that has made their lives precarious and miserable.
We have come to a point where a dozen families control more wealth than half the people on the planet. Protests and disruption are spreading because people see little hope for their future.
The US we hasn't yet reached the point of rebellion. But our economic conditions while different in degree are no different in kind than those in the global south.
If things don't change we will be in the streets with our brothers and sisters as well. A word to the wise.
38
The public has a high tolerance for taxation. Generally, increases in taxes are much more likely to inspire protest and rebellion when they are in large increments rather than small. However, when small increment increases in taxes are too frequently imposed, then they have the same effect as a large increment increase.
Whether tax increases come in large or small doses, there comes a point when the public has had enough. I don't know where that point is, but like the Supreme Court said about pornography, we will know it when we see it. But it seems intuitive that the tolerance level will be lower if government leaders are perceived to be corrupt.
It is a question of perception, not of fact. If the fact of politicians corruption was the criterion, then rebellions would repeatedly occur with great frequency since corruption has always been a core behavior of all politicians regardless of party, political philosophy, gender, age, or religion.
1
A lot of logic, behind this report, congratulations to both journalists.
IMF. Corporate greed = wealth gap. Capitalism that rewards institutional powers instead of authentic pricing that could address systemic needs for change. Global competition that has driven down wages. Trillions of dollars in inflation since 2008. Huge unemployment rates for 20 years in many of the countries that have erupted in protests. It is ugly and overdue.
10
Too many people - not enough resources - planet dying.
18
@Kaari
Too few people controlling the existing resources.
THEIR 'solution' is to drastically reduce the number of people instead of sharing the existing wealth.
10
@Kaari
There is enough for everyone. Break out the guillotine for the jet set and use that wealth to spur development and a sustainable future. The old world system is dying but we can have a stable and fair future.
7
Unbridled capitalism doesn't work anywhere in the world as the disparity between the top 1% and everyone else continues to grow lopsidedly and seemingly without any benefit for the 99%.
Elizabeth Warren talks about uncontrolled capitalism quite a lot and she's one of the few Democrat Candidates that do.
Scandinavian countries have leaned hard on the wealthy for decades and the result is that every single Scandinavian country ranks highest on the public happiness indices.
Wake up Democrats because this is your issue to run on against the Republicans who will continue to feed at the trough at the expense of 99% of us if not controlled.
63
@Ken Solin
I'm sorry, but the issue isn't "unbridled capitalism", it's capitalism, period. This is not an insignificant distinction that can be hand-waived away, it is of absolute importance. And again, Warren's brand of technocratic reformism is not going to deliver us to liberation. It might deliver some of us to a somewhat more stable material existence, but it will not liberate all of us in the way we truly need. Not even Sanders' platform would get us there, but a crucial distinction is that Sander's program *does* recognize the paramount importance of building up a robust, sustained movement of all working people that will hopefully give us the ability to deliver ourselves to liberation. Warren's vision, I regret to inform, is simply insufficient.
2
Scandinavian countries are known for their lack of corruption. A strong safety nets works when both the politicians and citizens are honest and ethical.
1
Reminiscent of the lead up to 2008 if your ask me.
1
Although your coverage of the situation in Chile is not incorrect, it paints a picture of a highly destructive manner of protesting. I’m currently studying in Santiago and it’s anything but totally destructive. If you would take a closer look and write about the mostly peaceful movement for social change that is taking place, it would give your readers solid information that most of the world doesn’t have. Do your job and the world will listen.
23
I can't believe an article about the failure of neoliberal capitalism doesn't mention neoliberalism.
We're going (suffering) through late-stage capitalism, with predictable results. TINA wasn't really an immutable law, as Margaret Thatcher implied when she said that "there's no alternative" to neoliberal capitalism.
To recap: over 40 years ago when ruling elites in the U.S. and Europe started adopting Chicago School of Economics "market fundamentalism" (Milton Friedman and Co.) ideology, which would become known as Neoliberalism, they told citizens that by deregulating big business, privatizing as much of the public sector as possible, and financializing it all (via complex financial instruments), that we would all be better off.
Of course, that was a self-serving (big) lie by the newly-energized "corporate activists" who would eventually follow the blueprint laid out in the "Powell Memo."
The result was predictable: deregulation led to a wholesale takeover of government regulatory power by corporate interests, which led to the tearing down of regulations that protected people from market excesses, which led to today's unprecedented level of income inequality (to monopolies, oligopolies, media conglomeration, wholesale government corruption), which of course, leads to revolution.
97
@Luis Mendoza
You nailed it.
".....deregulation led to a wholesale takeover of government regulatory power by corporate interests, which led to the tearing down of regulations that protected people..."
Moreover, in America the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court gave corporate interests complete control of our elected officials, thus dooming the American people to oblivion.
8
I am very surprised to see no reference to the Yellow Vests. That seems like an obvious earlier version of a very similar protest. Actually, one could cite Occupy Wall Street as perhaps the first real opposition to inequality and “elites” generally.
25
@L. Hoberman There were yellow vests in Chile but quite the opposite from the French. The Chileans wearing yellow vests were members of different neighborhoods whom banded together to protect their homes and local stores from looting and destruction.
2
Just imagine how America might inspire the world with a Sanders presidency at this moment in history.
13
Global economy slow down might contribute to Mr. Trump's decision to have trade war with China, and ignorance to the violence and riot of the Hong Kong protester by western media encourage these young men around the world to revolt.
2
These protests are occurring in states where the government has an outside control of peoples lives. It's always been like that. People come to expect basic goods in their life and when that doesn't happen this kind of rioting happens. Stop giving people stuff and let the free markets work, everyone will be better off.
2
I live in Chile and am seeing this first-hand. Don’t believe the narrative you’re hearing from the press. There are dozens of videos circulating social media that clearly show Carabineros and Chilean military setting fire to buildings themselves. Videos of the police stuffing looted televisions into their cars, beating, shooting, running over unarmed protesters or kidnapping them out of their houses. Using shock doctrine tactics straight out of the 1973 playbook.
34
We would take to the streets and protest Trump/GOP corruption, but we are all afraid to gather with all those AR-15 with bump stocks out there.
So much for the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
GOP and the NRA keep us from protesting by allowing these mass killings to continue. Admit it wouldn’t you be afraid to participate in Hong Kong style protests here? GOP gun policy seems to be accomplishing GOP goals.
13
In India , prime minister Modi is the perfect example of extremism in terms of religion. Morning to night he is diverting attention from poverty, unemployment, by giving paid news on hindu religion and Pakistan .
4
I don't suppose the author here (or many of those readers who comment about 'issues' ) has ever heard about a new invention called 'the cell phone' and the ubiquitous & dystopian social media 'communications methodologies' available to the purveyors of dissent/anarchy to 'mobilize' these hundreds of thousands of 'protesters/mobs' in today's world ? Why the 'deep-thinking/academic mystery' of HOW/WHY the multiplicity of these events occurs NOW, as opposed to nearly a decade ago ? Answer is simple. When was the last time anyone was seen w/a newspaper/book/magazine ANYWHERE in the world ? Huh ? J. Goebbels would have LOVED this terrible technology !!! Facebook has > a BILLION subscribers !!!
7
US is supportive of those rioters in HK.......
1
Nothing about the sheer ease of organizing protests? Social media and smartphones have made it simple and almost effortless to call a protest. Naturally the supply of protests has increased and with more supply comes, of course, less value. Protests too. Imagine the difficulty of organizing a protest in the civil rights era. The dedication, effort, sacrifice and sweat networking required, There is little comparison to the casual, fashionable ease of today’s protests, beyond the romantic appeal of protests and their historic significance. Don’t ever estimate their value in a functioning democracy. Better to dedicate all that energy to getting out the vote.
4
You'll see it here too, if Trump is re-elected...or when the economy collapses (what's going on with the repo rate...anyone?)
5
What's happening now is only choppy water before the tsunami...
16
From Wikipedia:
Thematically, Nineteen Eighty-Four centres on the risks of government overreach, totalitarianism, and repressive regimentation of all persons and behaviours within society.
1
We can elect Bernie and come together to do this peacefully, or...
16
@Lilly
Or what?
Look around.
2
I suppose we should not be surprised when members of the public do not feel inclined to abide by the law when they see that our leaders do not. The phrase “leading by example” comes to mind.
27
@Peter Schenk
"Our Leaders"
I'm trying to think of decent leaders in any nation ...
The United States of America has the Criminal/Narcissist In-Chief, Canada has Justin Trudeau who seemingly is somewhat corrupt, England has Boris Johnson, the Trump clone, Russia has Putin, a former KGB officer, France has Macron, a pure elitist, every African nation is ruled by some self-serving dictator, South America is no better, Central America is a disaster, the Middle East is ruled by several lawless individuals similar to Mr. Bone Saw of Saudi Arabia; the Philippines has an authoritarian at the helm, who has a policy of summarily murdering drug users and dealers; China has Xi who may be yet the artful leader of the only superpower on the planet.
Switzerland, Germany, the Scandinavian countries seem to have it together; The Republic of Ireland with Low Varadkar as its openly gay Prime Minister is getting things together.
Methinks we are all in one big slowly boiling cauldron, which might be close to boiling over ...
11
The working class’ request is simple enough. Stop raising prices and taxes on us. Listen. Stop it. We’re not gonna take it anymore.
18
More to come, people, more to come.
Wish John Lennon lived to see this all unfold...and Bob Marley, too.
5
From the moment on when politicians and CEOs make so obscenely more than teachers and mothers, the world has a problem.
50
It is *NOT* pocket book issues.
It is that that the lower strata of societies see their income stagnant, if not falling - there is always a country that will do their work for less - while the elite , the owners of capital , make out like bandits from globalization.
That is why you do *NOT* see this conflicts in countries that are at the bottom of the global pay scale. E.g. Ethiopia where one factory after the other is being build to make use of its ultra low wages
11
The ROOT of the problem is uncontrolled population growth.
30
@Darren Dueck
Two world wars set us back a little. And if it's any consolation, with his visionary precision, Albert Einstein noted in the aftermath “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” - That suggests an inevitable reset based on standard human behavior. Or we may crowd out all other major forms of life until we finally collapse under our own runaway numbers and choke on our own waste. But I'm an optimist.
19
And grossly unequal distribution of wealth.
17
@Darren Dueck There is a ROOT to the ROOT you mentioned. religion
15
Capitalism is a failure in this country the only way it survives is all the taxes break and laws for them to hide their money.
The American Farmer is nothing more then a Socialist, where would they be with out all the govt handouts and we keep thing of new ones every years.
Time to eat the rich, any one worth more then 500 million should lose all those asset above that.
But end all the taxes break for these people.
When the Koch brother can give 500 million to Raul Ryan all three should be shot for treason.
30
@Joe : Why $500 million? Who needs more than $5 million?
2
Not in the U.S.? The week-old teachers' strike here in Chicago is morphing into something much larger, and much more like what's happening in Chile and Lebanon - for many of the same reasons. Today (Wednesday) at mid-day striking teachers and their supporters basically shut down Chicago's central business district. This is like previous teachers' strikes in L.A., Arizona, and West Virginia, but taken a step further.
And not in the U.K.? What about the million people who came to Parliament to protest against the conservative government's Brexit plans?
The global kleptocratic oligarchy is suddenly facing French Revolution times. It's in Chile, Lebanon, London, Ecuador, Chicago, and the halls of the U.S. House, all at the same time.
60
@Voter
This article is significant as is your comment with respect to the Hong Kong protests as well.
Despite the popularity of calling the HK protests "pro-Democracy" the underlying despair of the youth is an economic one. The young Hong Kongers fear mainland China's economic system which favors Mandarin speaking and mainland born individuals. Their economic outlook has taken a huge hit since 1997 and it looks even worse now. The protests are called "pro Democracy" by western media because China is not a democracy. In truth, the economy in Hong Kong is driving this protest just like the others named here.
@Voter Shame on the Chicago teachers, some of the highest paid in the country and corrupt as they come. They refuse to fund more than 2% of their pensions, and many collect multiple pensions as they retire and then start anew. After years of pension holidays, overly generous pension benefits, a lack of transparency and rampant cronyism, both the CPS system and the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund, or CTPF, are now broke.
To close down entire areas is wrong, the teachers union really has no ground to demand the excessive benefits they receive already. No sympathy, none.
The protests in Lebanon do not seem to be against democracy, but the lack of it. The old power-sharing arrangement no longer works.
5
I recently watched the Meryl Streep's movie "The Laundromat" on Netflix, about the shenanigans of the rich and powerful who hide their money so they won't pay any taxes. The entire time I kept thinking of the mind boggling amounts of money that is hidden away and never benefits society.
Because let's be clear, these fabulously rich denizens are rich on the backs of those who start burning the fires.
67
@Decebal ...and don't think they're not watching from the 72nd floor as they smoke their cigars and sip their cognac.
11
Trump’s best hope may be for Americans to “take to the streets” about something besides his deserved removal. It’s the economy, but the inequality here is the massive push down on the ninety per cent as wealth flows to the owning class. We are used to being quiet about the pursuit of our own interests, and have been fooled into thinking college for all will tip a scale. Most likely a million of us will bus to DC for a feel-good parade and the Donald will love the attention and rant against the press.
9
When one is not able to pay for their child's medical treatment, and then they hear about Jeff Bezos' 10th mansion, something snaps in a person.
It's going to get worse.
166
It’s going to get a LOT worse. Be prepared.
15
@Jim ...and hopefully sooner than later. I'm getting old and would like to see some semblance of economic fairness before I die. Warren, 2020.
12
@Jim ...and hopefully sooner than later. I'm getting old and would like to see some semblance of economic fairness before I die. Warren, 2020.
The writer tangentially references the Hong Kong protests.
HK and these are all part of the same phenomenon as Occupy Wall Street. China’s response to the protests may be a free speech issue. But the protests themselves are unrest over pocketbook issues.
2
Where’s Neil Irwin when you need him? It’s worth mentioning that the US Dollar has been on a five year upswing. The domestic currencies of many of these countries have devalued due to the USD strength. This trend followed the oil crash of 2014. So purchasing power has declined even as oil and other commodity prices have incrementally risen.
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The wealthy elites bear the main responsibility of the crisis.
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Seeming small matters if you are wealthy. Not so small matters if you're poor.
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When young people are surrounded by injustice and corruption, it's hard to imagine anything but a bleak future. Eventually they reach a tipping point and act - people will take extreme risks when they have nothing left to lose.
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It's acknowledged somewhat by the reporters but this article paints in broad strokes.
During the Arab Spring, in Libya, Egypt, Syria, you could call for the head of a dictator -- they were authoritarian regimes. Lebanon is a quasi parliamentary democracy -- not authoritarian -- even if flawed and struggling.
"But experts say these recent protests are driven by a new generation that cares less about the old sectarian or ideological divides. Instead of calling for the head of a dictator as many Arabs did in 2011, the Lebanese have indicted an entire political class."
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The straw that breaks the camels back is an implicit admission the camel was overloaded to begin with.
In more and more places, elites are protected by law and custom from the mistakes that should have seen them lose influence and make a space for new ideas.
In too many instances the hypocrisy and lies are plain to see; the once secret banking system which allows the looting of countries and regions are now available for streaming on Netflix(the Laundromat) and Youtube.
The idea of elites skimming a few percentage points was palatable when there was enough of the pie to go around for other groups. Not anymore.
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For decades the "elites" - be they political or corporate- have funneled more and more of the economic gains to themselves. Often governments are deeply in debt. Then institutions like the IMF come in and demand "austerity". The problem is, this "austerity" isn't directed at the corrupt monied class that scarfed off all the funds - it is directed at poor and working class people, who are now told they have to pay more in tax, or do without services in order to "pay" for the debt their corrupt governments incurred. The problem is, these debts didn't go to help the average person - the debts ended up being siphoned off to the ruling classes. No wonder people are fed up. In this nation, it is unfortunate those who lost out to the results of the great recession voted for Donald Trump thinking he was going to "Make American Great Again". Instead it is corruption on steroids. I recently saw a quote from Jamie Dimon that he wouldn't mine paying more taxes, but was afraid it "would be wasted". Really - well I resent the deficits being incurred due to giving the wealthiest and corporate classes huge tax breaks - and down the road am going to be told my Medicare and SS will have to reduced, because you know this is unsustainable. Yes, I don't like my taxes being wasted either Mr. Dimon - wasted on corporate bailouts and loopholes that benefit the richest among us, while the elderly and working poor wonder how they are going to pay for their next prescription refill.
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@dairyfarmersdaughter
Brilliant letter. Thank you. Yes, austerity for the bottom 80 percent, bailouts for corporations and elites.
Our democracies are completely for sale.
( from a mixed farmer's son)
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@dairyfarmersdaughter
"Taxed... to pay for the debt their corrupt governments incurred."
Maybe you implied this, but many of these debts were incurred paying our way out of the 2008 financial crisis - debts mostly originally run up by banks and other financial institutions and then nationalised by governments fearing a domino effect if some of these banks had been forced into collapse.
And what will happen when people figure out the U.S. government is carrying more debt than they can manage ?
What happens when the world figures out that U.S. Treasury bonds are not the safest of investments, but in fact, junk ?
A problem so serious, and the only workable solution is give everyone the worst of deals ? What happens then ?
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@David Martin, BUY GOLD!
@David Martin,
Excellent point.
Our elites are still oblivious, but the next 5 years will be tumultuous, and the USA is destined for some of the worst upheaval.
The USA is the Titanic, we’ve already hit the iceberg, and the pundits are obsessed over whether the deck chairs should be red or blue.
Crony capitalism is failing as it always does. Can we implement the progressive solutions to clean up society and make it more equitable before we see the global failures that led to World War II occur again?
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So far, this is nothing at all. The real baseline cause of all these protests is that overpopulation is causing scarcity of resources. Combine that with deprivation due to climate change, and the natural result is civil war, as happened in Syria.
Since humans will not control their birthrate, and corruption and greed are a central part of human nature, these problems will only increase. When the riots are not over scandals and subway fares, but caused by famine, there will be a lot of deaths. Fifteen deaths in Chile is really nothing at all, worldwide that many people die about every 23 seconds. Hundreds of thousands of deaths are going to be tougher for societies to survive.
Wish I could see an easy way out of this, but I can't. I do hope that humanity will learn from the coming time of turmoil, and the upside is that we might eliminate enough humans to put the brakes on climate change, and societies rising from the ashes might have a better caretaker mindset.
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Not surprised. We were there in July and everywhere we went, we saw the deep rooted racism and class structure. The so called 'whiter' Chileans had all the power and the poor (mostly darker) Chileans were kept away from the richer places-their neighborhoods were awful. This was in every city we went and very pronounced in La Serena where the stretch of the entire 2 to 3 mile beach was adorned with high rise expensive appartments, and a lot of police presence who looked at darker skinned people (the very few that were there to sell wares on the beach) with a lot of suspicion. I was pretty sure that this would erupt one day.
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So true. I’m married to a Chilean and have been watching this protests and looting this week. Chile is pure capitalism, based on economist Milton Friedman’s direction to the Chilean government in the 1970’s. Even basic services are privatized through out the country such as drinking water and priced without regulation.
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In the democratic countries, many times the poor and working class vote for social/ethnic/religious issues and not economic ones.
Until they collectively smarten up they will always get dominated by more informed people.
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I'm shocked that this article doesn't include a single image of the military presence in the streets in Santiago, even though three out of the five photos published with this piece are of the protests here. Instead you choose to highlight fires and barricades built by the demonstrators. The government here is violently repressing peaceful protests, when will you show that to the world? At least five people are confirmed to have been killed by the military and police under the current state of emergency, is that less newsworthy than a looted store? So disappointing.
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What, you believe the conservative media and think the Times is liberal? Who do ya think owns this paper? Poor folks livin in the Projects?
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Thank you maggie! I’m living through this too in Concepción. The military set fire to the Sodimac here the other day. Videos showed it clear as day. Stay strong and stay safe!
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Barcelona: a more specifically political issue.
Everywhere else: roughly about people's fears (or often the reality) that they have barely enough resources for them to survive as human beings, while the haves take an increasing large slice of the pie. Of all the pies.
I think they feel that they are always on the edge of homelessness - on a private level, as costs freeze out millions. But there is a different sense of homelessness in that those who haven't achieved a certain economic comfort are treated as expendable and know it. They do not feel that they have a home even in their homeland or home cities.
From occasional reports - even in the US, clean water, an absolute bare minimum for survival - is not available. Even here, in our touted prosperity, why isn't that prosperity translated into better conditions across the country?
And hope for the future?? For full participation in their Societies? Protests can represent hope and the determination to effect change. When that is extinguished, there is lawlessness.
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In fact it is simple: copycat!
Media companies have reported the unrest in Hong Kong in great details, for the past 4 months to a point that it is an obsession. When young people watch it,learn the strategies and playbooks, they will do the same on their own soil.
Is USA next?
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This is only the first inning.
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Just "recent weeks"?
Anybody recall what brought the gillets jaunes out? My recollection is that it was economic.
I think they may have served as the example for how to register protest.
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I’d noticed this apparent pattern of protests around the world. Thanks for trying to explain it. The theme of intergenerational tensions does seem promising, coupled with a division between elites and everyone else. Perhaps the US and UK are a few years behind, as our citizens’ frustrations got channeled into Trump and Brexit. Maybe we will see similar mass protests soon when these channels are exposed as the false panaceas they will doubtless prove to be.
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