social democracy and socialism are two different phenomenons. The French socialists learned about social democracy from the Swedes where social democracy dominated society for decades choosing always negotiating instead of violent confrontation as in France. Former prime minister Michel Rocard (1930-2016) used to call himself France´s first social democrat and going often to Sweden. He in turn influenced greatly president Francois Hollande who calls himself social democrat as does his former prime minister Manuel Valls a loser against a very oldfashioned French socialist Benoit Hamon as party candidate for the upcoming presidential elections in May. It is unlikely however that the socialist party will be first choice among voters with the popularity of the brilliant liberal Emmanuel Macron declaring himself as leaning Left but no socialist party member, former economy minister under Hollande.
1
Even if you deported all the employed recent immigrants and didn't allow any immigrants into France and other developed Weston countries; the inequality of income and the destruction of the middle class would continue unabated. The real problems and solutions are being obfuscated by the elites ability to focus our attention on people who have very little to do with the problems of inequality. Eight people today have more wealth than over three billion people in the world. The Walmart family is worth over 90 billion dollars and most of Walmart workers are being subsidized by the federal government's food stamp and other safety net programs. As Willy Sutton, the famous bank robber once answered the question of why banks- he said because that's where the money is. If society wants to begin to remedy its problems it must go after where the money is- the five percent which control most of the wealth and have received all of the income growth since 2007 financial meltdown. That's not to say their shouldn't be incentives for free entries and entrepreneurship but it does say the Warren Buffets and Gates of the world are amply rewarded by having only five or ten percent of their current wealth and income and should be taxed accordingly. The rich will blame immigrants and anyone else the media propaganda can use to justify why peoples' lives haven't improved. Greed of the elites and their corruption of the government are the reasons for our problems, not immigrants
1
This "right populist" nonsense, born of a brilliant and sustained campaign of propaganda, is a front for the super-rich, of course, mostly (though not entirely) fossil fuel and mining interests determined to eliminate the power of nations and alliances to tax and regulate them.
Trump in the US, Brexit, Le Pen in France, whatever filthy right-wing storm is headed toward Germany--while the game is to whip the voters into a frenzy in order to preserve the appearance of democratic rectitude, the only interests served in the long run are those of the anti-democrats.
These insanely wealthy men aren't content with having bought up legislatures, judiciaries, and news outlets; they want to restore a kind of feudal order to the world, to exempt themselves from the tiresome requirements of citizenship and civic duty and to subject the rest of us to the pain and terror of life without the mitigating prop of an Enlightenment concept of human rights and equal justice.
It's ironic, from an American perspective, as we lapse into a kind of tawdry and exhausted fascism, to realize that once France has been breached and liberté, égalité, fraternité have vanished into the mist, the only remaining firewall protecting the democratic order and the very idea of democratic governance in the West will be, of all places, Germany.
Trump in the US, Brexit, Le Pen in France, whatever filthy right-wing storm is headed toward Germany--while the game is to whip the voters into a frenzy in order to preserve the appearance of democratic rectitude, the only interests served in the long run are those of the anti-democrats.
These insanely wealthy men aren't content with having bought up legislatures, judiciaries, and news outlets; they want to restore a kind of feudal order to the world, to exempt themselves from the tiresome requirements of citizenship and civic duty and to subject the rest of us to the pain and terror of life without the mitigating prop of an Enlightenment concept of human rights and equal justice.
It's ironic, from an American perspective, as we lapse into a kind of tawdry and exhausted fascism, to realize that once France has been breached and liberté, égalité, fraternité have vanished into the mist, the only remaining firewall protecting the democratic order and the very idea of democratic governance in the West will be, of all places, Germany.
3
They have cable news in France too, and the whole country watched the humiliation of Greece in the spring of 2015: Dirst,-In a national election, Greece elects Syriza, who vow to end austerity and restart the Greek economy with traditional Kensyian methods. then the IMF and the German and Dutch bankers object, telling Greece to pay their debts or quit the Euro. so the Greek leader calls a referendum: Let the people decide if they want austerity or government debt. Surprisingly, the referendum wins overwhelmingly and the Greeks vote to defy the bankers and the EU. But-the banks close the ATMs in the whole country limiting each account to 60 Euro withdrawal daily, and Syriza backs down and the misery worsens. The French, seeing this unfold on TV in a matter of weeks, suddenly realize that the rest of Europe has become a colony of Germany. It was a seachange, and we have yet to see the ultimate consequences of German austerity. It may have precipitated the end of the European Union. We'll know soon enough
2
From early 1900’s democracy was fully achieved in most of the “western” world. Large proportions of the electorate have been living OK but want more income and less risk. Their demands represent a significant swing vote and politicians in self-interest oblige. This was paralleled by labour union action on wages and working conditions.
For centuries the western economies had only “internal” competition until the emergence of Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Seeing the margins labour unions and governments forcibly took an increasing proportion with resulting entrenched positions under “democratic legislation”. Prices were maintained behind artificial barriers producing higher salaries and higher taxes.
Changing politics in the developing world and ensuing globalization introduced worldwide competition. Heavy investment into the developing world resulted in massive new capacity (surplus in many sectors) and significant increases in consumption of natural resources. Many businesses were forced to move to lower cost environments to survive with resulting losses of jobs and tax revenues in “home countries” relative to growing demands, entrenched future entitlements and changing demographics. Entrenched positions of labour have slowly eroded due to the surplus of labour but not those of governments which have become larger.
The change has been tough on the lesser educated and able in the developed world and a boon for hundreds of millions in the developing world.
For centuries the western economies had only “internal” competition until the emergence of Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Seeing the margins labour unions and governments forcibly took an increasing proportion with resulting entrenched positions under “democratic legislation”. Prices were maintained behind artificial barriers producing higher salaries and higher taxes.
Changing politics in the developing world and ensuing globalization introduced worldwide competition. Heavy investment into the developing world resulted in massive new capacity (surplus in many sectors) and significant increases in consumption of natural resources. Many businesses were forced to move to lower cost environments to survive with resulting losses of jobs and tax revenues in “home countries” relative to growing demands, entrenched future entitlements and changing demographics. Entrenched positions of labour have slowly eroded due to the surplus of labour but not those of governments which have become larger.
The change has been tough on the lesser educated and able in the developed world and a boon for hundreds of millions in the developing world.
2
Desperate people turning to fascism...sounds familiar.
2
Perhaps. As Henry Thoreau put it, Most people lead lives of desperation!
Finally, wherever we are, the problems and concerns are the same. All the conservative economic policies will have failed excepted for the shareholders and the owners who will have grown rich during all these thirty years. Unfortunately, the machine is turning around against them, their cupidity will have got the better of them, to make a maximum of money with a minimum of people, in a minimum of time and whether possible abroad where the wages are quite low for ensuring the maximum benefit. The result is here, these so called-elites are defecating the next dictatures, the next wars and the next revolutions.
1
Socialism writes checks you can never fully cash.
The Left or Right demagogues among us are manipulating the populations with easy and breezy bromides for our current challenges. Each time a far Left crowd rises up, a similar and opposing movement begins on the Right. They are joined not by political philosophy but by the means to which they try to assume power and control over the people. The Left and the Right can be equally persuasive in the twisted logic that "they" will rescue the people. Seldom do we hear from politicians and leaders that some amount of struggle will accompany life. Never do we hear about the central role of self-governance and personal control over choices. We want an "other" to take on our enemies, because confession and surrender of our pride is costly.
Whether France has Social Democrats or Nationalist LePen's running the nation, the result for the people will be the same. Only a nation of compassionate, self-governing people can long survive without falling into the loving arms of the demagogue.
As the United States smiles nervously, acting above the fray, it should turn its attention to the obsession on the personal and the growing list of "rights". These "rights" are means to suppress each other and shape a world to our personal will, not the will of the people. And a personal world will not easily endure.
One nation, under God, is deeply offensive to some. I am waiting for the idyllic alternative to arrive.
One nation, under many wants?
The Left or Right demagogues among us are manipulating the populations with easy and breezy bromides for our current challenges. Each time a far Left crowd rises up, a similar and opposing movement begins on the Right. They are joined not by political philosophy but by the means to which they try to assume power and control over the people. The Left and the Right can be equally persuasive in the twisted logic that "they" will rescue the people. Seldom do we hear from politicians and leaders that some amount of struggle will accompany life. Never do we hear about the central role of self-governance and personal control over choices. We want an "other" to take on our enemies, because confession and surrender of our pride is costly.
Whether France has Social Democrats or Nationalist LePen's running the nation, the result for the people will be the same. Only a nation of compassionate, self-governing people can long survive without falling into the loving arms of the demagogue.
As the United States smiles nervously, acting above the fray, it should turn its attention to the obsession on the personal and the growing list of "rights". These "rights" are means to suppress each other and shape a world to our personal will, not the will of the people. And a personal world will not easily endure.
One nation, under God, is deeply offensive to some. I am waiting for the idyllic alternative to arrive.
One nation, under many wants?
2
Outside of Paris, a large swath of France feels disenfranchised and at the same time liberated by the election of Trump. They are excitedly and openly discussing Le Pen as the candidate of choice for the first time. Expect a Le Pen victory and more pressure on Ms Merkel as Europe moves to "every country for itself".
2
Yeah sure. Actually the French election is fast becoming interesting and Mrs Le Pen's chances are slowly evaporating.
1) Le Pen's party is a mix of 'ye olde days' far right and disgruntled workers. He policies cannot appeal to both so she is doing what most policians do in those circumstances. Promising what is not possible.
2) Hammon's win on the left pushes the social democrats out of the socialist party and into Macron's hands. He should be palatable for Melenchon to link with and both of them will only be relevant if they do this.
3) Fillon wanted to stand for the 'no scandal' traditional conservatives. His current scandal shows just how hollow that is. He is going righter and righter to attract Le Pen's right wing voters.
4) Macron trawls the social democrats from the PS. The anti scandal / give someone else a chance, the rational youth (and not so young).
I am notoriously bad at predicting but at present I would see:
1) Fillon / Macron or Macron / Le Pen second round. In the latter case Macron wins in the former case its a toss up but probably Fillon.
1) Le Pen's party is a mix of 'ye olde days' far right and disgruntled workers. He policies cannot appeal to both so she is doing what most policians do in those circumstances. Promising what is not possible.
2) Hammon's win on the left pushes the social democrats out of the socialist party and into Macron's hands. He should be palatable for Melenchon to link with and both of them will only be relevant if they do this.
3) Fillon wanted to stand for the 'no scandal' traditional conservatives. His current scandal shows just how hollow that is. He is going righter and righter to attract Le Pen's right wing voters.
4) Macron trawls the social democrats from the PS. The anti scandal / give someone else a chance, the rational youth (and not so young).
I am notoriously bad at predicting but at present I would see:
1) Fillon / Macron or Macron / Le Pen second round. In the latter case Macron wins in the former case its a toss up but probably Fillon.
Again the NY Times is not talking about a real Progressive Candidate one who falls into the SANDERS category ... why not bring your readers attention to:
JEAN-LUC MELENCHON??? The public needs to know about this man!
JEAN-LUC MELENCHON??? The public needs to know about this man!
14
Yes, it's an incomplete analysis without Melenchon and his supporters, including the PCF.
1
I write my comment for the second time in a week: please do a report on Benoit Hamon. He's too left for my taste but has some creative ideas…
and as the Guardian states today,
"Benoît Hamon, the staunchly leftwing rebel outsider who wants to introduce a universal basic income, legalise cannabis and tax robots has been chosen as the French Socialist party’s presidential candidate."
and as the Guardian states today,
"Benoît Hamon, the staunchly leftwing rebel outsider who wants to introduce a universal basic income, legalise cannabis and tax robots has been chosen as the French Socialist party’s presidential candidate."
2
Same story. Ordinary people, normally a left wing constituency, losing their jobs and their future and their kids future. In France there hasn't been an explicit war on unions. Still, slowly but surely, unions and their workers are losing the tug of war between labor and employers. Ordinary workers now want to take an axe to the system. They say the left has failed them and are joining the party that makes all the old left wing promises.
The problem is that the economy and trade is corporate controlled and the corporations are globalized, ruled by international agreements and arbitration. Corporations have the freedom to use the cheapest labor they can find in the Eurozone: usually immigrants. They have no duty towards or loyalty to workers in any particular nation. Banks are even less "national" and a huge load of debt is grinding the European economies down and driving the austerity that is crushing workers. There's nothing left wing about this neoliberal corporatism and the hands of a socialist government will be tied by the common currency and the financial structure of the Eurozone. They will fail their constituency.
Xenophobia, racism, nationalism and all that are symptoms of an economic disease: corporatist control of economies isn't compatible with Democracy, never has been.
The problem is that the economy and trade is corporate controlled and the corporations are globalized, ruled by international agreements and arbitration. Corporations have the freedom to use the cheapest labor they can find in the Eurozone: usually immigrants. They have no duty towards or loyalty to workers in any particular nation. Banks are even less "national" and a huge load of debt is grinding the European economies down and driving the austerity that is crushing workers. There's nothing left wing about this neoliberal corporatism and the hands of a socialist government will be tied by the common currency and the financial structure of the Eurozone. They will fail their constituency.
Xenophobia, racism, nationalism and all that are symptoms of an economic disease: corporatist control of economies isn't compatible with Democracy, never has been.
18
Sadly, you totally nailed this. This is the best summary I've read of the problem. We are in for a terrible decade or two, I'm afraid.
2
In governance, one has either a strong core or dispersed power with limits on government for the greater good in exchange for more personal and economic liberties. If one is not careful, one power becomes too concentrated, or the other, it spins out of control. The populism we see here is a sense of being out of control. The task of governance, therefore, is to optimize these countervailing forces. Unfortunately, the weakness of central government leave plutocracy, money in control of the institutional framework, including its primary voice.
2
it's a bit of an oxymoron talking about the american left. it's been unworthy of the name for quite some time. it'd be on the right in most other western democracies.
8
why, exactly?
if you followed politics in other western democracies, you wouldn't have to ask. in obama's first term, for example, he was against gay marriage. he believes in capital punishment and, by the standards of other democracies--tho not in the usa--he wore religion on his sleeve. the usa came very late to gays in the military and dozens of other countries have had female presidents or prime ministers. finally, unions are weaker and fewer members per capita.....
4
The demise of the idea of governing for the Public Good (a quaint idea these days) and courting voters has been replaced by working for donors and using donor money for propaganda to influence voters.
1
The National Front, like Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany have found fertile ground in the rural areas, where both unemployment and resentment of foreigners runs high.
This is not only a frightening trend in these two countries, but one that can be found across all Europe -- and now, the United States as well.
Strange times lie before us.
This is not only a frightening trend in these two countries, but one that can be found across all Europe -- and now, the United States as well.
Strange times lie before us.
6
Populism is neither right nor left to those without jobs, or paid lesser wages than their needs suggest--it is just a reaction to their own personal economy. When people born in a community have to compete in a race to the bottom for a job, even if the wages mean that government subsidies make up a good portion of their income, they have lost that race. Who to blame but those imported to make their job search an international competition? Then, that their own taxes provide health care and public assistance to these newcomers, is a reason to conclude that global minded politicans do not act for them but against them. I,m' not surprised.
5
Bait and switch, it worked for Trump. Pandered to workers then filled his cabinet with Goldman Sach's executives and Conservatives hostile to labor. I do hope the French are following American's dance with the right.
3
The economy is in the same place it's always been: a constant struggle between the value of labor and the rights of ownership. The Greeks recognized this 2500 years ago and nothing essential about it has changed since. The scale of things has changed but the fundamental conundrum has not. Economies seem to seesaw between socialism and capitalism until one extreme 'wins' and they become unreasonable places to live.
We need a concept to improve this conversation and the subsequent action, so let me offer one: one type of wealth is good and useful, and should be celebrated and supported. The other type of wealth needs to be vilified and regulated out of existence.
Good wealth is what you get when you create something good and useful, and people willing give your their money to get it, and in the process you pay to clean up any problems such a pollution.
Bad wealth is created when you manipulate money or capture control of necessities through monopoly, or when you create a lot of pollution or other harm as you create things to sell.
I know this is simplistic, but it is a framework for discussion, not a law unto itself.
We need a concept to improve this conversation and the subsequent action, so let me offer one: one type of wealth is good and useful, and should be celebrated and supported. The other type of wealth needs to be vilified and regulated out of existence.
Good wealth is what you get when you create something good and useful, and people willing give your their money to get it, and in the process you pay to clean up any problems such a pollution.
Bad wealth is created when you manipulate money or capture control of necessities through monopoly, or when you create a lot of pollution or other harm as you create things to sell.
I know this is simplistic, but it is a framework for discussion, not a law unto itself.
11
France's malaise is typical of those who were born after the war and all thought that France is indebted to them and is under an obligation to go on providing them the good life whether you work or DO NOT WORK.
Few among them realize that the bounty that provided that feeling is French Colonialism , American anti communist , not pro democracy, aid , the Marshall plan, and the neocolonialist /imperialist alliance !
If any party is indebted to another it would be France etc is indebted to its colonies and colonialist past which, through pillage and exploitation of others, provided the French, English, Dutch , and, indirectly, Scandinavia with the super medical care, free education, social services etc it provided its citizens with!
That these facts underlay the renaissance , the resurgence and emboldening of the Right is easily traceable to its historic , colonialist then imperialist past which led some to believe that West Europe, and the USA, owes its people the quasi free services, except , proportionally , for super rich America, it provided its people's with in the honey moon ,after WW II , era !
The West flourished and achieved a semi utopia through colonialism that metastized into USA led imperialism with the clear racism of the FN !
Few among them realize that the bounty that provided that feeling is French Colonialism , American anti communist , not pro democracy, aid , the Marshall plan, and the neocolonialist /imperialist alliance !
If any party is indebted to another it would be France etc is indebted to its colonies and colonialist past which, through pillage and exploitation of others, provided the French, English, Dutch , and, indirectly, Scandinavia with the super medical care, free education, social services etc it provided its citizens with!
That these facts underlay the renaissance , the resurgence and emboldening of the Right is easily traceable to its historic , colonialist then imperialist past which led some to believe that West Europe, and the USA, owes its people the quasi free services, except , proportionally , for super rich America, it provided its people's with in the honey moon ,after WW II , era !
The West flourished and achieved a semi utopia through colonialism that metastized into USA led imperialism with the clear racism of the FN !
1
You're playing an old record, Mr. Ibrahim, the title of which is the West's wealth is illegitimate. At the end of WWII, most of Europe looked like Syria; the Europeans built affluent, peaceful societies from the ruins. Try to emulate them.
What do they say, when america sneezes, the world catches the flu or something like that.
Whether Mr. Trump was elected with a majority or not, he won.
And if history is any guide, the world will follow ametica either for good or bad.
Opinions expressed here with French workers could have come out of exit polls of that "solid blue wall" states - which mightily crumbled in a horrendous one get go.
The French are about to get " how could they?" When they will elect mademoiselle Le Pen.
And then followed by ousting of Fraulein Angela.
And then, they will follow immigration lock down that has started here st home.
If 2016 was politically interesting at least for us, 2017 is going to shake Europe to its croissants and cheese.
Whether Mr. Trump was elected with a majority or not, he won.
And if history is any guide, the world will follow ametica either for good or bad.
Opinions expressed here with French workers could have come out of exit polls of that "solid blue wall" states - which mightily crumbled in a horrendous one get go.
The French are about to get " how could they?" When they will elect mademoiselle Le Pen.
And then followed by ousting of Fraulein Angela.
And then, they will follow immigration lock down that has started here st home.
If 2016 was politically interesting at least for us, 2017 is going to shake Europe to its croissants and cheese.
2
Everyone wants to blame the other party for Western de-industrialization. The simple fact is it's too expensive to make stuff in the West when you're competing in a global economy. The invisible hand moves manufacturing to where it can be done effectively and economically to produce competitively priced goods -- Mexico, Malaysia, Honduras, etc. It may be possible to pump the brakes a little on the speed of change, but immutable market forces are the true drivers. We should be (re)training our citizens--young and old--for jobs in a knowledge-based economy, not arguing whose party really loves blue color workers.
7
I hear this sentiment from the left all the time. The only reason we are in a "global" economy is because we allow in foreign good with little or no tariff. And as far as preparing the young and old for a knowledge based economy, what makes you think that they can't produce those knowledge based services at a far lower price in foreign countries than in the USA? Do you think we have a monopoly on smarts?
2
Immutable market forces? A fairy tale. Once the players get big enough they don't tolerate real competition. Haven't you noticed that anything really good is soon divvied up among a few big players who buy up potential rivals? We have crony capitalism that is already global crony capitalism with it's global arbitration courts, etc.
You are dead right about knowledge based jobs.
You are dead right about knowledge based jobs.
2
"The suspicion that immigrants are taking something they don’t deserve, the conviction that native citizens are being supplanted by foreigners, the growing sense that mainstream political parties serve the interests of privileged global elites rather than working people — all of this will be perfectly familiar to Americans who just lived through the last election."
It is not immigrants taking something they don't deserve. Now we will witness first hand political elite billionaires who will thrive as the interests of the working class are ignored. Drain the swamp, trump said. trump makes fools of his supporters daily.
It is not immigrants taking something they don't deserve. Now we will witness first hand political elite billionaires who will thrive as the interests of the working class are ignored. Drain the swamp, trump said. trump makes fools of his supporters daily.
5
Great piece on France's pre-election mood filled by
the voter's rejection of any type of establishments or systems
from politics to medias. There is a french paradox though when
it come to pick an elected officials locally or nationally.
As much as they demand accountability and honesty from them
they sometimes endlessly re-elect the corrupt ones like if
they were beloved familiar pets blessed by some mysterious
immunity. In the case of Hollande as soon as he took the decision to
not seek a second mandate his favorables numbers tripled the
following week defying any kind of logic.
This election is going to be a very interesting one to watch.
The configuration is quite unprecedented with a wide field
of candidates competing to get their entry ticket to the second
and decisive second turn to face a very conservative right wing
opponent. On the independent side of the political spectrum it
is very unusual to see an unexpected center- left/right young
political star rising so quickly and an old gifted orator romanticising
socialism both garnering quite impressive poll numbers for
such small candidates. If you add the mix the not yet declared
Socialist nominee from the primary who might likely be a rather
fresh face running on a platform all about a new society based
on a socio-ecological transition for a fair and equitable future
and Le Pen for the populist National Front, the race is going to
extremely competitive.
the voter's rejection of any type of establishments or systems
from politics to medias. There is a french paradox though when
it come to pick an elected officials locally or nationally.
As much as they demand accountability and honesty from them
they sometimes endlessly re-elect the corrupt ones like if
they were beloved familiar pets blessed by some mysterious
immunity. In the case of Hollande as soon as he took the decision to
not seek a second mandate his favorables numbers tripled the
following week defying any kind of logic.
This election is going to be a very interesting one to watch.
The configuration is quite unprecedented with a wide field
of candidates competing to get their entry ticket to the second
and decisive second turn to face a very conservative right wing
opponent. On the independent side of the political spectrum it
is very unusual to see an unexpected center- left/right young
political star rising so quickly and an old gifted orator romanticising
socialism both garnering quite impressive poll numbers for
such small candidates. If you add the mix the not yet declared
Socialist nominee from the primary who might likely be a rather
fresh face running on a platform all about a new society based
on a socio-ecological transition for a fair and equitable future
and Le Pen for the populist National Front, the race is going to
extremely competitive.
4
The elephant in the room is that the majority of underemployed blue collar workers are very low-skilled and have not adapted to technology or the mathematical needs that are required for more advanced blue collar jobs which are largely going unfilled. Neither political party wants to state this, for obvious reasons, but it will be nearly impossible to help most of these people even if we can bring some manufacturing back.
It's ironic that it is often progressives and liberals along the coasts who support local artisans, sustainable local farmers and generally-speaking, local based economies...if someone could just figure out how to get that message to these struggling cities and end the brainwashing coming at them from talk radio, Fox News and the Right, they might have a shot at survival. Assuming they would listen, of course.
It's ironic that it is often progressives and liberals along the coasts who support local artisans, sustainable local farmers and generally-speaking, local based economies...if someone could just figure out how to get that message to these struggling cities and end the brainwashing coming at them from talk radio, Fox News and the Right, they might have a shot at survival. Assuming they would listen, of course.
6
Yes, why doesn't Trump and his media outlets tell this component of the issue as it is? Why did he assert during his campaign stops that he loved the uneducated, thus, validating their condition and, indeed, suggesting that he even found ignorance cute? Why doesn't American society in general acknowledge that huge swaths of their populace are generally and specifically uneducated and unskilled for the knowledge economy? The high degree of ignorance in America is internationally known, yet Americans tolerate it and protect it there. American high school students place very low (rank 25 or so) on international tests of maths, science and language competency.
In an interview with John Berman of CNN last fall, the interviewee referred to a conflict he had had with a Trumpet ignoramus; this visibly offended Berman. But why can a spade not be called a spade in regard to education and the smarts. Why can this feature of American society not be told as it is? Why are so-called eggheads so despised in this country?
In an interview with John Berman of CNN last fall, the interviewee referred to a conflict he had had with a Trumpet ignoramus; this visibly offended Berman. But why can a spade not be called a spade in regard to education and the smarts. Why can this feature of American society not be told as it is? Why are so-called eggheads so despised in this country?
1
I'm astonished that the writer is unaware that, like NATO and the EU, there is no expulsion mechanism for the eurozone. The pressure which was applied to Greece was that without reform there would be no new loans. Greece's only leverage was to threaten to leave the eurozone and default on its debt.
A defining feature of the left -- you're forbidden to say what I say: "When the union leader read a National Front leaflet to his fellow union members without telling them what party it was from, the union members all approved of the message. ... Sailliot, a committed Communist, referred to the National Front’s leaders as “impostors” — a word that C.G.T. leaders use when describing the party’s effort to appeal to their rank and file — and dismissed the notion that the far-right party, if elevated to power, would keep its leftist-sounding promises. But he could not deny the political effectiveness of the message."
2
Allow the economy to fail great masses of people for long enough and, don't worry, the great masses will fix the problem themselves.
Maybe it won't be the most productive solution in the long run, but when you've got nothing left to lose, why not vote for Trump?
Maybe things would be better if there was a pitchfork app.
Maybe it won't be the most productive solution in the long run, but when you've got nothing left to lose, why not vote for Trump?
Maybe things would be better if there was a pitchfork app.
1
Most business owners and managers, including manufacturers, would rather produce goods and services locally, not offshore. In my particular case, that is a strongly held desire; and I'm proud to provide American employees with middle class (and upper middle class) manufacturing jobs, more than one thousand.
Yet, I must say, President Obama's policies have been poison to American manufacturers: EPA, OSHA, DOE, etc., etc., a never-ending tidal wave of rules and regulations, assuming that private sector managers are evil wrongdoers. Enough. More than enough. That is why I held my nose, and voted for Donald Trump.
Some intelligent person opined that capitalists are like shy animals; they will flee from where they are abused, and flock to where they are well-treated. No one I know wants to live in India. Simply understand, please please don't make life miserable for domestic manufacturers and expect them to simply absorb the punishment and vote for the tormentors.
Yet, I must say, President Obama's policies have been poison to American manufacturers: EPA, OSHA, DOE, etc., etc., a never-ending tidal wave of rules and regulations, assuming that private sector managers are evil wrongdoers. Enough. More than enough. That is why I held my nose, and voted for Donald Trump.
Some intelligent person opined that capitalists are like shy animals; they will flee from where they are abused, and flock to where they are well-treated. No one I know wants to live in India. Simply understand, please please don't make life miserable for domestic manufacturers and expect them to simply absorb the punishment and vote for the tormentors.
4
Thanks, Mr. Angelos, for a fine analysis of the human, social and political contradictions that face today's European workers. Only an economic ignoramus would insist that some kind of adjustment is not in order. Only an amoral illiterate would suggest that nothing can/should be done to help those now on the losing side of things. Love how the French try to parse such things while still claiming a place at the table of the top.
1
Extreme elitism is not sustainable and not consistent with the values of the traditional left. Unfortunately, the political offices and supporters of the traditional left-leaning parties have become populated by oligarchs and intellectual elitists. These are people who are extremely hypocritical and secretly and sometimes overtly disdain those who "have not." Many travel much more than anyone of more humble means could, in the process expending tremendous amounts of greenhouse gases. Yet, they stand in judgement over people who deny climate change is happening. Many live in elite, predominantly white neighborhoods so that their kids can go to the "best" public schools and then continue their lives in an elite, white bubble at the "best" universities. Yet, they denounce anyone who honestly speaks racists thoughts.
I live and believe very deeply in many of these values given ample lip service to by those in the modern "left." I am saddened that beautiful, heroic impulses that characterize the best in humanity have come to be associated with the hypocrisy and arrogance of the oligarchs who have taken over traditionally left parties and the world in general. While I don't like the overt racism and nationalism of the "right" populism, I certainly understand why people are migrating away from the ineffective and/or haughty and clueless members of parties traditionally associated with the left.
I live and believe very deeply in many of these values given ample lip service to by those in the modern "left." I am saddened that beautiful, heroic impulses that characterize the best in humanity have come to be associated with the hypocrisy and arrogance of the oligarchs who have taken over traditionally left parties and the world in general. While I don't like the overt racism and nationalism of the "right" populism, I certainly understand why people are migrating away from the ineffective and/or haughty and clueless members of parties traditionally associated with the left.
6
BY: I will be looking for more of your commentary on this board. I completely agree and feel the same way. I too believe that the impulses of the left are the highest and best ideals of humanity, but that they are pushed by a detached elite that is first separated from any consequence of their ideas and second hypocritical because they do not practice what they preach. I voted for Trump. The world needs this shakeup. The so-called "left" is lost as far as I am concerned.
3
After traveling the world, I find France and the French to "have it all", Democracy, the most beautiful cities and countryside and the best of everything. They will survive.
1
Far left and far right are guilty of the exact same set-up of lies to their voters: externalize and pinpoint the problems to a few readily identifiable culprits, preferably in a position where no counterargument/defense is possible. Present vague, good-sounding solutions to said problems. Villify and brand any sceptics and critics as enemies/part of the problem. Repeat ad nauseam.
3
Excellent reporting. Thank you!
1
That article is a cliché not representative of French people. Only white old men (with no diplomas) are interviewed here. France also has women, graduate, unemployed, young people, atheists, Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc.
It's way too narrow to represent France's opinion.
Also more importantly the 'rust belt' is an American term used to describe an American situation that absolutely does not apply to France. This kind of short cut just helps clichés being alive and doesn't serve the truth.
Maybe an article done by someone living in France and having connections/knowledge of all the levels of society??
It's way too narrow to represent France's opinion.
Also more importantly the 'rust belt' is an American term used to describe an American situation that absolutely does not apply to France. This kind of short cut just helps clichés being alive and doesn't serve the truth.
Maybe an article done by someone living in France and having connections/knowledge of all the levels of society??
1
James Angelos, all this reminds me of what happened in Germany in Late 1920s and early 1930s - the Nazis appealed to voters by saying their message was neither right-wing like the monarchists, nor left-wing like the Communists or Socialists. They tried to pass themselves off as a middle-of-the-road political movement based on nationalism. My question is: who is going to step forward and engage meaningfully with the majority of the French population, the unskilled workers?
1
The economics of France are already very socialist int terms of taxation and income redistribution, relative to the UK or America. It is not about the failure of economics, but rather the failure of leaders to make the necessary political sacrifices to ensure that radical change can be instituted.
There is no "sweet spot" between capitalism and socialism. A country needs to decide what exactly it wants and is comfortable with. Japan is comfortable with sending its workers into suicide because of overwork, and even desperate attempts by their government and major corporations to enforce better work-life balance haven't brought about much change. Yet, the other side is that Japan is the 3rd largest economy.
France needs to decide. Are they prepared for mass unemployment that comes with sticking to old industries that are trying to modernize through automation? Are they prepared to see mass unemployment because the business environment will become tougher as a result of new regulations making it harder to compete?
If that is too extreme, looking at fellow Western nations like Greece, Spain, and Italy will be examples of what happen in a weak business environment.
If France is to join the US, UK, Germany, and Japan is having a good economy, it needs to recognize that having people dependent on the government for employment or coddling them from the hardships of the global economy will not work in the long-run.
There is no "sweet spot" between capitalism and socialism. A country needs to decide what exactly it wants and is comfortable with. Japan is comfortable with sending its workers into suicide because of overwork, and even desperate attempts by their government and major corporations to enforce better work-life balance haven't brought about much change. Yet, the other side is that Japan is the 3rd largest economy.
France needs to decide. Are they prepared for mass unemployment that comes with sticking to old industries that are trying to modernize through automation? Are they prepared to see mass unemployment because the business environment will become tougher as a result of new regulations making it harder to compete?
If that is too extreme, looking at fellow Western nations like Greece, Spain, and Italy will be examples of what happen in a weak business environment.
If France is to join the US, UK, Germany, and Japan is having a good economy, it needs to recognize that having people dependent on the government for employment or coddling them from the hardships of the global economy will not work in the long-run.
1
2 days ago, the French Evening News, had an eye opening report how an American Multinational, Whirlpool, is turning former communist and socialist voters into nationalistic voters
http://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/emploi/plans-sociaux/amiens-l-usine-...
You don't have to know French to read the faces of the to be fired workers. And to conclude, that they will vote now Le Pen.
Nor to read the graphic that labour costs are Euro 38 / hr in France and Euro 7.7 /hr in Poland.
For economists, that is a good thing. The gain of workers in Poland outweighs the loss in France. That is the argument of Krugman, "In Praise of Cheap Labor", who calls opposition of the losers, "moral outrage" and "having not thought things trough"
What the economic elite overlooked, was their advice would lead to the destruction of the liberal society as we knew it in the countries that lost - that is what we are seeing now.
http://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/emploi/plans-sociaux/amiens-l-usine-...
You don't have to know French to read the faces of the to be fired workers. And to conclude, that they will vote now Le Pen.
Nor to read the graphic that labour costs are Euro 38 / hr in France and Euro 7.7 /hr in Poland.
For economists, that is a good thing. The gain of workers in Poland outweighs the loss in France. That is the argument of Krugman, "In Praise of Cheap Labor", who calls opposition of the losers, "moral outrage" and "having not thought things trough"
What the economic elite overlooked, was their advice would lead to the destruction of the liberal society as we knew it in the countries that lost - that is what we are seeing now.
6
<< Dassonville thought the whole left-right spectrum was finished anyway. “For me,” he said, “it has no value.” >>
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What if individual candidates could run independently of parties? By not being bound to any one party's short list of simplistic, vague, and overly broad or unrealistically narrow positions, a candidate could articulate a list of detailed positions tailored to his or her own constituency. Voters would be voting for a person, rather than for a party.
We've become so accustomed to the existence of political parties that we regard them as natural, whereas they're merely one expedient that's become frozen in place by custom.
-
What if individual candidates could run independently of parties? By not being bound to any one party's short list of simplistic, vague, and overly broad or unrealistically narrow positions, a candidate could articulate a list of detailed positions tailored to his or her own constituency. Voters would be voting for a person, rather than for a party.
We've become so accustomed to the existence of political parties that we regard them as natural, whereas they're merely one expedient that's become frozen in place by custom.
5
And it's back to to Vichy...Populism is a euphemism for nationalism. Neoliberalism left the building a long time ago. The neo-populist leaders today are vicious pieces of work.
1
Immigration is a common theme of concern among the developed world's working labor force. It is disingenuous to say that opposing immigration at a time of job scarcity is xenophobic. It is reasonable to expect the government to expand the job market enough to satisfy the needs of its citizens before those of new arrivals. As for the future, reoccurring natural disasters due to accelerated climate change will make rapid economic dislocation inevitable. This global problem cannot be dealt with by allowing massive immigration into a foreign culture and language.
4
We are forgetting the past, hence the present rhymes with the past. As we sink into a feudal economic state, a feudal political structure will follow. The rise of political democracies was a consequence of the "rise of the bourgeoisie" in society. The bourgeoisie was a large (super-majority) middle class. The Revolutions, and the consequent "societal rules", e.g., Constitutions, were the creation of political governance compatible with economic reality.
What law of economics predicates that we put the automation of production ahead of the well-being of society? A society is, after all, among other things, a structure for the distribution of work, wealth, and political power. "Free market" Capitalism is, in fact, a feudal form of economic structure. The weapons of modern warfare are too great for any "developed" world nation-state to survive a civil war. Hence we arrive at the wisdom of Ghandi, M.L. King, and others - if we are to prosper, we must effect a non-violent economic revolution, and prevent, at the same time, our own mass suicide via ecosystem destruction and climate change.
What law of economics predicates that we put the automation of production ahead of the well-being of society? A society is, after all, among other things, a structure for the distribution of work, wealth, and political power. "Free market" Capitalism is, in fact, a feudal form of economic structure. The weapons of modern warfare are too great for any "developed" world nation-state to survive a civil war. Hence we arrive at the wisdom of Ghandi, M.L. King, and others - if we are to prosper, we must effect a non-violent economic revolution, and prevent, at the same time, our own mass suicide via ecosystem destruction and climate change.
15
You lost us at feudal.
The pursuit of profit is the BASIS of the poor worker having his or her BEST chance to improve the lives of their family by the labor of their hands.
Capitalism is the only economically sustainable system where people can remain free of extravagant tyrants and social tinkering.
You would benefit from reading actual economics and not the hate-the-rich training you sere once fooled with. Stay curious.
The pursuit of profit is the BASIS of the poor worker having his or her BEST chance to improve the lives of their family by the labor of their hands.
Capitalism is the only economically sustainable system where people can remain free of extravagant tyrants and social tinkering.
You would benefit from reading actual economics and not the hate-the-rich training you sere once fooled with. Stay curious.
2
The issue for workers is a living wage. At anything less the worker is dependent on charity or becomes a slave to debt like a feudal serf.
Capitalism comes in many forms. Under the New Deal Labor and Capital both had power and fought an endless tug of war. We had a living wage economy with workers producing patents that improved their employers businesses (when hired you sign over the right to patent what you invent). The US South was a capitalist slave economy for a long time. English Capitalist companies extracted wealth from colonies and exploited labor there like feudal masters. Neoliberal capitalism in Europe and the US upset the balance between workers and capital. Europe and the US have safety-net economies and the safety nets are under attack, which will produce something closer to a feudal economy.
Do you see the connection to feudalism? Workers much prefer living wage economies.
Stay curious.
Capitalism comes in many forms. Under the New Deal Labor and Capital both had power and fought an endless tug of war. We had a living wage economy with workers producing patents that improved their employers businesses (when hired you sign over the right to patent what you invent). The US South was a capitalist slave economy for a long time. English Capitalist companies extracted wealth from colonies and exploited labor there like feudal masters. Neoliberal capitalism in Europe and the US upset the balance between workers and capital. Europe and the US have safety-net economies and the safety nets are under attack, which will produce something closer to a feudal economy.
Do you see the connection to feudalism? Workers much prefer living wage economies.
Stay curious.
Why maintain a functioning economy when you can have a few masters of the universe while the rest of us give each other sponge baths and uber rides?
15
Each person HAS that chance to climb that ladder of success. This decade's millionaires are nearly all the children of very ordinary people.
1
Very ordinary people who had no trouble getting a job when jobs paid a living wage and college tuition was reasonable. Today a lot of potential millionaires are loaded with student debt and their degrees are no guarantee of getting a good job. They will need a lot more luck than their parents needed to fulfill their potential. It's much harder to put all your energy into a new invention when you work 8 hours or more a day.
Much of what's involved here reflects a system that is organized based on financial constraints. We will undoubtedly advance to a more rational and effective system that is driven by substantive concerns such as labor and expertise, equipment, infrastructure, resources, etc. The path in this direction is not yet clear although obviously our current system will not continue indefinitely. Until then financial analysis will determine what we can and cannot do despite the obvious fact that it must be the substantive factors that are at play. Financial organization is ultimately procedural rather than substantive despite its current predominance. Buildings are not built, nor music performed nor patients treated by numbers on spreadsheets but rather by hands and tools and instruments etc.
2
Capitalism is mostly about economics and the efficient creation of wealth. Capital chasing ever cheaper labor is what moved jobs out of America and Europe with gross income inequality the result. The middle class didn't like this as their jobs went off-shore.
Big government tried to solve the income inequality issue "a lot" in Europe and to a lesser extent in the US by a preponderance of direct and indirect government handouts by taxing the elites.
People are voting that they don't like the government handout approach and would rather "just have a good job."
Economics, as a science, is clearly falling short as a metric for describing how a society is doing. Money doesn't matter as much if everyone in the city has a job and can join the local soccer club. The opiod crisis, and to some degree the increase in murders, are indicators of how "Economics has failed as a science to describe the state of a society."
It's an honest question to ask: Is it better to create more wealth in the hands of the few, that then needs to be redistributed, or to allow wealth to be better distributed, even if less is created?
The British faced this question and their answer was the Magna Carta in 1215.
Big government tried to solve the income inequality issue "a lot" in Europe and to a lesser extent in the US by a preponderance of direct and indirect government handouts by taxing the elites.
People are voting that they don't like the government handout approach and would rather "just have a good job."
Economics, as a science, is clearly falling short as a metric for describing how a society is doing. Money doesn't matter as much if everyone in the city has a job and can join the local soccer club. The opiod crisis, and to some degree the increase in murders, are indicators of how "Economics has failed as a science to describe the state of a society."
It's an honest question to ask: Is it better to create more wealth in the hands of the few, that then needs to be redistributed, or to allow wealth to be better distributed, even if less is created?
The British faced this question and their answer was the Magna Carta in 1215.
43
The opiod crisis, and to some degree the increase in murders, are indicators of how "Economics has failed as a science to describe the state of a society."*
*Citation needed.
*Citation needed.
3
Heaven forbid a government deciding to let the economy suffer simply in order to make the non-producers feel better about themselves. That is a recipe for disaster as dumb as the Soviet experiment.
2
The idea that everyone should have a job simply does not work anymore. Touch labor is too expensive in the US when compared to foreign countries. Automation of new factories has greatly reduced the need for unskilled labor.
Dr. Reich (Sec of Labor) in the Clinton administration was at a ribbon cutting ceremony. He asked for a tour of the plant. It was automated, only programmers and maintenance people were needed.
I have read in several papers that 4.5% unemployment is the best we can do unless Washington make programs like the Conservation Corps back in the '30. We can also look to great infrastructure campaigns but they will be available until Congress loses interest.
As long as Capitalist control the US, unemployment is their fault but I believe they like it that way.
Dr. Reich (Sec of Labor) in the Clinton administration was at a ribbon cutting ceremony. He asked for a tour of the plant. It was automated, only programmers and maintenance people were needed.
I have read in several papers that 4.5% unemployment is the best we can do unless Washington make programs like the Conservation Corps back in the '30. We can also look to great infrastructure campaigns but they will be available until Congress loses interest.
As long as Capitalist control the US, unemployment is their fault but I believe they like it that way.
American liberals have been saying for 20 years they want to move the country to a system similar to Europe's social democratic countries. This leads to government laws unhinged from economic reality, such as the early retirement polices in much of Europe, or the $15 minimum wage movement in some U.S. states. Chicago and California have public pension programs that are totally incapable of being fulfilled.
This country's founders wrote a constitution that recognized human nature for what it is. People work hard for only themselves and their families, except in wartime. Systems that require tax rates of 60 percent and above to sustain social programs inherently fail over time, as the producers strive to avoid taxes or move to other countries.
American liberals, who like to view our founding document as a "living Constitution" that con be interpreted according to modern needs fail to understand the genius of the founders. They understood human nature, which does not change. They set up the Constitution to PREVENT a temporary majority of voters to completely redo the American system, and their main aim was to restrict the power of the federal government, which of course has grown to grosteque proportions they never could've accepted.
It is why the standard joke< "We from the federal government and we're here to help you," is considered a dark joke across much of America, especially the Trump voters, but head hakes only from liberals.
This country's founders wrote a constitution that recognized human nature for what it is. People work hard for only themselves and their families, except in wartime. Systems that require tax rates of 60 percent and above to sustain social programs inherently fail over time, as the producers strive to avoid taxes or move to other countries.
American liberals, who like to view our founding document as a "living Constitution" that con be interpreted according to modern needs fail to understand the genius of the founders. They understood human nature, which does not change. They set up the Constitution to PREVENT a temporary majority of voters to completely redo the American system, and their main aim was to restrict the power of the federal government, which of course has grown to grosteque proportions they never could've accepted.
It is why the standard joke< "We from the federal government and we're here to help you," is considered a dark joke across much of America, especially the Trump voters, but head hakes only from liberals.
27
What a disappointing, limited, dystopian view of the US you have. Thankfully, the likes of FDR and LBJ were bigger than that.
Abridged translation of your comment: "America was founded on the rich keeping their money forever. Let the poor die. I hate liberals because Republicans tell me to hate anything that threatens Koch wealth."
I live in a city with a $15 minimum wage, and I disagree that the policy is unhinged from economic realities. I actually think the wage isn't even high enough. Minimum wage workers here, even with $15, can't afford to live in the neighborhoods where they work. They can't afford to feed their families without govt assistance. We the taxpayers of America are subsidizing business' decisions to under-pay workers. We need to assess economic realities from the point of view of the worker- not the employer.
1
The world is changing in many ways. We are moving from industrial societies to service and technology societies, from oil based economies to renewable and alternative energy economies, from nations to global communities, fundamentalist religions to acceptance of morality without religious basis or morality of a mixture of religions, changes in how we educate and eat, and have families and a hundred other changes. Many people have difficulty accepting change. There is also the problem of competition which compounds the difficulties. For example, Trump's nonsense about his America First proclamation. As an American, I know we are 17th in education, 37th in healthcare, and last in wealth inequality. As far as I know the U.S. is first only in military strength and I am appalled by that. Many of us are appalled by that. We also have a problem of greed and ignorance here. Many of us are appalled by that as well. Millions of women, men, and children are appalled by that here in the U.S. I saw it this past weekend with our peaceful protests. I see it everyday. If democratic socialism is our best way out of Trump's horrid vision, I welcome it.
15
Rita,
We tried it your way for the last eight years. We ended up with more able-bodied worker out of the labor force than EVER before, families averaging a loss of $5,000 in incomes, and the government borrowing $4 billion a DAY.
ANYTHING is better than that.
''Signed, former Obama voters.''
We tried it your way for the last eight years. We ended up with more able-bodied worker out of the labor force than EVER before, families averaging a loss of $5,000 in incomes, and the government borrowing $4 billion a DAY.
ANYTHING is better than that.
''Signed, former Obama voters.''
7
What we are seeing at this moment though is a movement away from globalism. Britain and now the US and the Nordic countries chucking most of the globalist activities of the last 30 years into the trash. It is the common people who have started this retrenchment and governments which refuse to follow them are being replaced.
Each nation has a culture unique to itself. The US is a culture composed of many cultures distilled into one, Americanism. Over centuries of immigration that has been the goal of America, creating one culture out of many. Our coinage even says so. E Pluribus Unum. We will not tolerate subset cultures living outside of that ideal. The whole purpose of suspending immigration from 1924 to 1974 was to rid the nation of the ghettos especially in the big cities.
There is much opposition against Muslim immigration for that reason. Because it is more of a political system than a religion it suppresses
assimilation using religious texts to instill a fear of a god that will punish them for assimilating in any fashion. Dress becomes not an expression of religious devotion and is an outward declaration.
The English, French and now the Nordics have only recently become aware of the strangers in their midst. The massive influx started by Germany with too many to assimilate at one time if any has turned off their desire to be a neighbor to one of preservation. The US is now their as well.
You're welcome to come here but not if you won't become one of us.
Each nation has a culture unique to itself. The US is a culture composed of many cultures distilled into one, Americanism. Over centuries of immigration that has been the goal of America, creating one culture out of many. Our coinage even says so. E Pluribus Unum. We will not tolerate subset cultures living outside of that ideal. The whole purpose of suspending immigration from 1924 to 1974 was to rid the nation of the ghettos especially in the big cities.
There is much opposition against Muslim immigration for that reason. Because it is more of a political system than a religion it suppresses
assimilation using religious texts to instill a fear of a god that will punish them for assimilating in any fashion. Dress becomes not an expression of religious devotion and is an outward declaration.
The English, French and now the Nordics have only recently become aware of the strangers in their midst. The massive influx started by Germany with too many to assimilate at one time if any has turned off their desire to be a neighbor to one of preservation. The US is now their as well.
You're welcome to come here but not if you won't become one of us.
1
Excellent piece, very informative. Thanks!
6
A lot of the Leftists are kooks and their Utopian ideas have resulted in fewer jobs and lots of social acrimony. More than anything the French take pride in being French and abhor French on French confrontation.
The farmers, laborers, and middle class haven't gained a penny in prosperity. They have run out of options. So they are doing a Trump in the name of Marine Le Pen with one critical difference Trump is a dope.
The farmers, laborers, and middle class haven't gained a penny in prosperity. They have run out of options. So they are doing a Trump in the name of Marine Le Pen with one critical difference Trump is a dope.
8
Colorful, interesting, but shallow. What happened to the Left? The modern world happened. And it happened to the Right and the Center. Just look at what comes out of the White House! Suppression of knowledge and research findings. Insistence on alternative facts. Orwellian. Thing is, the Left used to have a target--the Right. Now the Right is melting like a plastic doll in a fire. Where's the target? Dig into the hard core of the melting plastic and we find hard-core superstition of the economic and religious kind.
8
"Le Pen’s economic rhetoric, in fact, is often hard to differentiate from positions normally held by the far left."
And Dennis Kucinich, the real Progressive, was on Fox recently defending Trump.
The elite have pushed their luck and the messes will no longer put up with it.
Growth is a funny term. If Growth is achieved by transferring half of public wealth to China and the other half into the pockets of the oligarchs, it's useless. We need to reinterpret Economic Growth in ways that measures what's good for the public at large. .
And Dennis Kucinich, the real Progressive, was on Fox recently defending Trump.
The elite have pushed their luck and the messes will no longer put up with it.
Growth is a funny term. If Growth is achieved by transferring half of public wealth to China and the other half into the pockets of the oligarchs, it's useless. We need to reinterpret Economic Growth in ways that measures what's good for the public at large. .
21
Socialism combined with Responsible Capitalism can work very well. The Scandinavian countries are exceptional on almost every standard except for their unrestrained immigration policy which is causing serious social problems. Neoliberal Socialism combined with Unrestrained Capitalism practiced by Hollande, Clinton, Merkel, Obama and Cameron, for example is a disaster to to Western World. Soon, someone will get the bright idea of killing the billionaires and the elites that are really and truly killing them and then the serious trouble will begin.
5
"soon, someone will get the bright idea of killing the billionaires and the elites that are really and truly killing them and then the serious trouble will begin"
Hardly. The billionaires will hire the right wing to protect them. They're armed and ready. All they need is an agreed upon price and contract. You'll be surprised at how cheaply they can be bought for because it's only a supplement to their hatred of the Left.
Hardly. The billionaires will hire the right wing to protect them. They're armed and ready. All they need is an agreed upon price and contract. You'll be surprised at how cheaply they can be bought for because it's only a supplement to their hatred of the Left.
1
What do French working-class women think? We can't tell from this article.
18
They think they should move elsewhere
The Social Democratic Welfare State Model makes for great reading, something for everyone. Western Democracies have done a good job of marketing the plan, especially when debt is not an issue . Debt planned to be paid down the line when GDP increases increasing tax revenue for the state. Sounds viable. Problem is when one does the math the model is not sustainable. France however in my experience will stick with in.
6
The ongoing radicalism and idiocy of Trump is big news in Europe and terrible news for Le Pen. Keep it up donald, you're doing the world a favor. The center-right parties coexist as an Electoral Front, and they can accept help from the Left to keep the FN from power. At least, from taking the Presidential Palace. Europeans also know who Putin is and who his pal is in Washington. This article is a bit misleading. French urban mainstreamers understand that French communism is as archaic as the towns it still dominates. Demonstrations are reactive tests of strength more than expressions of popular anger. Fascism may be trying to be populist, as it is in America, but now and then it shows its fanaticism -- as when FN marched against gay marriage alongside religious fanatics.
6
A constant feature of economic news from Europe is the soul-crushing austerity. Take away people's hope and, of course, things tend to get ugly.
Thank the European bankers and their politicians.
Thank the European bankers and their politicians.
5
U.S. Presidents have reduced gov't spending and seen the national economy improve quickly due to the increase on money in circulation. They say now that this was how Truman finally ended the Great Depression. It worked for Harding, too.
What a strange economics textbook you are reading.
Governments spend money. That's why conservatives get their knickers in a twist about government. So how would reducing government spending increase the amount of money in circulation?
Oh, right.
By reducing spending, the government could reduce taxes on the wealthy, who could then put cash into more productive uses than educating children, building highways, and conducting basic research. Like parking money in the stock market and real estate, running up asset prices and creating market bubbles. Maybe they could bet on tulip bulb futures, a historically proven good idea.
There's always art! Think of all the workers employed when one billionaire sells an overpriced painting to another for 200 million dollars.
Serious eye roll.
Governments spend money. That's why conservatives get their knickers in a twist about government. So how would reducing government spending increase the amount of money in circulation?
Oh, right.
By reducing spending, the government could reduce taxes on the wealthy, who could then put cash into more productive uses than educating children, building highways, and conducting basic research. Like parking money in the stock market and real estate, running up asset prices and creating market bubbles. Maybe they could bet on tulip bulb futures, a historically proven good idea.
There's always art! Think of all the workers employed when one billionaire sells an overpriced painting to another for 200 million dollars.
Serious eye roll.
These so-called 'leaders'; Trump, Le Pen, Abe in Japan, Trudeau, Putin, Erdogan and the rest ... are drowning men and women, grasping at straws. They cannot fix anything because they do not address the real problem.
Centuries of 'success' using industrial means has stripped the resource base, what little remains is prohibitively expensive to extract. Re-configuring & packaging non-renewable capital and speeding it to the landfills, the ocean or overhead into the atmosphere is a proven failure.
Events are now driving outcomes which are limited: one is voluntary, stringent resource conservation and an economy built around localization, highly skilled labor and craft methods, a sort of benign medievalism. The other is 'Conservation by Other Means™' which occurs when the resources are gone, economies crash and the 'population reduction' takes place. This last outcome is already visible: in Syria, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Greece, South Sudan, Libya. Northern France, your town. Keep in mind, depletion is permanent, there is recovery of that which is lost forever.
The politicians, business managers, economists and media treat the foregoing like a child's game, something to be lightly dismissed as inconsequential. Yet history and Nature never plsy games. The dead factories are warnings not political fulcrums, there is no choice but adapt to a new, zero-consumption regime ... or else.
Centuries of 'success' using industrial means has stripped the resource base, what little remains is prohibitively expensive to extract. Re-configuring & packaging non-renewable capital and speeding it to the landfills, the ocean or overhead into the atmosphere is a proven failure.
Events are now driving outcomes which are limited: one is voluntary, stringent resource conservation and an economy built around localization, highly skilled labor and craft methods, a sort of benign medievalism. The other is 'Conservation by Other Means™' which occurs when the resources are gone, economies crash and the 'population reduction' takes place. This last outcome is already visible: in Syria, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Greece, South Sudan, Libya. Northern France, your town. Keep in mind, depletion is permanent, there is recovery of that which is lost forever.
The politicians, business managers, economists and media treat the foregoing like a child's game, something to be lightly dismissed as inconsequential. Yet history and Nature never plsy games. The dead factories are warnings not political fulcrums, there is no choice but adapt to a new, zero-consumption regime ... or else.
8
Communism was experienced in a global scale in the last few decades and didn't do well. Actually, it was a great fiasco wherever it throve. Let's give room for the next nonstarter.
5
It's the legal and illegal immigration problem, stupid. Losing your nationalist identity has always ran deep and now so more than ever.
15
Hi,
I'm still socialiste (apologise) vote. I must say it's more hard than ever to be social. I feel that every body is looking old time "as a better time". Old time mean ? No internet : the best way to speak together is building the most "me first in society" We have the tool to share effort knowledge and benefit, but, we forgot knowledge, give effort and keep benefit. Soon or late this will build discrimination with all it's deases, to avoid deseas we go to "me first society". Unfortunatly the world is changing with internet more than ever, it's changing faster than ever, there is no return way no more stop button, the only way is to at least imagin with, to (social look) share work and benefit. America First, France First, North Korea First, French socialism first..... are only waste of time for humanity. Time to share is our time or futur time ? We are more linked to each other than ever, what do we do with ?
I'm still socialiste (apologise) vote. I must say it's more hard than ever to be social. I feel that every body is looking old time "as a better time". Old time mean ? No internet : the best way to speak together is building the most "me first in society" We have the tool to share effort knowledge and benefit, but, we forgot knowledge, give effort and keep benefit. Soon or late this will build discrimination with all it's deases, to avoid deseas we go to "me first society". Unfortunatly the world is changing with internet more than ever, it's changing faster than ever, there is no return way no more stop button, the only way is to at least imagin with, to (social look) share work and benefit. America First, France First, North Korea First, French socialism first..... are only waste of time for humanity. Time to share is our time or futur time ? We are more linked to each other than ever, what do we do with ?
17
A more accurate headline might be
What went wrong with globalization ?
France is being de-industrialized at a rate incompatible with the pace of generational change. Praised by economists, notably Krugman, globalization is tearing social fabrics apart.
In 1985 France had 55 million inhabitants and fabricated 4 million cars a year. In 2016 it 65 million and made 2 million.
And it's de-industrialization is continuing. Today's announcement in Le Figaro is that Whirlpool will close it's factory in Amiens next year and move production to Poland.
That tearing of the social fabric is what proponents of globalization overlooked and what is finally appearing in politics
What went wrong with globalization ?
France is being de-industrialized at a rate incompatible with the pace of generational change. Praised by economists, notably Krugman, globalization is tearing social fabrics apart.
In 1985 France had 55 million inhabitants and fabricated 4 million cars a year. In 2016 it 65 million and made 2 million.
And it's de-industrialization is continuing. Today's announcement in Le Figaro is that Whirlpool will close it's factory in Amiens next year and move production to Poland.
That tearing of the social fabric is what proponents of globalization overlooked and what is finally appearing in politics
71
That change and the anger of instability and near poverty is understandable. But the new right wing politics everywhere is about fear. We are all at war now yet it is not socially recognized. France has had the most brutal and ugly terrorist attacks in the last 12 years. 9/11 changed history to a new path and paradigm. Globalization is an obvious inevitability and not everyone has been losers. The wealth in the US is staggering. The world is more complex then our politics allow and raw emotions stick to lies.
6
They did not overlook it. It was completely expected as you impoverish a nation. Impoverishment is just transferring money from the working class to the 1%. Massive immigration drives down wages and the standard of living. Of course people will strike back. But with enough dirty politicians it won't matter. These trade deals are nation busters disguised as trade. They create monopolies and stifle competition. people are on a treadmill with nowhere to go since an unelected body in some foreign country is in charge. It is the rape of civilization.
15
Krugman lives in the fantasies of his own mind...
1
It's revealing that none of those interviewed spoke about any clear vision for the future. People appear to be seeking change and disruption of the established order for their own sake, coupled with some vague hope that change will be for the better. The waters ahead seem treacherous, indeed.
12
There has always and will always be a limit to any ideology be it conservative or liberal. What we are seeing is the the pendulum swing the other way (towards conservatism from liberalism.) I suspect 8 years of Trump and right-wing populism will bring in itself backlash and the rise of left-wing populism. I don't know which I dislike more. I think one of the best ways to spend money is to just open all the borders and let labor and capital move freely, put all the money from border security, visas etc into intelligence gathering both digitally and physically (spies on the ground, under cover agents etc.) You stretch the dollar spent further while benefiting from open borders etc. Trump would never go for this..even democrats wouldn't as the population would freak out over it.
Meanwhile left wing populism promises...to raise my taxes? Prevent how many trades I can make in a day with my brokerage account? Force me to live in a commune to appeal to some dystopian communicatarian utopian vision of a nightmare.
At least the far right (in the US .. for now) is promising some form of free market capitalism. Someone just needs to legalize insider trading so we have the proper capitalist tool to deal with monopolies. Then again to bring back centrist-neoliberalism, both far right and far left need to run their courses proving to be nothing but failures of uneducated emotions run wild.
Meanwhile left wing populism promises...to raise my taxes? Prevent how many trades I can make in a day with my brokerage account? Force me to live in a commune to appeal to some dystopian communicatarian utopian vision of a nightmare.
At least the far right (in the US .. for now) is promising some form of free market capitalism. Someone just needs to legalize insider trading so we have the proper capitalist tool to deal with monopolies. Then again to bring back centrist-neoliberalism, both far right and far left need to run their courses proving to be nothing but failures of uneducated emotions run wild.
4
Great idea if you're a Somalian or a rich capitalist, but I'd hate for the US living standard to regress to the global mean, which is what would happen with open borders.
Political correctness has bred a whole generation of jelly-brained politicians in Europe!-This also goes right down to the local civil servants and police who can't get promoted unless they talk the P.C. talk!-The result of this is that these politicians are now basically unable to make decisions without looking up their P.C. instruction manual!This is why we have nut cases like Hollande and Merkel inviting millions of enemy combatants pretending to be refugees into Europe!
-The ordinary people, who suffer the rapes and murders and demands for sharia law, never wanted this,but until now have been completely ignored by governments who thought they could do anything without a reaction!-Donald Trump is now the figurehead for a huge sea change in the politics of Europe,where the established order is set to be replaced for ever!-We need a huge continent wide clearout of all undesirables starting right now!
-The ordinary people, who suffer the rapes and murders and demands for sharia law, never wanted this,but until now have been completely ignored by governments who thought they could do anything without a reaction!-Donald Trump is now the figurehead for a huge sea change in the politics of Europe,where the established order is set to be replaced for ever!-We need a huge continent wide clearout of all undesirables starting right now!
29
Extreme right and extreme left are outdated political labels.
The FN is NOT an extreme right wing party. It IS an the anti-globalzation party of France.
The underlying problem France failed to reform in time to adopt to globalization. The fact that French workers need only look across the Rhine to see that things could have be very different is very irritating - and being frequently mentioned on TV further feeding political discontent
The recent political development is that the left, i.e. the PS , split in the Presidential candidate pre-selection into a radical left (la gauge de la gauge) and a more moderate one. The radical left candidate, Hamon, running on a guarantied income for everyone (working or not) . a 32 hour, 4 day work week, unlimited immigration, beat the less radical candidate, Vals 35% to 31%.
Shades of the UK, where Corbyn won labour to the horror of the labour establishment. Or, if you wish Sanders, but in the US the party establishment prevailed.
As to the new Social Democracy it happily lives in Sweden, that in the words of Lefebre "combines maximum flexibility in the labour market with a VERY strong social safety net"
It works. Sweden's economy grew 4.19% in 2015 and 3.55% in 2016
The FN is NOT an extreme right wing party. It IS an the anti-globalzation party of France.
The underlying problem France failed to reform in time to adopt to globalization. The fact that French workers need only look across the Rhine to see that things could have be very different is very irritating - and being frequently mentioned on TV further feeding political discontent
The recent political development is that the left, i.e. the PS , split in the Presidential candidate pre-selection into a radical left (la gauge de la gauge) and a more moderate one. The radical left candidate, Hamon, running on a guarantied income for everyone (working or not) . a 32 hour, 4 day work week, unlimited immigration, beat the less radical candidate, Vals 35% to 31%.
Shades of the UK, where Corbyn won labour to the horror of the labour establishment. Or, if you wish Sanders, but in the US the party establishment prevailed.
As to the new Social Democracy it happily lives in Sweden, that in the words of Lefebre "combines maximum flexibility in the labour market with a VERY strong social safety net"
It works. Sweden's economy grew 4.19% in 2015 and 3.55% in 2016
8
I'm so happy to see you are sure it is not 4.18% or 3.56%. But thank you for your trust in the numbers.
2
But Sweden is in the process of deporting 80,000 Muslims. It's citizens are tired of having a nonassimilating culture along side them which does not work and reproduces at an astonishing rate. Only recently have the media started to report on the crimes in particular rape that the government has forced them to suppress and the people are angry. The same process has started in Finland and Norway for the same reasons. I recently saw a riot where Somali women were demanding free housing and more money. The Italian and Sicilian mobs are conducting their own campaign to rid themselves of this nonproductive element as well.
Europe has seen the light. It took a while but correction is on the way.
Europe has seen the light. It took a while but correction is on the way.
1
The people that think that French voters want to show the world how much they are like British and American voters are the people that don't understand the French.
The Brexit thing, and even more so, Donald Trump, reduced Marine Le Pen's chances, rather than helped her.
On the other hand, they might be willing to look more closely at a soft spoken candidate that says some of the things Marine Le Pen says.
But only a minority would vote for a loud mouthed person, like Marine Le Pen. Because they are a nation that is proud and happy to laugh at and ridicule Donald Trump, and the Americans that elected him.
The Brexit thing, and even more so, Donald Trump, reduced Marine Le Pen's chances, rather than helped her.
On the other hand, they might be willing to look more closely at a soft spoken candidate that says some of the things Marine Le Pen says.
But only a minority would vote for a loud mouthed person, like Marine Le Pen. Because they are a nation that is proud and happy to laugh at and ridicule Donald Trump, and the Americans that elected him.
8
You're wrong. So wrong that I can see a day when unproductive and non-assimilating immigrants are actually sent back to the place where they came from.
8
Looks like you don't pay attention, David. People are exactly in the mood to vote for a "loud mouthed person", as long as that person is representing them. And how can you say "they are a nation that is proud and happy to laugh at and ridicule Donald Trump, and the Americans that elected him."
Donald Trump and the Americas that "elected him" are the winners. What don't you get?
Donald Trump and the Americas that "elected him" are the winners. What don't you get?
15
Fine. The election is in 5 months. We won't have to wait long to see who is right.
2
I think the problem with the "Left" is that it never existed, in a sense. Capitalism is a reality, Socialism was an experiment. What came to be identified as "Communism", from the Soviet Union to China, passing by Cuba, materialized as totalitarian societies controlled by a few men. Egalitarianism is a concept that was never truly elaborated, and simplistic views of Egalitarianism have costed millions of lives of Soviet, Chinese and Vietnamese peasants, to name some countries. After the fall of the big Wall in Berlin, Socialism was declared dead, and even Socialists conformed to that view. What is amusing is that now we have people on the "Right" fighting the logical implications of Capitalism, but not its fundamentals, so everyone is "guilty", but not the system itself: foreigners, politicians, people of different nationalities, religions, colors or backgrounds. It is not true and it is not that simple. These are really dangerous times. We are moving backwards to a tribal mindset which potential demise was maybe the great prize that global Capitalism had to give us: a post-Capitalism world where Nation-States (a concept centuries old) are obsolete and Labor is no longer the parameter for welfare, simply because Technology has released us of the burden and freedom of Working. Unfortunately, Capitalism's contradictions find us more inclined to self-destruction than to self-liberation. Mankind is a virus working its own destruction.
7
Global capitalism did not eliminate the tribal mindset. Although I voted Democrat for many years, the Democrats in the US live and die on the tribal mindset and rallying people solely around their identity tribes. Their politics are not aimed at unifying people together as Americans. Very different from the Democratic politics of Robert Kennedy, for example, in the 1960's. He celebrated Americans of all stripes, but did so emphasizing our common citizenship. "We all share one precious possession: the name American." Not that far off from Trump's inaugural speech: "Whether you are black, brown, or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots."
In spite of Hillary Clinton's dream of open borders, nation states are still relevant.
In spite of Hillary Clinton's dream of open borders, nation states are still relevant.
11
This isn't my usual line of thinking... but you cannot discount the impact of relentless violence from Islamic extremists in the streets of France month after month reverberating in the echo chamber of the media and expect people's opinions and political views to remain unchanged... You mention Calais , there was a massive encampment of economic migrants and refugees just stranded there for months and months, correct? Can we expect under conditions like that, French citizens are going to cling to a 20th century paradigm of Left vs. Right politics ? This is a new world with new priorities. Anyone talking about early 20th century fascists and the power of the old trade unions is not dealing with contemporary reality. The conversation has changed drastically... To look back and question "how did we get here" just shows you haven't been paying attention... It's remarkable to me that anyone is shocked by this in the American media. Over the past 10-15 years I've traveled all over all of Western Europe, from small hamlets to the largest metro areas. Nothing about this Right leaning movement shocks me based on how dramatically the demographics and how powerless people feel because of the European institutions...
36
You are so right!
3
The massive city of 10,000 called "The Jungle" in Calais is no more. It existed for years not months. In the last three months the government has dispersed its residents all over the country. The problem now is they have all gone to Paris and are sleeping on the streets.
The truckers on the way to the ferry were plagued with these people breaking into their trucks and slashing their tarps. Any who were found to have made it to the UK cost the driver £4000 per person found.
The desire to go to the UK is prompted by the UK's overly generous welfare benefits. These people don't qualify as refugees since they are alread in a safe country, France.
The truckers on the way to the ferry were plagued with these people breaking into their trucks and slashing their tarps. Any who were found to have made it to the UK cost the driver £4000 per person found.
The desire to go to the UK is prompted by the UK's overly generous welfare benefits. These people don't qualify as refugees since they are alread in a safe country, France.
Illuminating writing by James Angelos. Some readers will try to compare the National Front's rise to the very ill-defined Trumpism here, but I'll remind them that Trump's cabinet includes all of those who have benefitted handsomely from the increased productivity and global economy that has outed workers here. Productivity and globalism are the enemies of French and American workers who don't work in the jobs that benefit from them.
There is a lot of rhetoric from political movements, but the real world follows economic laws. Greater productivity produces greater wealth... for fewer. Cheaper labor abroad produces cheaper goods for people who have the jobs that pay them to be able to buy them, increase the retirement portfolios of investors, and increase the wealth of executives. Admitting immigrants produces a greater labor force that enables countries to produce more competitive goods... or to get things done like harvest produce and build buildings.
It is in this context that C.G.T., *and* the National Front, attempt to improve workers' lives. C.G.T. can demand better hours and restriction of immigrant labor and the National Front can demand the same, but in the end they are battling an economic system that is influenced by technology and the global economy.
Returning manufacturing to France puts people to work in industries that won't be able to export due to the isolationism of other countries in addition to France's; those workers will lose their jobs.
There is a lot of rhetoric from political movements, but the real world follows economic laws. Greater productivity produces greater wealth... for fewer. Cheaper labor abroad produces cheaper goods for people who have the jobs that pay them to be able to buy them, increase the retirement portfolios of investors, and increase the wealth of executives. Admitting immigrants produces a greater labor force that enables countries to produce more competitive goods... or to get things done like harvest produce and build buildings.
It is in this context that C.G.T., *and* the National Front, attempt to improve workers' lives. C.G.T. can demand better hours and restriction of immigrant labor and the National Front can demand the same, but in the end they are battling an economic system that is influenced by technology and the global economy.
Returning manufacturing to France puts people to work in industries that won't be able to export due to the isolationism of other countries in addition to France's; those workers will lose their jobs.
1
I think we live in intolerant times, and the left, which has always rejected intolerance, is losing support to right-populists - be they Trump or Le Pen, who have no such qualms. In these post-truth times, the winning politician is often the one who is more adroit in at least appearing to connect at the gut level with a significant proportion of the electorate. Think of Huey Long back in the 30s.
Depressingly, I can't see how the left can reverse this process, other than jumping on the racist band wagon. Here in the UK we have Labour MPs who are having to kow-tow to their Brexit-supporting electorates, despite the fact that Brexit was sold on a number of massive lies (post-truth once again), such as the lie that Brexit would lead to an extra £350 million per week (c$438,000) being spent on our National Health Service. The very day after the referendum, prominent figures backing Brexit (notably Nigel Farrago of Lies) disavowed their own pledge.
I just hope that the only way for the left to win isn't for it to accept that, 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.' That would be just too dispiriting.
Depressingly, I can't see how the left can reverse this process, other than jumping on the racist band wagon. Here in the UK we have Labour MPs who are having to kow-tow to their Brexit-supporting electorates, despite the fact that Brexit was sold on a number of massive lies (post-truth once again), such as the lie that Brexit would lead to an extra £350 million per week (c$438,000) being spent on our National Health Service. The very day after the referendum, prominent figures backing Brexit (notably Nigel Farrago of Lies) disavowed their own pledge.
I just hope that the only way for the left to win isn't for it to accept that, 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.' That would be just too dispiriting.
3
Please - stop propagating the lie that anyone said that £350 million would be spent on the NHS. Firstly, it was a suggestion that, if the UK left the EU, then the UK payments made to the EU 'could' be diverted to the NHS. Secondly, the people that made this suggestion were part of a campaign, not a political party - they had no power to deliver anything. Nigel Farage did not disavow his own pledge because it was not Nigel Farage that made this suggestion. He was part of the second Brexit Campaign (there were two), and he said it was unfortunate that the first Brexit campaign had made this suggestion (presumably because people such as yourself would, wilfully or not, misunderstand). I hope I've made this clearer for you.
4
Unfortunately the reality is the left has become highly intolerant (at least in the United States, cannot speak for rest of the world). I say this as someone who voted Democrat or Ralph Nader every election from 1992 through 2012. What began as a campus fad of political correctness in the late 1980's and early 1990's exploded for the left over time into a full blown Maoist Cultural Revolution regulating everyone to comply with "correct thinking." Positively Orwellian.
The only thing that has prevented a repeat of the worst excesses of China's Cultural Revolution in the US is the US Constitution's protections of private property and free speech.
The only thing that has prevented a repeat of the worst excesses of China's Cultural Revolution in the US is the US Constitution's protections of private property and free speech.
9
"left, which has always rejected intolerance" dream on....
fly over land. deplorables. the list of denigrating dismissives goes on and on. uninvite those you disagree with from college lectures... the so-called "enlightened" "left" is pure tribal evil.
fly over land. deplorables. the list of denigrating dismissives goes on and on. uninvite those you disagree with from college lectures... the so-called "enlightened" "left" is pure tribal evil.
7
No mention of Jean-Luc Melanchon? Seems a discussion of today's left should include its most revelant figure, no?
3
Furthermore, this article is using a very western definition of "right wing".
Neither Fillon or Le Pen is right wing by international standards. Keeping your borders secure and favoring your native majority is the default in most non-western societies, and are not considered political subjects.
Until the French candidates embrace open social inequality, they cannot be called right wing, only not as left wing as the egalitarian imbeciles that pass for European "leadership".
Neither Fillon or Le Pen is right wing by international standards. Keeping your borders secure and favoring your native majority is the default in most non-western societies, and are not considered political subjects.
Until the French candidates embrace open social inequality, they cannot be called right wing, only not as left wing as the egalitarian imbeciles that pass for European "leadership".
27
This is an interesting article, but I couldn't help finding myself disagreeing strongly with the sweeping statement in the opening: "But as in the United States, where Rust Belt voters no longer embrace the Democratic Party, these workers have increasingly lost faith in the parties of the left." Considering that the Democratic Party won PA, MI, OH, WI, MN, and IA in the previous 2 elections (by quite a margin, in fact), and even won Indiana in 2008, it feels like a stretch to claim that their voters definitively do not embrace them.
9
2012 is a long time ago
2
That's an attractive but misleading argument. In 2012, Obama's rhetoric of hope and change was still fresh enough in the minds of voters for him to hang on in the Midwest. In addition, though Obama is indeed a free-marketer, Romney was more overtly associated with the forces of globalization that hollowed out these industrial Midwestern states. That's what pushed working class voters to still remain with the Democratic party, and those exact forces push the same voters to back Trump -- however self-defeating and ironic -- four years later.
1
Robespierre is not a very good figure to use as one's protest 'poster child' as he himself was a victim of the Reign of Terror and he was eventually execy=uted by the infamous guillotine that he and his supporters had used to kill off the French Royals and aristocracy. This led to the phrase that 'all revolutions consume their young'.
The enthusiastic and unbridled march of the 1970s economists and politicians to embrace a service economy and disgard their manufacturing base was a myopic wanted best. As globalism is sorely pointing out, it is now the services inductry and white collar jobs that are now being exported/off-shored. A revision of thought in economics is that each nation must sustain and maintain a fdully vertically and horizontally integrated economic base that runs from farming and manufacturing up through white collar professions and intellectual endeavors such as R&D.
The enthusiastic and unbridled march of the 1970s economists and politicians to embrace a service economy and disgard their manufacturing base was a myopic wanted best. As globalism is sorely pointing out, it is now the services inductry and white collar jobs that are now being exported/off-shored. A revision of thought in economics is that each nation must sustain and maintain a fdully vertically and horizontally integrated economic base that runs from farming and manufacturing up through white collar professions and intellectual endeavors such as R&D.
7
Leftism doesn't "go wrong", it is wrong. It is an infantile and stillborn "ideology". The fact that it is most favored by the young and by victim groups shows that it is devoid of intellectual substance.
When leftist core tenets are examined, its proponents flail to defend their ideas. Why should people be equals? Why is "love" that important?
Ask these questions and the left begins to repeat themselves, calling their critics immoral, like a religious man quoting scripture to defend scripture.
Who says equality means justice? Who says compassion is our utmost goal?
You?
History disagrees, and the left is on its wrong side. Hollande is a criminal for advocating social equality. He, and others like him, need to be brought to justice.
When leftist core tenets are examined, its proponents flail to defend their ideas. Why should people be equals? Why is "love" that important?
Ask these questions and the left begins to repeat themselves, calling their critics immoral, like a religious man quoting scripture to defend scripture.
Who says equality means justice? Who says compassion is our utmost goal?
You?
History disagrees, and the left is on its wrong side. Hollande is a criminal for advocating social equality. He, and others like him, need to be brought to justice.
16
Stay out of the United States, then, because equality is our founding principle and charter.
Tsk, no. This is France we are talking about. France.
Not some sort of warmed-over Dickensianism.
Not some sort of warmed-over Dickensianism.
The Social Democrats in Europe like the Democrats in the US HAVE betrayed their base. Bill Clinton might as well have abolished the Democratic Party with his welfare "reform," and then there was the bipartisan TARP for the benefit of Wall Street. Obama made liberal promises but mostly supported crony capitalism. The people felt betrayed by HRC and voted not for Trump but against her.
In Europe, the economic policies of the "right" are now more socialist than the Socialists. It is only in their nationalism and disregard for human rights that they are right wing. The Times usually ignores this. Thanks for some explaining here. But you still don't understand how Clinton Democrats have betrayed us.
In Europe, the economic policies of the "right" are now more socialist than the Socialists. It is only in their nationalism and disregard for human rights that they are right wing. The Times usually ignores this. Thanks for some explaining here. But you still don't understand how Clinton Democrats have betrayed us.
20
One problem I see is a failure in the education system. Fifty years ago, a high school education was sufficient for preparing students for life in manufacturing. It is insufficient in preparing students for the modern workforce, where a decent paying job usually requires some college. The culture in these communities also needs to change, and education needs to be prioritized.
6
I'll bet that plumbers, electricians, and mechanics make more than you do.
10
@Ryan Bingham, that reminds me of a good joke. A lawyer from New York City is at his country/weekend house when a pipe bursts. He has no idea what to do and calls the plumber, who fixes it in 15 minutes. "That'll be $100," says the plumber. "$100 for 15 minutes!!" cries the lawyer. "That's more than I make per hour!" The plumber replies, "It's more than I used to make back when I was a lawyer too."
8
Plumber hands customer his bill. "WOW!" the customer says. " I don't make this kind of money and I'm a brain surgeon".
"Neither did I when I was a brains surgeon" replied the plumber.
"Neither did I when I was a brains surgeon" replied the plumber.
In earlier times, when a community had more children than it could support, it would start farming in fragile areas, like mountainsides, which rarely could grow enough food for very long. Then the population would drop to a sustainable level.
Today, the developing countries are having more children than the environment can support. They fight over arable land and other resources. Then some of their people try to emigrate to the industrialized world, claiming they are escaping for their lives. While waiting in refugee camps and after being accepted by industrialized countries, they continue to have large families. Their new countries have to spend an endless amount of resources on these large families.
I do not blame the French workers for directing their anger toward the swell of immigrants with their large families. The government could been spending the money it has spent on the immigrants, on retraining French workers and on their communities.
Today, the developing countries are having more children than the environment can support. They fight over arable land and other resources. Then some of their people try to emigrate to the industrialized world, claiming they are escaping for their lives. While waiting in refugee camps and after being accepted by industrialized countries, they continue to have large families. Their new countries have to spend an endless amount of resources on these large families.
I do not blame the French workers for directing their anger toward the swell of immigrants with their large families. The government could been spending the money it has spent on the immigrants, on retraining French workers and on their communities.
44
There was the reported case of a Syrian immigrant in Germany with 4 wives and 22 children. The man was unable to work because he spent so much time visiting with and travelling between his 4 families. They are fully funded by the German government. If I were a German taxpayer, I would not be pleased.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3872514/Syrian-refugee-s-hand-ou...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3872514/Syrian-refugee-s-hand-ou...
24
How convenient of you to forget that the prosperity of Europe is built on 3-5 centuries of unbridled plunder and loot from the developing world, and the current refugee crisis also directly results from European enthusiasm in following the American interventions everywhere.
5
I saw a video of a man in England dressed in Muslim costume ensconced on a bed of pillows who has never worked. He, his wife and 8 children are on benefits. Asked by a Sikh woman if his community could volunteer to help at the food bank his people get food from he refuses. "It would make the Sikhs look like they have validity with Islam" he says.
Another hasn't worked in 8 years and has 11 children with another on the way. He blames prejudice as he reminds us he has "11 British degrees".
Any guesses as to why the Brits want these people out and no more let in?
Another hasn't worked in 8 years and has 11 children with another on the way. He blames prejudice as he reminds us he has "11 British degrees".
Any guesses as to why the Brits want these people out and no more let in?
Those politicians who are on the "left" bear some of the blame for abandoning the working people. the "deplorables" they no longer want to be associated with. They know it. They know when they are not wanted, not favored, and looked down upon by those seeking to take their "privileges" away from them, as if they ever had any in the first place. So, they will go where they are welcome. Many on the so-called "left" - faux left "progressives" - today remain in a state of denial about their role in bringing this about. It's hard to accept responsibility for the destabilization of Western Civilization. And they are so hard into denial, they don't even want to see it, even though the evidence is overwhelming.
32
I live in Paris. The French left is in trouble -- all lefts are in trouble -- principally because of a foundational embrace of internationalism. Turns out that lovely flavor is really hated today in the West.
36
Amen. Thanks for the comment FROM France.
9
"Everyone from the International Monetary Fund to the European Commission was urging Hollande to undertake a program of economic liberalization..." quelle surprise! Neoliberals were urging neoliberal measures that have so beautifully helped the unemployment situation in Spain - 18.9 percent - and Greece 23.2 percent. What could go wrong? Every time the unemployment rate in Spain ticks down by .001 percent, the IMF and the EUC proclaim that victory has been won. And so the clueless people who prolonged the downturn in the business cycle for almost five years past what it should be are advising Hollande, and he's taking the advice. No wonder his popularity is at 4 percent.
22
The Apocalypse is upon us, and the Old World as well as the new one which always thought of itself as somewhat different, even special (Identity politics gone foul) seem to have ended up in a complete dead end, unlivable! I long for that simpler epoch when populism itself was of the kinder type, producing gigantic figures like William Jennings Bryan whose only real fault was a kind of naive religiosity, but which did end up with a rather infamous Monkey Trial. The new and dominant version of Populism is far more evil and virulent and certainly quite ugly, menacing and nasty. Hobbes might have been happy, but I certainly am not! Looking Backwards, the Victorian period seems almost a fantasy-land, well, if you were wealthy enough to enjoy it! (But, we have some right to say this one fact is still the case, but it is also beside the point). Whatever the real truth is, that old world was still dominated by the imperial might of England and her rather spread-out Empire, all dead, vanished and replaced by America’s appearance in history, an America which had little experience of stage-managing Empire. We are now at the end of that American Age without a viable to the future. So, we all have become like frightened beasts who must make certain that all doors are locked each night, a world where it has become rather dangerous even to leave one’s keys under the outside doormat. Our lives now is nothing less than Angst raised to the highest power. Where do we go from here?
5
Another example of the NYT's pandering to the new regime in Washington: the death of the left is inevitable; long live the right.
Liberals, as they call themselves, easily adjusted to the neoliberal world crafted by Thatcher, Reagan and their ilk. The agents of adjustment were Clinton, Blair and their ilk. Now the adjustment will be to "populism," and the NYT will show the way. In any case, the neoliberal projects -- globalism, upward redistribution, austerity, oligarchy, government as the lapdog of capitalism -- will continue to advance under Trump, just as they would have continued to advance under Hillary Clinton.
The failure of nerve -- or the complicity -- of social democrats in the face of the things they purport to abhor has been a feature of the political landscape at least since 1914, when Germany's social democrats in Germany voted for war. Hollande's abject surrender to the neoliberal imperatives built into the EU surprised no one who was paying attention. Far more interesting than the feeble writhings of "left" politicians is the rise of something like a genuine left at the level of the street, the campus and the workplace. I look forward to the day when the "center-left," neoliberalism, globalism and, indeed, capitalism itself are swept into the dustbin of history -- with, of course, the New York Times on top of the pile, like an empty banana skin.
Liberals, as they call themselves, easily adjusted to the neoliberal world crafted by Thatcher, Reagan and their ilk. The agents of adjustment were Clinton, Blair and their ilk. Now the adjustment will be to "populism," and the NYT will show the way. In any case, the neoliberal projects -- globalism, upward redistribution, austerity, oligarchy, government as the lapdog of capitalism -- will continue to advance under Trump, just as they would have continued to advance under Hillary Clinton.
The failure of nerve -- or the complicity -- of social democrats in the face of the things they purport to abhor has been a feature of the political landscape at least since 1914, when Germany's social democrats in Germany voted for war. Hollande's abject surrender to the neoliberal imperatives built into the EU surprised no one who was paying attention. Far more interesting than the feeble writhings of "left" politicians is the rise of something like a genuine left at the level of the street, the campus and the workplace. I look forward to the day when the "center-left," neoliberalism, globalism and, indeed, capitalism itself are swept into the dustbin of history -- with, of course, the New York Times on top of the pile, like an empty banana skin.
9
I think this is just a complicated issue and any simiplifications by boiling it down to one main cause will be a fool's errand.
However automation would be one factor right up there in the list. The new economy gives us these amazing products and allows us to make our lives more convenient. However the downside is that it also means that it displaces people who are trained to do those jobs. ATMs replaced human tellers. There are many advantages of ATMs. It is estimated 85% of the economic woes of working class can be explained by automation. All else including immigration explains the remaining 15%.
It is failure of the leaders to provide a safety net for a large population of displaced working class. One thing is clear if you want a complete market oriented economy (long a main cause of the Right esp in the US) then individuals are left to fend for themselves and we will continue to have this skewed distribution of employment and wealth.
We can never enact policies that will satisfy everyone. However we can make policies that will lessen the impact of tech progress and avoid the forthcoming train wreck. Simply the tax system. Eliminate corporate tax loopholes. Reduce millitary spending (See what happened to Soviet Union when they spent more on guns than butter) and instead use that money to support or retrain displaced human resources.
However automation would be one factor right up there in the list. The new economy gives us these amazing products and allows us to make our lives more convenient. However the downside is that it also means that it displaces people who are trained to do those jobs. ATMs replaced human tellers. There are many advantages of ATMs. It is estimated 85% of the economic woes of working class can be explained by automation. All else including immigration explains the remaining 15%.
It is failure of the leaders to provide a safety net for a large population of displaced working class. One thing is clear if you want a complete market oriented economy (long a main cause of the Right esp in the US) then individuals are left to fend for themselves and we will continue to have this skewed distribution of employment and wealth.
We can never enact policies that will satisfy everyone. However we can make policies that will lessen the impact of tech progress and avoid the forthcoming train wreck. Simply the tax system. Eliminate corporate tax loopholes. Reduce millitary spending (See what happened to Soviet Union when they spent more on guns than butter) and instead use that money to support or retrain displaced human resources.
11
So leftists and turning into nationalist and nationalists are turning into leftists. This is an interesting article about the convergence of nationalism and socialism. I'd like to see the follow-up article on how this compares to national socialism.
3
Le Pen may ultimately be defeated, but she will force the key mainstream parties to increasingly co-opt a number of her positions as the price of their victory.
11
This article sheds light on the pressing issue of the moment, President Trump, who he got there and what to do about it. . Sure, the left - right spectrum is dead, but only as a means of promoting two enduring contrasting ideologies. Previously, the the democratic process required parties publicize their positions. But no more.
Now each side can communicate with its own base, targeted to specific demographics. President Trump was able to sell himself to his lower educated more angry segment on a pastiche of socialistic-nationalism by keeping the focus on his panoply of enemies. HRC attempted to ignore her history of right-center "New Democrat" policies of the Bill Clinton administration, but couldn't overcome the contrast with the clear articulation of this by her primary opponent, nor had she the charismatic skills of legerdemain of her opponent.
Donald Trump is a man of his time, his deep personality devoid of moral compunction in his insatiable thirst for power. This is so much who he is, that it cannot be contained, breaking out in responses to those who dare comment that his inaugural crowd was not the biggest of all. This thirst for power has not given him the incentive or time to evaluate the complexity of international diplomacy or the process of transformation of a profit driven healthcare segment.
In office he must live the illusion that he perpetrated on his voters -- that he can do by instinct, what requires deep knowledge.
AlRodbell.com
Now each side can communicate with its own base, targeted to specific demographics. President Trump was able to sell himself to his lower educated more angry segment on a pastiche of socialistic-nationalism by keeping the focus on his panoply of enemies. HRC attempted to ignore her history of right-center "New Democrat" policies of the Bill Clinton administration, but couldn't overcome the contrast with the clear articulation of this by her primary opponent, nor had she the charismatic skills of legerdemain of her opponent.
Donald Trump is a man of his time, his deep personality devoid of moral compunction in his insatiable thirst for power. This is so much who he is, that it cannot be contained, breaking out in responses to those who dare comment that his inaugural crowd was not the biggest of all. This thirst for power has not given him the incentive or time to evaluate the complexity of international diplomacy or the process of transformation of a profit driven healthcare segment.
In office he must live the illusion that he perpetrated on his voters -- that he can do by instinct, what requires deep knowledge.
AlRodbell.com
6
"President Trump was able to sell himself to his lower educated more angry segment on a pastiche of socialistic-nationalism by keeping the focus on his panoply of enemies. "
And HRC was able to sell herself to the even less educated urban underclass but it is apparently not politically correct to even mention that.
And HRC was able to sell herself to the even less educated urban underclass but it is apparently not politically correct to even mention that.
25
Naomi Klein recently had insightful things to say about Trump's right-wing populism, which she suggests is partially rooted in nationalist U.S. labor discourse from recent years. The left definitely needs a much more internationalist ethos.
2
The decline of European socialist leaning governments has not been because of economic reasons, but mostly because of immigration issues. Europe has made the catastrophic mistake of letting in millions of refugees from Middle Eastern countries. And many of the most liberal, and socialist leaning European governments are the most guilty parties concerning unfettered immigration. This failure to adequately secure and protect one's borders has had a massive backlash, and the consequence has been that many "moderate" Europeans have started to support much more rightwing parties than they ordinarily would be prone to back. Multiple terrorist attacks, and the well documented sexually motivated attacks in Cologne have created a massive increase in the anxiety level throughout Europe, and mostly liberal socialist leaning European governments are paying the price. Strictly economically though, I would guess most Europeans remain extremely supportive of a very liberal economic policy with heavy government involvement – as long as the government benefits aren’t seen to aid a bunch of refugees.
34
Actually it goes back to the 1990's when the EU forced counties to accept Eastern European workers. They worked cheaper and were given benefits that should have gone to citizens.
19
Your analysis on immigration is correct, but the demise of the "left" is also deeply economic. While you are correct to point out that most Europeans remain very supportive of a strong State and generous social protections, the point you're perhaps overlooking -- and which this article highlights -- is that the "socialists" in Europe have enacted policies that are contrary to these ideals. Instead, they've often acquiesced to their central bank masters, and devised policies of austerity and market liberalization, all while failing to address their citizens' border concerns. This has resulted in high levels of unemployment, greater job insecurity (at least by European standards), and a populist void on working class issues, formerly maintained by the left, that has been filled, however superficially, by the nationalist right.
2
These voters aren't rejecting socialism. They're rejecting government austerity which, incidentally, isn't reducing debt levels.
But you'd never guess, reading this newspaper.
But you'd never guess, reading this newspaper.
29
For journalists, it is a story to write about. And it will be shocking when Marine Le Pen arrives in the second round, but she won't win.
France doesn't have that silly "electoral college" thing. And the first round gives everybody some indication of how seriously they need to think about getting off their duff and going to the polling station. And the elections are on Sundays, not Tuesdays.
Marine Le Pen's father made it into the second round, 15 years ago, and in the second round even left wing voters voted for the right wing candidate, Jacques Chirac. Le Pen only had 20 percent or so in the second round.
Marine might do better, in the second round, than her father. Maybe she'll even have more than 35%.
But she won't win.
France doesn't have that silly "electoral college" thing. And the first round gives everybody some indication of how seriously they need to think about getting off their duff and going to the polling station. And the elections are on Sundays, not Tuesdays.
Marine Le Pen's father made it into the second round, 15 years ago, and in the second round even left wing voters voted for the right wing candidate, Jacques Chirac. Le Pen only had 20 percent or so in the second round.
Marine might do better, in the second round, than her father. Maybe she'll even have more than 35%.
But she won't win.
13
This newspaper and others thought the same about Trump and he did win.
26
If I had a dollar for every time I heard or read '...but Trump won't win' in the last 18 months I'd be a wealthy man.
30
It's not the same country, and it's not the same system. But fine, we just wait 5 months. You'll see. France is not the United States.
9
Social welfare in this century will be unlike anything we've seen. Automation will kill so many jobs that any theory previously used to assess government is obsolete. Baby Boomers retiring without funds will both stress the economy and remove demand at the same time. The results will be huge. Whether or not it's the federal government helping the unemployed or it's a citizens movement is yet to be known, but make no mistake, there are going to be a very large number of unemployed people over the next couple of decades, and they will need to eat. And when people get hungry, things get serious.
35
The parties of the left do not have a monopoly on social democracy! Many of the right do too . Le Pen is more of a social democratic than Hillary Clinton ever was!
20
The basic problem the left has is the lack of doers in the left. In the past leftist leader came out of factories and labor unions that were concerning with transportation and manufacturing.
Today so many people come from the progressive left come from education and government employment. These people have never implemented anything, other than working within government programs. They are clueless to actually making things happen other than running their mouths, or the more radical ones, breaking windows. Until the left throws out these worthless leaders (like Bernie), they are going to be isolated to a small minority of whiners.
Today so many people come from the progressive left come from education and government employment. These people have never implemented anything, other than working within government programs. They are clueless to actually making things happen other than running their mouths, or the more radical ones, breaking windows. Until the left throws out these worthless leaders (like Bernie), they are going to be isolated to a small minority of whiners.
41
Have you looked at a red versus blue map that's layered with GDP output? Guess what? The blue areas outproduce the red. Consistently. Know what else the blue areas outproduce over the red areas? Taxes. Who's whining now?
11
the lack of doers in the left.
Why is every big Tech CEO a liberal? Companies like Facebook, Tesla, Google, Apple., etc. (that is to say, the biggest, most profitable companies in the world) were built by doers, liberal doers. Ever used one of their products? Going to guess yes.
There are plenty of rich conservatives as well, but this idea that there are no liberal doers or that liberals only work in government or academia is absurd.
Why is every big Tech CEO a liberal? Companies like Facebook, Tesla, Google, Apple., etc. (that is to say, the biggest, most profitable companies in the world) were built by doers, liberal doers. Ever used one of their products? Going to guess yes.
There are plenty of rich conservatives as well, but this idea that there are no liberal doers or that liberals only work in government or academia is absurd.
6
"Lack of doers"? Hmm, where shall we start? FDR, JFK, MLK, Malcolm X, Upton Sinclair, Norman Mailer, Gore Vidal, Gloria Steinem, Noam Chomsky, Joan Baez, Odetta, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan (kinda), most of Hollywood, most of Silicon Valley. Oh yeah, and Barack Obama, he's a "doer." Most conservatives are good at saying no, no to innovation and invention that threatens the status quo, no to change that threatens entrenched power, no to anything that might benefit groups or individuals that aren't in their club. Sorry, your argument is not true.
4
Hold on to your hat, too much Left in too short a period of time opens the door wide to all faults and failures of institutional communism and socialism. Both kill individual ingenuity and pride in workmanship while downplaying knowledge and ambition, and can not stand the test of time for long. The Left must fall and conservatism must succeed.
14
Just as not all conservatives are authoritarians, not all liberals are communists - inditing so is an exercise in reductionism which allows you only to engage with the extremist elements rather than the rational folks on the other side who you would begrudgingly be forced to admit you agree with on some matters. And if you want to talk about downplaying knowledge, which party was the anti-intellectual one this election? Do you really want to make the case that Trump was not anti-intellectual? Which party denies empirical evidence and the consensus of the scientific community, as the right has with issues like the environment?
11
Conservatism - deregulation and private control of the economy and its social norms.
Conservatism led to Republican Herbert Hoover's Depression policies of 1929, and the crash of 1933. NO oversight of banking.
Conservatism of the late 1990s Senate and House stripped away Glass-Steagall and set the stage for the Bush-Cheney Great Recession of 2008. Foolishly, President Clinton obliged.
In both cases America’s ‘left’ rescued the economy: the socialistic spending of FDR and the nominal Keynesian spending increase of 2009 by President Obama, which was actually back by the Bush-Cheney klan.
Conservatism ought to languish in the trash bins - along with conservative principles of Southern slavery and Jim Crow laws, globalization, race baiting, deregulation, Citizens United and give-aways to the military industrial complex.
We ought to learn from the history of FDR, Truman, IKE and Kennedy, and look to a United State government that challenges conservatives’ core principles, toward a more perfect democratic union.
With his ’socialistic spending’ on our infrastructure and “buy America' policies, Donald Trump may actually deflate conservatism, in alignment with the National Front movements in Western Europe which challenge globalization and tax give aways to multinationals, as well as protect and promote trade unionism at home.
Conservatism led to Republican Herbert Hoover's Depression policies of 1929, and the crash of 1933. NO oversight of banking.
Conservatism of the late 1990s Senate and House stripped away Glass-Steagall and set the stage for the Bush-Cheney Great Recession of 2008. Foolishly, President Clinton obliged.
In both cases America’s ‘left’ rescued the economy: the socialistic spending of FDR and the nominal Keynesian spending increase of 2009 by President Obama, which was actually back by the Bush-Cheney klan.
Conservatism ought to languish in the trash bins - along with conservative principles of Southern slavery and Jim Crow laws, globalization, race baiting, deregulation, Citizens United and give-aways to the military industrial complex.
We ought to learn from the history of FDR, Truman, IKE and Kennedy, and look to a United State government that challenges conservatives’ core principles, toward a more perfect democratic union.
With his ’socialistic spending’ on our infrastructure and “buy America' policies, Donald Trump may actually deflate conservatism, in alignment with the National Front movements in Western Europe which challenge globalization and tax give aways to multinationals, as well as protect and promote trade unionism at home.
5
"Which party denies empirical evidence and the consensus of the scientific community, as the right has with issues like the environment?"
Computer projections and constantly changing statistics are not "empirical evidence".
We just had an election filled with computer projections and changing statistics that said Hillary would win.
Changing the name of the process from "Global warming" to "Climate change" because it stopped warming didn't help the case.
Psst. Scientists will say whatever is necessary to keep grants coming in.
Computer projections and constantly changing statistics are not "empirical evidence".
We just had an election filled with computer projections and changing statistics that said Hillary would win.
Changing the name of the process from "Global warming" to "Climate change" because it stopped warming didn't help the case.
Psst. Scientists will say whatever is necessary to keep grants coming in.
The nationalist idea in France isn't any more about hatred or anything else as it is about people changing their minds.
The French went for liberal big-government ideas and saw that trust explode as that system is clearly unsustainable. Moving back in the other direction is an act of survival and an act of providing for one's family and neighborhood.
Radicalized advocates here will over-respond out of ignorance more than anything else. The French and many everyday Europeans also know they are facing fewer options since their currency is not theirs alone. Adjusting a country's currency to allow for growing employment or the money supply isn't an option for them like it is for Red China or the U.S.
Italy was another leader toward a national communist party during the Vietnam war period and its experience will reveal a lot as well. But what we DO know is that running too much through the national government is the most dangerous choice available. The farther away the decisions are made, the more likely disastrous mistakes will be made.
The French went for liberal big-government ideas and saw that trust explode as that system is clearly unsustainable. Moving back in the other direction is an act of survival and an act of providing for one's family and neighborhood.
Radicalized advocates here will over-respond out of ignorance more than anything else. The French and many everyday Europeans also know they are facing fewer options since their currency is not theirs alone. Adjusting a country's currency to allow for growing employment or the money supply isn't an option for them like it is for Red China or the U.S.
Italy was another leader toward a national communist party during the Vietnam war period and its experience will reveal a lot as well. But what we DO know is that running too much through the national government is the most dangerous choice available. The farther away the decisions are made, the more likely disastrous mistakes will be made.
6
"The farther way the decisions are made, the more likely disastrous mistakes will be made” ~
~ Decisions made by private corporate board rooms from Asia, perhaps?
~ Decisions made by private corporate board rooms from Asia, perhaps?
1
At some point, after the shouting from Trump and the screaming from the Left dies down, we are going to have to face the fact that the enemy of the working class is not billionaires, Mexicans, inequality or free trade, but robots. People, for whatever reason, prefer to blame other people for their problems, but the reality is that automation has made the industrial working class superfluous. Trump, Sanders and Le Pen can all call for "re-industrialization" and bringing back jobs from wherever, but these jobs are essentially gone forever. At this point, the best we can do is legislate against insane job killing technologies of the future, like autonomous vehicles. But no one, anywhere on the political spectrum, is dealing with this core problem. And that may very well be because there is no easy solution.
27
Robots do not create themselves (not yet anyway). You are correct though in your assessment that while people are blaming people, science and technology marches ahead. So it was when the US moved from an agrarian-based economy to an industrial one. Now we are firmly in the post-industrial period and those companies which cannot pivot their product lines to what is needed now and tomorrow, will fail. The example in this article of former workers of a paper plant working in cardboard now, really exemplifies what I'm talking about. Cardboard is big because of the escalating growth of online shopping while people are just not buying writing paper and card stock anymore. Well, and so it goes. There is no going back. It is impossible to stop progress. No amount of government or private sector spending, no amount of tax breaks and incentives will turn around the company that is not producing what the market is clamoring for. It's a sad time to be caught in the middle with no vision of a future nor opportunity to adapt to it.
5
There is no solution from the core ideologies of left or right, all evolving before the transformation you describe. The rough equation between effort (and of course the luck of birth -- genetic and situational) while long seen as ending from the time of 19th century Luddites, has always allowed humans to occupy that unique place that required creativity and advanced cognitive skills.
This is ending. IBM's Watson is on the cutting edge, now doing the routine work of Lawyers and Physicians. The truism that humans will still find more productive activity fails in that a given point productivity, defined by transformation of raw material into useful devices, reaches an ecological limit.
We approach an era where the brilliant industrious person has a career outlook not that much better than his opposite. It will take a willful policy decision to keep the masses alive and well. Of course we could be occupied by internecine war that will both occupy many and decrease the population, but hatred of other has to be fostered with a vengeance.
This is ending. IBM's Watson is on the cutting edge, now doing the routine work of Lawyers and Physicians. The truism that humans will still find more productive activity fails in that a given point productivity, defined by transformation of raw material into useful devices, reaches an ecological limit.
We approach an era where the brilliant industrious person has a career outlook not that much better than his opposite. It will take a willful policy decision to keep the masses alive and well. Of course we could be occupied by internecine war that will both occupy many and decrease the population, but hatred of other has to be fostered with a vengeance.
3
The overall people's leaning towards nihilistic right wing populism, is despicable for me , a middle of the politics person.
I believe we created a generation ( between 20-50 years of age ) doesn't have any understanding of where we are coming from.
In Europe , we saw fascism and Communism populist agendas and now as if nothing happened like, people in Europe are running Hitlers ideological descendants for their saviors.
This is in all level is the problem of the people.
I long past put the idea of politicians are the results of irreprehensible corruption, But with the internet and social media's advance , people so called themselves average and guiltless, entire scheme exposed.
People are corrupt, people are looking for short cuts, people are not investing 1 inch of attention what would be the best for all of us. There is a hordes of vandals running all around looking for consuming , more consuming and becoming more wealthy.
We already past this insanity with two world war, what is clear now day after day , people wants another world war, they do not express this idea consciously but every actions they are taking is just going there.
In one sense WWs are the process of purging millions of people to graveyards, so the remaining comprehend what happened. Obviously after 70 years all collective memory faded.
I believe we created a generation ( between 20-50 years of age ) doesn't have any understanding of where we are coming from.
In Europe , we saw fascism and Communism populist agendas and now as if nothing happened like, people in Europe are running Hitlers ideological descendants for their saviors.
This is in all level is the problem of the people.
I long past put the idea of politicians are the results of irreprehensible corruption, But with the internet and social media's advance , people so called themselves average and guiltless, entire scheme exposed.
People are corrupt, people are looking for short cuts, people are not investing 1 inch of attention what would be the best for all of us. There is a hordes of vandals running all around looking for consuming , more consuming and becoming more wealthy.
We already past this insanity with two world war, what is clear now day after day , people wants another world war, they do not express this idea consciously but every actions they are taking is just going there.
In one sense WWs are the process of purging millions of people to graveyards, so the remaining comprehend what happened. Obviously after 70 years all collective memory faded.
9
A well-written and informative article, thank you. We shouldn't rule out the possibility that Le Pen will win the upcoming election. See my own essays "The Real Meaning of the French Election" (Foreign Policy Journal) and "Terra Instabilis" (The Humanist). We are just at the beginning of the unraveling of the institutions that form the framework of the post-1945 world. The most interesting question for the future is no longer "Will the New Right take power across the West?" but "What will happen after the New Right's policies are tried and fail?"
15
Our version of the New Right will fail by all objective criteria, but it is unlikely that its leader 's four year term will be shortened. Our system does not provide for a majority being about to depose a head of government by a coalition of parties.
The damage done by D.J.T. is not only a destruction of policy developed by a consensus of both parties over many decades, but a debasement of the socio-political culture. Actually W. possessed such a limited understanding of foreign and domestic policy, but had a core of decency that is lacking in the current occupant.
The damage done by D.J.T. is not only a destruction of policy developed by a consensus of both parties over many decades, but a debasement of the socio-political culture. Actually W. possessed such a limited understanding of foreign and domestic policy, but had a core of decency that is lacking in the current occupant.
2
But what if they are tried and succeed? What then does the question become?
7
Being a worker in a world without much work for you to do is a tough spot to be in for anyone. Too bad there's not more than some feckless government to scream at.
9
I would like to again point out that the majority of people in the United States did not in fact vote for our own version of right-wing populism, but due to the vagaries of our electoral system and population distribution, DJT was elected. So be it. Whether or not this outcome leads, in all practical purposes, to a fatal blow to social democracies, is yet to be determined, but it should be noted as such that a majority of the US populace did not want this outcome.
As for myself, here is one liberal who hasn't given up socialism for the working class. I intend to focus nearly exclusively on the economic benefits that the middle and working class can gain from a socialist system emphasizes retaining well paying jobs, eliminating healthcare and education expenses for working families, and not much else. Leave the PC/ID politics to the city folks where it will turn out the already progressive voters who are responsive to these issues. Trump voters in rural Wisconsin don't want to hear it and it's not worth eliminating the social democratic order just to wage the left's own culture wars.
All this being said, there are global issues at stake that social democracy is adept at addressing, namely peaceful alliances (as exemplified by the unification of the EU), and climate change. We ignore these at our own peril no matter what party we vote for.
Also, please do an article on Benoît Hamon, the 'far left' counter part to Marine Le Pen.
As for myself, here is one liberal who hasn't given up socialism for the working class. I intend to focus nearly exclusively on the economic benefits that the middle and working class can gain from a socialist system emphasizes retaining well paying jobs, eliminating healthcare and education expenses for working families, and not much else. Leave the PC/ID politics to the city folks where it will turn out the already progressive voters who are responsive to these issues. Trump voters in rural Wisconsin don't want to hear it and it's not worth eliminating the social democratic order just to wage the left's own culture wars.
All this being said, there are global issues at stake that social democracy is adept at addressing, namely peaceful alliances (as exemplified by the unification of the EU), and climate change. We ignore these at our own peril no matter what party we vote for.
Also, please do an article on Benoît Hamon, the 'far left' counter part to Marine Le Pen.
72
Socialist policies for welfare and protection of living standard of working classes CAN NOT work together with open borders. This simple fact is missed by the left here and in Europe. Choose either high quality tax payer funded welfare state or cheap and unskilled labor dominated free market chaos, where working classes are never secure.
22
International borders are inherently immoral, which is why opposite idealistic utopias, pure libertarianism and Marxism, both require a version of "one world with no national borders." This doesn't mean that civilization is doomed to a perpetual battle between a socialism that claims government can be fair, and conservatives who believe big government must be oppressive.
Friedrich Hayek one of the luminaries of Libertarian thought, wrote this:
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There is no reason why in a free society government should not assure to all, protection against severe deprivation in the form of an assured minimum income, or a floor below which nobody need descend. To enter into such an insurance against extreme misfortune may well be in the interest of all; or it may be felt to be a clear moral duty of all to assist, within the organised community, those who cannot help themselves.
So long as such a uniform minimum income is provided outside the market to all those who, for any reason, are unable to earn in the market an adequate maintenance, this need not lead to a restriction of freedom, or conflict with the Rule of Law.
-----------------------
Paul Ryan claims to admire Hayek, buy somehow he must have missed this.
AlRodbell.com
Friedrich Hayek one of the luminaries of Libertarian thought, wrote this:
------------
There is no reason why in a free society government should not assure to all, protection against severe deprivation in the form of an assured minimum income, or a floor below which nobody need descend. To enter into such an insurance against extreme misfortune may well be in the interest of all; or it may be felt to be a clear moral duty of all to assist, within the organised community, those who cannot help themselves.
So long as such a uniform minimum income is provided outside the market to all those who, for any reason, are unable to earn in the market an adequate maintenance, this need not lead to a restriction of freedom, or conflict with the Rule of Law.
-----------------------
Paul Ryan claims to admire Hayek, buy somehow he must have missed this.
AlRodbell.com
2
I would like to point that a majority of people didn't for either candidate. They didn't bother to show up.
4
Generally people are content with their lot in life if they see that their efforts are yielding steady progress in their standard of living, even if it is slow. The reality is there are too many people and not enough jobs, AND there has been a massive "redistribution" of wealth into the pockets of the aristocracy. The angry, forgotten working class is insane if they think these alt-right white guys are going to do them any favors. We need real leadership. Leadership that understands the causes and dangers of these alt-right movements. Leadership that has governments start investing in new industries. It makes no sense to "bring back coal". In addition to a minimum wage, there needs to be a maximum wage. CEOs should not be able to make 100 or 1000 times what the workers make.
18
Obama had that leadership mandate for 8 years, but he wasted that in fighting culture wars. Rather than suing corrupt wall street, Obama DOJ was more interesting bullying schools on bathrooms. What a wasted opportunity.
21
You think unbridled immigration, the Muslim terrorism and influx, globalization and the enrichment of a few while the middle class is hollowed out, unfair competition from China and other countries, an all-powerful EU group composed of bureaucrats may have something to do with this?
I have friends who are professional upper middle class who are moving toward the right. I think the left-wing is in denial, and still sticking to the time-honored labels of race, xenophobia and intolerance as excuses.
I have friends who are professional upper middle class who are moving toward the right. I think the left-wing is in denial, and still sticking to the time-honored labels of race, xenophobia and intolerance as excuses.
24
Anyone on the right who is not in the .1% is also in denial, since the underlying goal of right-wing leaders is to enrich the oligarchy at the expense of everyone, and everything, else. THIS is what the left must address--the movement away from inclusive economics to extractive economics, as described by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson in Why Nations Fail.
4
The problem depicted here is the changing of labor markets in the industrialized West from one in which a worker had a secure job with good pay and benefits, to one in which the pay and benefits, and the security, started to weaken, to one in which there is not only lower pay and benefits, but no security at all and indeed no job at all for a growing number of blue collar workers who are being replaced not by "China" but by automation and other technological changes that won't go away.
This is the world that Marx predicted, in which capitalism would solve the problem of production (i.e. increase both output and efficiency) and in which some other system (Marx said communism but that turned out not to work) would be needed to solve the problem of distribution -- i.e. how the unemployables could be supported.
IMHO the Scandanavian model points the way to the answer. But it's difficult to implement economically and technologically, and apparently impossible to implement politically in larger, ethnically diverse and more open societies -- as even the Scandanavians are finding. So populist con men (and women) are seizing the opportunity opened by the failure of the "no-value left-right" (as the last para of the article says) to find the way. It will take a while, who knows how long at at what costs, for the emptiness of their promises and the danger of their authoritarianism to become apparent and open the door to -- who knows -- the next attempt.
This is the world that Marx predicted, in which capitalism would solve the problem of production (i.e. increase both output and efficiency) and in which some other system (Marx said communism but that turned out not to work) would be needed to solve the problem of distribution -- i.e. how the unemployables could be supported.
IMHO the Scandanavian model points the way to the answer. But it's difficult to implement economically and technologically, and apparently impossible to implement politically in larger, ethnically diverse and more open societies -- as even the Scandanavians are finding. So populist con men (and women) are seizing the opportunity opened by the failure of the "no-value left-right" (as the last para of the article says) to find the way. It will take a while, who knows how long at at what costs, for the emptiness of their promises and the danger of their authoritarianism to become apparent and open the door to -- who knows -- the next attempt.
9
An answer that is difficult to implement economically and technologically? Are you reading your own post?
So many Scandinavians are re-locating businesses to other countries precisely because of the high taxes and unbridled immigration that are pervasive. A strong social net for all, including immigrants, at the expense of a working few is not the answer. We need to figure out another way.
So many Scandinavians are re-locating businesses to other countries precisely because of the high taxes and unbridled immigration that are pervasive. A strong social net for all, including immigrants, at the expense of a working few is not the answer. We need to figure out another way.
7
Let us see how robust Scandinavia looks in 10 years, with low oil prices and a surge of low skilled and culturally unadaptable refugees taken in last three years. There is no money tree, sooner or later bills have to be paid.
14
Electrolux headquarters are here in Charlotte.
might just be me but praying or send well wishes, changing your social media avatar, vowing to stand united, holding candlelight vigils, wash&rinse&repeat over and over doesn't seem to be stopping terrorists from massacring citizens.
14
France, along with the rest of Western Europe, made the conscious decision to expand the welfare state after WW2. Unfortunately because of a host of reasons the cost that welfare state is now too much of a burden for the nations (except maybe Germany which loaded the deck for themselves with the move to a single currency) to withstand.
Add to that the ridiculous labor laws that France has enacted and recent immigration movements (as foreigners who seek the rich benefits move to the countries that provide them) and you have the situation in which the French middle class finds itself.
I worked for a French company. If I wanted to pay a worker in France 100 EUR, I had to pay the government 65 EUR, so it cost me 165 EUR for every 100 EUR I paid my staff. Then, the workers were taxed on earnings (the 100 EUR they got) at ridiculous rates. I couldn't fire an employee without permission from the government. Then, if I got permission I had to pay that worker around 85% of his pay for a minimum of three years. In essence, it is too expensive to hire anybody, because if you do you can't fire anyone. Good luck attracting foreign companies to set up shop.
France's problems run much deeper than the National Front. An overly generous nanny state that awards benefits to all (citizen or not) and excessively oppressive regulation on business are the ingredients that have gone into making this unappetizing cake France finds itself forced to eat.
Add to that the ridiculous labor laws that France has enacted and recent immigration movements (as foreigners who seek the rich benefits move to the countries that provide them) and you have the situation in which the French middle class finds itself.
I worked for a French company. If I wanted to pay a worker in France 100 EUR, I had to pay the government 65 EUR, so it cost me 165 EUR for every 100 EUR I paid my staff. Then, the workers were taxed on earnings (the 100 EUR they got) at ridiculous rates. I couldn't fire an employee without permission from the government. Then, if I got permission I had to pay that worker around 85% of his pay for a minimum of three years. In essence, it is too expensive to hire anybody, because if you do you can't fire anyone. Good luck attracting foreign companies to set up shop.
France's problems run much deeper than the National Front. An overly generous nanny state that awards benefits to all (citizen or not) and excessively oppressive regulation on business are the ingredients that have gone into making this unappetizing cake France finds itself forced to eat.
27
"The 2008 financial crisis, which began in the United States but quickly spread to Europe with more enduring, destructive consequences, should in theory have been a boon to the global left."
Yes the crisis should have boosted the left. Too bad that at the moment of truth, most left-wing politicians in Washington revealed themselves to be stooges for the Wall Street vermin by bailing the bandits out while leaving average citizens to fend for themselves after their lives were ruined by the financial shenanigans. We reap what we sow - that's the lesson for losing "liberal" politicians (i.e. Hillary Clinton) who chose to drop to their knees before Wall Street instead of helping out average Americans.
Yes the crisis should have boosted the left. Too bad that at the moment of truth, most left-wing politicians in Washington revealed themselves to be stooges for the Wall Street vermin by bailing the bandits out while leaving average citizens to fend for themselves after their lives were ruined by the financial shenanigans. We reap what we sow - that's the lesson for losing "liberal" politicians (i.e. Hillary Clinton) who chose to drop to their knees before Wall Street instead of helping out average Americans.
27
The article, and the comments are intelligent and thought provoking from all sides of the issue. I notice, however, in all of the news about the upsurge of populism, here and abroad, there is one issue I never see addressed as critical. That is overpopulation. From all over the globe, people crowded into societies where opportunities are limited are migrating to those countries with greater prosperity, in many cases challenging the native populations for a seat at the table. At the same time, traditional means of providing a livelihood (jobs) are becoming harder to find, and also less remunerative, to say nothing of providing much less security. It is hardly surprising that insecure citizens lash out at the most obvious representation of this social instability. The greater culpability, of course, lies with the financial aristocracy that has monetized almost every aspect of life that they possibly can. Certainly reining in the overweening greed of the investor class, will not reduce the population crisis, or its long-term consequences, and is no substitute for revising immigration policies, but it would contribute more towards sane societies than electing authoritarian governments that depend on the genuine fears of their constituencies for power.
33
Political opponents must be engaged on the core of their appeal, not denounced because of some perceived moral infraction, or for being "extreme". This was at the root of the Clinton defeat in the U.S. Donald Trump was attacked for being an awful person, and a hater, instead of addressing the concerns of his potential voters, which were written off as being his fellow travelers along the nativist path, or simply dumb. This is a political lesson which can be used in France in their upcoming election, or anywhere.
12
I like Yoda's post on the problems with the left's political deftness. But David Brooks today [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/24/opinion/after-the-womens-march.html?a...®ion=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region ] nails it quite well. We are in a post-post-WWII historic space where a collaborative nationalism is needed to connect coastal liberal ideals with rust-belt realities. In many cases we must toss out what academia teaches us about the fruits of neoliberalism and replace it with truths practiced but long forgotten, such as Hamilton's practice of public credit, and raising social-needs funds from the victimless tax of land value capture and credit banking (where money is created out of thin air). Get consensus on these three ideas, and we are halfway there, or more. Or maybe Madonna is correct that we should just blow it all up.
5
Hell must have frozen over. Even the far left French have finally come to their senses.
8
In what way? Economically, they're not American Republicans, and clearly don't want to be ones or live in a Republican's world.
Societally? France was never far-left. While the English speaking countries were going around the globe advocating cultural pluralism and acceptance of abhorrent practices in the name of whatever religion/culture/ideology, France has always defended human rights.
No politician in France, even radical left-wing Jean-Luc Mélenchon supports multiculturalism.
Societally? France was never far-left. While the English speaking countries were going around the globe advocating cultural pluralism and acceptance of abhorrent practices in the name of whatever religion/culture/ideology, France has always defended human rights.
No politician in France, even radical left-wing Jean-Luc Mélenchon supports multiculturalism.
4
Oh God....now we enter the era that our Grandkids will question what crack were we all on?
How do I get myself to Bora Bora? Since Scottie ain't up there need to find refuge on this small planet.
How do I get myself to Bora Bora? Since Scottie ain't up there need to find refuge on this small planet.
1
Socialism will always fail. The supply of OPM is not infinite and even the looniest of left wingers eventual tire when they see no future for them or their family.
6
Not so, the supply of the working persons money is not infinite. Share holders, banks, investors and CEO's can only take so much. You eventually run out.
5
Not even a mention of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, candidate of the so-called "far Left," who is presently close to placing third in the polls, behind Le Pen and Macron. Whose graveyard exactly are we whistling past?
3
Bonjour, what else ?
first, the Brexit and nom Trump's victory !
It's true, the french froggies are upset with all, but it is our nature.
Do not make any mistake, we are always living in a democracy, even the populism is growing. And there is no doubt the Front National (not the National Front as written) has nothing to do with social. Their leaders has for main goal to lead France out of every system and contest the actual established World economy.
first, the Brexit and nom Trump's victory !
It's true, the french froggies are upset with all, but it is our nature.
Do not make any mistake, we are always living in a democracy, even the populism is growing. And there is no doubt the Front National (not the National Front as written) has nothing to do with social. Their leaders has for main goal to lead France out of every system and contest the actual established World economy.
3
Hollande is one of those rare socialists who when handed power looks around carefully and realizes that his life and most deeply-held convictions have been one big Emily Litella riff.
“Never mind.”
Unchained, unregulated capitalism works, so long as you’re able to tolerate tenements with ten-to-a-room workhouse slaves. Unchained, over-regulated socialism works – for awhile -- so long as someone else is paying to defend the ideals by which you live. Mr. Sailliot’s communism has never existed in pure form and wherever SOME form of it has been tried it’s been a dismal failure (including Cuba, Vietnam, and North Korea).
Hollande can’t seem to get his legs under him to impose a saving measure of moderation, and Marine Le Pen offers an ideology that appears to be Hitler-meets-Lenin: the worst of ALL alternative worlds. Whoever can manage, as many hope Donald Trump can in America, to reinvigorate middle-class job creation of ANY kind will be declared French president-for-life.
Economic salvation for Europe, as well as for America, depends on carefully reviewing taxes and regulatory barriers to regain moderation, protecting people’s legitimate interests and paying necessary bills while incentivizing innovators and capital to risk. But “legitimate interests” don’t include a guaranteed sufficiency WITHOUT work. It’s MUCH more likely that America can save itself than France, where moderation of ANY kind may be won, if it’s won, with oceans of the blood of Frenchmen in the streets.
“Never mind.”
Unchained, unregulated capitalism works, so long as you’re able to tolerate tenements with ten-to-a-room workhouse slaves. Unchained, over-regulated socialism works – for awhile -- so long as someone else is paying to defend the ideals by which you live. Mr. Sailliot’s communism has never existed in pure form and wherever SOME form of it has been tried it’s been a dismal failure (including Cuba, Vietnam, and North Korea).
Hollande can’t seem to get his legs under him to impose a saving measure of moderation, and Marine Le Pen offers an ideology that appears to be Hitler-meets-Lenin: the worst of ALL alternative worlds. Whoever can manage, as many hope Donald Trump can in America, to reinvigorate middle-class job creation of ANY kind will be declared French president-for-life.
Economic salvation for Europe, as well as for America, depends on carefully reviewing taxes and regulatory barriers to regain moderation, protecting people’s legitimate interests and paying necessary bills while incentivizing innovators and capital to risk. But “legitimate interests” don’t include a guaranteed sufficiency WITHOUT work. It’s MUCH more likely that America can save itself than France, where moderation of ANY kind may be won, if it’s won, with oceans of the blood of Frenchmen in the streets.
11
"Mr. Sailliot’s communism has never existed in pure form and wherever SOME form of it has been tried it’s been a dismal failure (including Cuba, Vietnam, and North Korea)."
CHINA, 1.3 billion people, and not a dismal failure.
CHINA, 1.3 billion people, and not a dismal failure.
2
You forget the cultural revolution of Mao. Right now China is actually more like a fascist state than a communist one.
6
slack:
You must be very young. China NEVER was a pure communism and is very far from it today.
You must be very young. China NEVER was a pure communism and is very far from it today.
2
The danger the populist right poses is a return to pre WWI isolationism and nationalistic regionalism that will splinter the democratic west and make way for totalitarian regimes. Not to mention the likely ascension of, and world dominance by, China!
4
Yea, dominance by China would mean high speed rail lines everywhere, just the way it is in the PRC.
1
Its only called populism when its opposed by those in the minority, the elites who think they know whats best for the "masses". Others call it democracy working properly.
29
Adolf Hitler came to power through democratic process.
1
I would think that withdrawal from the EU would help. They would be out from under control by Germany and Merkel whose policies are slowly killing the EU.
What she did on refugees as made her a real target for opponents of the EU, to say nothing of her forcing austerity on the EU.
Each nation should be able to have policies to benefit their citizens, and not EU policies which often put countries at a disadvantage. The problems with the EU Structure are starting to show up in many members.
Populism is on the rise throughout the EU as a reaction to EU policies and rule by the Brussels Bureaucracy.
What she did on refugees as made her a real target for opponents of the EU, to say nothing of her forcing austerity on the EU.
Each nation should be able to have policies to benefit their citizens, and not EU policies which often put countries at a disadvantage. The problems with the EU Structure are starting to show up in many members.
Populism is on the rise throughout the EU as a reaction to EU policies and rule by the Brussels Bureaucracy.
17
You don't know much about the EU it seems. Germany controlling the EU is an uneducated British myth. At the moment there are 28 countries (27 after the spoilt brat UK finally leaves), each with a voice, vote and the capability to block things, and by god countries do make use of it (latest example see the EU-Canada trade agreement CETA, which was blocked by a miniscule region in Belgium. While Germany is often in a leadership role this is simply because it's the strongest EU country.
It should also be remembered that many ways for the EU to progress have been blocked by the UK, for example action against tax havens or against Chinese undercutting the steel industry. It also should be remembered that it was the UK who wanted accelerated EU membership for the former Eastern Block countries like Poland, Hungary or Czech Republic so that its industry had access to cheap labor.
It should also be remembered that many ways for the EU to progress have been blocked by the UK, for example action against tax havens or against Chinese undercutting the steel industry. It also should be remembered that it was the UK who wanted accelerated EU membership for the former Eastern Block countries like Poland, Hungary or Czech Republic so that its industry had access to cheap labor.
3
Be realistic! Look at what Brussels, and especially Merkel have tried to force on the EU member. Merkel tried to push through quota on immigrants and then fine every state who refused to take their quota. You don't think this is dictatorship speaheaded by Merkel? Well I do and I look at the EU which has now become a dictatorship.
7
Globalization of commerce is inevitable. If businesses don't go where they can produce cheaply they go out of business altogether. The problem in the West has been the inability of legislators to claw back, as they do with taxes, money that is needed to support the nation that provides the underpinning of corporate success in terms of infrastructure, roads, transportations, technology etc.
These faux elites talk about but don't support retraining or education. Legislators have done nothing but talk with respect to providing meaningful education for work. The emotional destruction of the average "working man" through lack of work is inversely mirrored by the bloating of the CEO sucking up the profits while feeling no moral obligation to the nation that made it possible.
The rise of populism is equal to the rising bile in those being ethically and morally abused by the capital class, who are the real "elites," not the poor substitute target of "legislator" who actually serve the capitalist and not the voter. The election of strongmen who claim they will solve the problem has never yet in history actually done that and it will fail again in our time.
Only cooperation in governance by all parties and the recognition by the super rich that they owe something to their community can right the moral wrong done when corporations rip off labor and keep more than 90% of the wealth created. Only the threat of their destruction stops corporations
These faux elites talk about but don't support retraining or education. Legislators have done nothing but talk with respect to providing meaningful education for work. The emotional destruction of the average "working man" through lack of work is inversely mirrored by the bloating of the CEO sucking up the profits while feeling no moral obligation to the nation that made it possible.
The rise of populism is equal to the rising bile in those being ethically and morally abused by the capital class, who are the real "elites," not the poor substitute target of "legislator" who actually serve the capitalist and not the voter. The election of strongmen who claim they will solve the problem has never yet in history actually done that and it will fail again in our time.
Only cooperation in governance by all parties and the recognition by the super rich that they owe something to their community can right the moral wrong done when corporations rip off labor and keep more than 90% of the wealth created. Only the threat of their destruction stops corporations
21
The workers don't have jobs unless you have employers. The nation or area has to be attractive to employers or those jobs can move. However, they haven't seen how BRothman can run a small business yet... maybe it's time to go for it?
3
"The election of strongmen who claim they will solve the problem has never yet in history actually done that..."
What a reckless statement!
The first contrary example that comes to mind is Juan
Peron, in Argentina. Many countries have benefited from strongmen in leadership.
What a reckless statement!
The first contrary example that comes to mind is Juan
Peron, in Argentina. Many countries have benefited from strongmen in leadership.
3
Bottom line is that domestic citizens are tiring of having their labor undercut by foreign workers, being paid much less. This is the grievance that is being felt not only in France but here in the US as well. People have to eat, put a roof over their heads and support their families somehow. The leaders must be reminded of this, often. The increase of the world's population requires that we enforce our immigration laws or be over run with foreigners, some with not so nice intentions.
60
JM--Since there are obviously fewer children, and fewer marriages, even, virtually every country will need new blood to support society from the ground up. Otherwise, the whole thing will just fall over. THIS is the reason for immigration support. A broader tax base, supported by reasonable social progressivism.
3
The increase in the world's population has increased demand for US agricultural products... and weapons.
Advances in technology are killing jobs. Put a wall around Silicon Valley...some evil nerds there.
Advances in technology are killing jobs. Put a wall around Silicon Valley...some evil nerds there.
3
Not biting this piece of cheese.
Interesting piece, but the writer makes a glaring error: M. Sailliot cannot vote for the Left Front candidate because there isn't one. Former Left Front candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon is running this time as an independent, and polling at 15%, even with or above the potential Socialist candidates. It would have been useful to mention his name, and then try to see how much support this old-school Leftist, formerly a Socialist, and very active in union-based worker issues, has among the workers of Pas de Calais (where he lost badly to Marine LePen in a legislative race there just 4 years ago). By simplifying his story Mr. Angelos has left out a significant piece of it.
1
I'll never forget in college being told by a business management professor that outsourcing was a good thing and had only benefits for us. He said those behind replaced would get new, better paying jobs as a result. I didn't believe it then and now I suppose he probably doesn't preach that lie anymore.
81
They still teach this at Harvard Business School.
13
the irony is that this is still taught and believed (even since it was taught beginning in the early 1980s)!!!
8
Precisely why the predictions of a certain op-ed columnist whose articles regular appear in this paper should generally be ignored...
4
Unfortunately for this pro-socialist writer, the article has been undercut by the Socialist primary Sunday. Recent French history has shown how a government of fools can destroy an economy. Hollande came to power having stated he "hated the rich." He then put in punitive tax rates which drive anyone with a spark, intelligence or desire to build something of value to leave the country. Therefore there was an exodus of the young to England, Canada, the US or elsewhere. Believe it or not, Hollande said that children should not do homework as work should not be done in the home. To ice the cake, rules were enacted to have employees refuse to look at emails outside work hours.
Sunday's primary result made the winner Benoit Hamon whose platform is simple enough: legal dope, 32 hour work week and $800 a month to each citizen whether they work or not. Paradise! Thus Hamon hopes to convince people that indolence leads to wealth.
The CGT is a small union which has its fingers on a number of important occupations in France, with no concern for the overall economy or the success of the country. Last spring this radical union led weekly marches for which there was so much destruction in Paris from the thugs breaking everything in sight that city government had to spend $250,000 weekly dismantling every thing along the march route from bus stops on. A French friend put it bluntly to me: the CGT people were not against the working conditions law, they were against work.
Sunday's primary result made the winner Benoit Hamon whose platform is simple enough: legal dope, 32 hour work week and $800 a month to each citizen whether they work or not. Paradise! Thus Hamon hopes to convince people that indolence leads to wealth.
The CGT is a small union which has its fingers on a number of important occupations in France, with no concern for the overall economy or the success of the country. Last spring this radical union led weekly marches for which there was so much destruction in Paris from the thugs breaking everything in sight that city government had to spend $250,000 weekly dismantling every thing along the march route from bus stops on. A French friend put it bluntly to me: the CGT people were not against the working conditions law, they were against work.
7
sftaxpayer--Most of us DO hate the rich. Not because they are rich, but because they have proven themselves to be totally socially irresponsible, and cravenly self-indulgent.
4
Hollande came to power having stated he "hated the rich." He then put in punitive tax rates which drive anyone with a spark, intelligence or desire to build something of value to leave the country.
the US has the one of the lowest personal income taxes in the developed world. Yet MEDIAN per capita incomes since the early 1980s (when the top rate fell from 90% to about a third) have not grown measurably compared to most of the developed world. CLearly, maximum tax rates are only a small part of this story.
the US has the one of the lowest personal income taxes in the developed world. Yet MEDIAN per capita incomes since the early 1980s (when the top rate fell from 90% to about a third) have not grown measurably compared to most of the developed world. CLearly, maximum tax rates are only a small part of this story.
5
And what has hatred of rich got anyone anything?
1
Until 1968, i.e. the Soviet invasion on Czechoslovakia and the fascist antisemitic ("anti-zionist") tack taken by the Polish ruling party, support for the Communists in France stayed at about 15 percent. This electorate moved to Jean-Marie Le Pen (father) who offered the welcome ideology of hatred. The difference between then and now is that the hateful wing of the left grew significantly, for reasons among which some seem to be, even if they are not, legitimate. Thus Trump, Orban (Hungary), Kaczyński (Poland), Farage (UK), Marine etc. The only defense, well tested for years in Eastern Europe, is "internal emigration", refusal to participate in public life. For Americans, it still sounds as a horror or nonsense, but it will look better three years into Trumpian rule.
"European social democrats have witnessed an extraordinary drop in support" because their policies aren't working. That simple. They are bad at what they do. They, like the modern Democratic Party, cater to career bureaucrats and well-connected professionals. For those people, free trade and financial liberalization is great because it primarily means lower prices on goods they consume but not make. Meanwhile working class people take on the negative consequences of these policies in terms of higher unemployment, asset bubbles, and less stability. They can even take on the veneer of liberalism by championing social policies that benefit them and their friends without any pesky economic downsides. This also allows them to present themselves as "good people" while decrying their opponents as all the "isms" and "phobes" they can come up with.
It's not working anymore. For heaven's sake, Hollande is the leader of France. If he was doing a great job then nobody would be talking about the National Front. The fact that the NF may be ascendant is as much a sign of the Socialists' failed governance as anything else. Obviously, for the Socialists and other "center-left" groups, the idea that their governing model and worldview may be fatally flawed is not something to be entertained.
It's not working anymore. For heaven's sake, Hollande is the leader of France. If he was doing a great job then nobody would be talking about the National Front. The fact that the NF may be ascendant is as much a sign of the Socialists' failed governance as anything else. Obviously, for the Socialists and other "center-left" groups, the idea that their governing model and worldview may be fatally flawed is not something to be entertained.
69
Obviously, for the Socialists and other "center-left" groups, the idea that their governing model and worldview may be fatally flawed is not something to be entertained.
its human nature to not think about what contradicts ones views.
its human nature to not think about what contradicts ones views.
1
If one culture is to be celebrated and emulated, best choose the most, rather than least, successful one.
1
A lot of the decisions about free trade are made by the capitalists and the corporations. They want low taxes, low wages, no regulation and a monopoly. The most Americans whether they are " professional" or not do not have a say in these decisions.
5
Reminds me of the 1930s, only this time the damage will not be so easily undone. Blaming everyone else has never proven to be profitable.
It's a shame immigrants get blamed for economic decline throughout the west. I suppose they add to the pool of people looking for a limited number of jobs, but the dwindling employment prospects are hardly their fault. I see automation as the number one factor that will create vast unemployment among all nationalities in the coming decades. Maybe then all working folks, locals and immigrants included, will choose political parties that focus on worker support, and the nationalist/xenophobic rhetoric will be obsolete.
Interesting article. That said, you can always count on the Economist and the NY Times to fall back on bashing social democracy and France, especially when they get a small opening of weakness.
In my experience the French are generally better informed than Americans, and are knowledgeable and curious enough to show up to vote. And they have 2 rounds of voting to get to the top 2. So they will not elect Le Pen. Time will tell.
In my experience the French are generally better informed than Americans, and are knowledgeable and curious enough to show up to vote. And they have 2 rounds of voting to get to the top 2. So they will not elect Le Pen. Time will tell.
7
The author's assertion that immigration policy shouldn't be of concern to small town voters is remarkably short-sighted. The future comes at you fast these days, as the German chancellor showed Europeans in 2015.
31
This is a wonderful, informative piece of journalism. Feels like the New York Times of old. French politics has always been confusing because of all the parties and the voting process. Mr Angelos does a wonderful job of explaining everything. When we cut through all the noise its amazing how much France seems like rust-belt America, stuck in a broader political union and not fully in control of its own destiny. Unless current economic and social trends change significantly for the better, its hard to see whats going to keep the EU together longer term.
10
Franck Salliot worked for a defunct manufacturer of writing paper. Was it an economic shift away from their product that killed the manufacturer or was it foreign competition? If it is competition LePen's closing the borders may help, if it is due to becoming unnecessary closing borders won't.
In the US manufacturing is declining due to international competition. The problem with closing borders is that manufacturers can robotize and either way their will be fewer jobs.
Closing borders seems an attractive solution, but if it leads to overall stagnation the entire national economy will suffer.
Immigration and sheltering refugees are separate problems.
In the US manufacturing is declining due to international competition. The problem with closing borders is that manufacturers can robotize and either way their will be fewer jobs.
Closing borders seems an attractive solution, but if it leads to overall stagnation the entire national economy will suffer.
Immigration and sheltering refugees are separate problems.
The place where the far right and the far left meet and blend together has a name - revolution. The desire to breakdown the old order to create their vision for the future is more powerful than their differences in defining what that vision will look like.
We saw this here in America when many Bernie Sanders supporters voted for a Green or Libertarian or simply sat out the election out of spite resulting in the election of Trump. To the far left in America, a wrecking ball, even if it is from the right, will speed up the revolution they desire. It seems that many former socialists in France, feeling betrayed and seeking the security of the past, are willing to risk the same.
However, it is much easier to tear something down than to agree on how to build it up again and the process of tearing it down creates many unintentioned losers as we may soon find out as Trump initiates a trade war with Mexico over NAFTA. Global capitalism may have reached its limits but we will need the principles of socialism and democracy to ensure that what replaces it does not resemble Putin's Russia.
We saw this here in America when many Bernie Sanders supporters voted for a Green or Libertarian or simply sat out the election out of spite resulting in the election of Trump. To the far left in America, a wrecking ball, even if it is from the right, will speed up the revolution they desire. It seems that many former socialists in France, feeling betrayed and seeking the security of the past, are willing to risk the same.
However, it is much easier to tear something down than to agree on how to build it up again and the process of tearing it down creates many unintentioned losers as we may soon find out as Trump initiates a trade war with Mexico over NAFTA. Global capitalism may have reached its limits but we will need the principles of socialism and democracy to ensure that what replaces it does not resemble Putin's Russia.
10
The closing of the paper mill might be a very good example of an inability to deal effectively with change. The advent of electronic communications, media, and information storage clearly spells a downward slide in demand for paper. France, like the U.S., is failing to address rapid change and, like the U.S., is receptive to an appeal that identifies easy targets to blame and promises easy fixes. It really requires more creative leadership, but that has always been in short supply. Thus, the easier substitution of charismatic leadership. It doesn't bode well since these dynamics usually end catastrophically.
3
Once upon a time the Dems were about things that matter like the environment, the rights of the working class and women's health. Today the Dems all over the world are globalists concerned with "issues" that most people don't care about. So they demonize the working class as bigots because we don't like seeing women covered in shrouds, don't agree with the trans agenda and dislike the concept of open borders and lowered wages.
36
My beloved France: WAKE UP!!!
5
This is an important topic. Why does the Times report on it have to be book length? How many readers trudged to the end?
9
I can't say that I agree. In fact I appreciated the depth of the article. I am tired of "articles" in the times that have all the gravitas of a comic book.
6
It's called professional journalism and that's why I'm a daily reader of the NYT.
7
Brush up on your reading skills. I read it in 10 minutes.
1
Politicians will ALWAYS (almost) identify themselves however necessary in order to get elected - it's the nature of politics.
What I don't understand is how or why citizens of any democratic nation with choices (and free thought) keep expecting or blaming politicians for jobs or lack thereof - because their father or grandfather had this or that job. The world HAS changed - it's not going back - if it went back we'd have to take back every other thing that existed at the time - that's throwing away many great things...including their own present children, grandchildren etc whom they all claim they want "better things for" or do they? Stasis helps no one.
Everyone does need jobs but today's economy does require different jobs! Lean on politicians not to bring back jobs that aren't coming back (they aren't!) but instead get them to at least encourage people somehow that yes, it's good & ok to undertake new jobs. Maybe educate people a little towards this idea because traditions require sea-changes in thoughts.
This might then help us all avoid being conned by self serving, manipulative, flip- flopping politicians (ok not all are like this!) whose only agenda is their legacy, donors & cronies. You want to lead people? Give them a path back to a proud way of life - their not asking for much - just the chance to get a decent job somewhere. That's an opportunity voters ought to be able to expect, if they are making all the right moves.
What I don't understand is how or why citizens of any democratic nation with choices (and free thought) keep expecting or blaming politicians for jobs or lack thereof - because their father or grandfather had this or that job. The world HAS changed - it's not going back - if it went back we'd have to take back every other thing that existed at the time - that's throwing away many great things...including their own present children, grandchildren etc whom they all claim they want "better things for" or do they? Stasis helps no one.
Everyone does need jobs but today's economy does require different jobs! Lean on politicians not to bring back jobs that aren't coming back (they aren't!) but instead get them to at least encourage people somehow that yes, it's good & ok to undertake new jobs. Maybe educate people a little towards this idea because traditions require sea-changes in thoughts.
This might then help us all avoid being conned by self serving, manipulative, flip- flopping politicians (ok not all are like this!) whose only agenda is their legacy, donors & cronies. You want to lead people? Give them a path back to a proud way of life - their not asking for much - just the chance to get a decent job somewhere. That's an opportunity voters ought to be able to expect, if they are making all the right moves.
7
Free. Public. Education.
2
A # of things have gone wrong with the left, worldwide. One involves the impact of automation, which has had a devastating impact on many segments on labour but for which no party has a solution. Another problem is globalization, something the left has been a proud proponent of. The left has also been a "champion" of multi-culturalism and immigration, something that the "working class" is opposed to for a number of reasons (i.e., impact on wages, cultural suicide of nation, the fact that this will lead to US-style affirmative action programs that will have a negative impact on labour, etc.). The left of late has also been quite derisive of nationalism, religion, something that the working class is not too happy about. The left has also been very dismissive of non-intellectual work thus insulting this group too.
Is it any wonder it is in trouble?
Is it any wonder it is in trouble?
73
Only the Left would insist that the solution to an oversupply of labor - which inexorably leads to lower wages - is to import even more labor to the tune of one million more workers every year for decades upon decades.
10
FSM, the right also believes the same about more labor leading to higher wages. Just look at the Chicago school's views. Friedman emphasized emphatically always his views that more immigration would lead to higher wages in the US and benefits to the common laborer.
2
Seen from this side of the Channel it appears to be a miracle that France works at all. There is a more than bloated state sector in which it is unclear what, if anything, many of the employees do, the unions seem all powerful, capable by means legal and criminal of bringing the country to a standstill at any time, workers in the private sector appear unsackable (they are "cupboardised" if truly hopeless), and large numbers retire on handsome pensions at the ludicrous age of 60 or 62. (Annoyingly this army of youthful pensioners clog up the entire Riviera from May to October).Do not even mention working hours and duration of paid vacations. Total unemployment has remained stuck for over a decade at an unacceptable level, and masks the alarming joblessness of young people who have not been fortunate enough to get on the gravy train of their elders. Attempt at fundamental reform is consistently blocked by vested interests. The culture does not seem to promote entrepreneurial ambition, which might explain why, on one estimate, there are now, despite the weather, close to 300,000 French nationals in London, more than in Bordeaux.
37
Like the Great Liberator of Iraq is once supposed to have said (though it is a false popular attribution), "the problem with the French is that they don't have a word for entrepreneur". And boy, was he right!
It's odd though that entrepreneurial Britain, home of the Economist, the City, wealth/job creators and class peace started the neoliberal revolution in the 1980s and yet took all the way until 2015 to barely surpass the sclerotic, morose, always on the verge of death, dynamite-laden baguette case (to reference the famous Economist cover) neighbor across the Channel in GDP! How odd! One would have surely thought that the nation of financial deregulation, shaky loans, and Zero-Hour jobs should have surpassed the Gallic USSR much earlier, no?
It's odd though that entrepreneurial Britain, home of the Economist, the City, wealth/job creators and class peace started the neoliberal revolution in the 1980s and yet took all the way until 2015 to barely surpass the sclerotic, morose, always on the verge of death, dynamite-laden baguette case (to reference the famous Economist cover) neighbor across the Channel in GDP! How odd! One would have surely thought that the nation of financial deregulation, shaky loans, and Zero-Hour jobs should have surpassed the Gallic USSR much earlier, no?
11
In the 60s, the idea of automation was that machines would do the work so that humans wouldn't have to. In the Jetsons cartoon, George Jetson complained about his 10 hour work week. We were all supposed to do the work that machines couldn't do, and since there was less of it, we'd all work less. So what happened? The French are at least trying to do it right. Everyone works less, and theoretically, everyone is employed. The rest of us? We're not even trying. The few lucky ones, and I do mean lucky, get the few full-time skilled jobs, while millions of college graduates work at Starbucks serving coffee.
12
The country you describe sure sounds terrible, a real train wreck. But funny thing is, it doesn't much sound like France. Maybe check your date? Or your attitude?
1
Looking at the US and Europe is like watching the events leading to a train wreck in slow motion. The cause are obvious, a declining middle and working class in an increasing number of countries, and the cause of that is also obvious, which is rampant globalization. As the middle and working class shrinks the lower and upper classes increase in size, and the flow of income and wealth to the upper classes long ago reached obscene levels. Now the 8 richest people in the world own as much wealth as the bottom half of the global population.
If inequality were benign we could just claim that it is somehow unfair, but it isn’t, it truly is destroying the foundations upon which stable democracies are based, which is a thriving middle and working class. The middle class provides a way for others to better their lives for themselves, their families and their communities. Europe has had to deal with a double whammy of increasing globalization as well as austerity, and now we will witness the results of what that has been sown.
If inequality were benign we could just claim that it is somehow unfair, but it isn’t, it truly is destroying the foundations upon which stable democracies are based, which is a thriving middle and working class. The middle class provides a way for others to better their lives for themselves, their families and their communities. Europe has had to deal with a double whammy of increasing globalization as well as austerity, and now we will witness the results of what that has been sown.
63
The leadership of both social democrat and center-left parties have more in common culturally with rich fund managers, rich media company managers, economically protected professors and senior bureaucrats, and well-off doctors and lawyers than they do with construction workers, garbage collectors, energy workers, factory workers, small business owners, and nurses.
This new economic / professional / media / government elite in truth forms a New Aristocracy. They have retained old cultural habits, like marriage, and raising children in 2-parent households, while telling the bottom 80% that it is good to engage in self-destructive, anti-family behaviors. They protect each other's jobs, arrange for government subsidies for each other's sectors, network their children into the best schools and their spouses into the few remaining good paying jobs, and wall off their residential areas. They use free trade to ship manufacturing to low-wage countries, regulation that hits small business opportunities and the energy and manufacturing sectors, "public education" campaigns to leave the lower classes stuck in 3rd rate schools in separate ZIP codes, and open borders to encourage low-paid competition for what domestic jobs remain.
The New Aristocracy profits from growth in Emerging Markets while buying off the votes of the bottom 30% with modest transfer payments, and isolating and impoverishing the middle 50%. The New Aristocracy subscribes to the NYT and WaPo and vice versa.
This new economic / professional / media / government elite in truth forms a New Aristocracy. They have retained old cultural habits, like marriage, and raising children in 2-parent households, while telling the bottom 80% that it is good to engage in self-destructive, anti-family behaviors. They protect each other's jobs, arrange for government subsidies for each other's sectors, network their children into the best schools and their spouses into the few remaining good paying jobs, and wall off their residential areas. They use free trade to ship manufacturing to low-wage countries, regulation that hits small business opportunities and the energy and manufacturing sectors, "public education" campaigns to leave the lower classes stuck in 3rd rate schools in separate ZIP codes, and open borders to encourage low-paid competition for what domestic jobs remain.
The New Aristocracy profits from growth in Emerging Markets while buying off the votes of the bottom 30% with modest transfer payments, and isolating and impoverishing the middle 50%. The New Aristocracy subscribes to the NYT and WaPo and vice versa.
113
Where are these protected professorships? More like 1-year contracts to go around
3
They are banding together for their own protection against the masses. One big gated community.
5
Frank, you nailed it! Piercing summary of the inconvenient truth in the US today.
5
The French are a strange bunch. Much as they try on the exterior appear to cheer for and champion liberty and 'dignity' for all, underneath the facade of all that hip self-promotion there is a much less wonderful snide side which too often shows it's uglier need to bully others. After all, historically, look at how abhorrently they treated Van Gogh. No thanks.
3
Neither the desperate unemployed French workers quoted in this excellent article nor the similarly unhappy and confused commenters understand the nature of the world crisis we are all confronting. Two BILLION new workers have been dumped on the world market in the last century. The basic problem is the runaway increase in world population. And it's continuing. Unbelievably, it is now calculated that still ANOTHER two billion unhappy people will join the miserable workforce before the end of the present century. But neither poor fools like the workers who want to "Fire the stockholders" or President Trump who wants to penalize firms who buy from abroad have any idea how deep the problem goes. The only truly practical solution is the Chinese one; penalties for any couples having more than one child. And not just in one country; worldwide. Incredibly radical, but what other measure will work?
2
We know a few things about the "social democracy" concept, but primarily we know that it doesn't work. From Venezuela to Brazil to India to France. It's a wonderful utopian concept, but sooner or later, you run out of "other people's money." We also know, your best and brightest will flee for economies that value and reward individual achievement. Thus robbing the society of future opportunities to grow the GDP. What is left is the smoldering mess of those who want free stuff, less work and elite leftist journalists who by ink by the barrel. This group becomes protected by fiscally corrupt politicians who cling to their jobs with a serious of toilet bowl decisions that only make the reality worse.
Not sure why this is so difficult that it has to be relearned on a regular basis. The most recent "Bern" crowd being the latest incarnation.
Not sure why this is so difficult that it has to be relearned on a regular basis. The most recent "Bern" crowd being the latest incarnation.
24
Social democracy is not socialism. The Golden Age of Capitalism that Trump, Le Pen, and everyone else wants to return to was the age of social democracy.
In America where worker's rights and social rights to life and education were never guaranteed, you may not know this distinction, but for those who have benefited from social democracy over the past century, they surely do.
In America where worker's rights and social rights to life and education were never guaranteed, you may not know this distinction, but for those who have benefited from social democracy over the past century, they surely do.
7
@Un - if you consider a GDP that grows at 1% a good year and being on the "last" list of developed countries that a corporation would start a business one of these benefits, then I agree. Social democracy is just another buzz word for a creeping, slow rot form of socialism that takes a bit longer to destroy the industry of a nation. France might wake up in the next 20 years, but it might be too late.
Your understanding of Trumps plans to negotiate our trade deals better and make it more difficult to offshore jobs is a bit shallow. Keep paying attention though, socialists are always a bit slow on the uptake.
Your understanding of Trumps plans to negotiate our trade deals better and make it more difficult to offshore jobs is a bit shallow. Keep paying attention though, socialists are always a bit slow on the uptake.
2
I'm afraid that you are hopelessly misinformed. Here in the US even your conservative politicians are considered socialist.
Dear France:
You have always maintained a fierce independence in the face of pressure from both the United States and Russia. In the past French citizens have supported French governments that actually said no to the United States, much to the chagrin of various US Presidents. We have for decades been contentious, but steady allies.
In your up coming election you have a clear choice. Maintain the fierce independence for which the French have always been known. Reject Marine Le Pen and the National Front which is funded and supported by the Putin Regime in Russia. Don't do what the US has done and elect a leader who is so clearly under Putin's thumb. Don't trade a leadership position in the EU for vassalage under an increasingly powerful Russian led coalition. To be brief, don't elect a puppet more committed to Russia's agenda and best interests than your own. Don't make the same mistake the US has made.
French philosophers laid the ground work for democracy and human rights. Don't betray that history by electing a person whose sponsor believes in neither.
Sincerely,
54% of American Voters
You have always maintained a fierce independence in the face of pressure from both the United States and Russia. In the past French citizens have supported French governments that actually said no to the United States, much to the chagrin of various US Presidents. We have for decades been contentious, but steady allies.
In your up coming election you have a clear choice. Maintain the fierce independence for which the French have always been known. Reject Marine Le Pen and the National Front which is funded and supported by the Putin Regime in Russia. Don't do what the US has done and elect a leader who is so clearly under Putin's thumb. Don't trade a leadership position in the EU for vassalage under an increasingly powerful Russian led coalition. To be brief, don't elect a puppet more committed to Russia's agenda and best interests than your own. Don't make the same mistake the US has made.
French philosophers laid the ground work for democracy and human rights. Don't betray that history by electing a person whose sponsor believes in neither.
Sincerely,
54% of American Voters
23
Reject Marine Le Pen and the National Front which is funded and supported by the Putin Regime in Russia.
very true but many of Le Pen's opponents are nothing more than US cronies who, in all probability, have been receiving money from the US (just like the US has funded parties of the right in many European elections such as those in Italy and Greece and Portugal since the second world war). Putin is not the only one playing this game.
Hopefully US and Russian interference in France's election will cancel themselves out and the candidate actually reflecting France's voters views comes to power (even if it is Le Pen).
very true but many of Le Pen's opponents are nothing more than US cronies who, in all probability, have been receiving money from the US (just like the US has funded parties of the right in many European elections such as those in Italy and Greece and Portugal since the second world war). Putin is not the only one playing this game.
Hopefully US and Russian interference in France's election will cancel themselves out and the candidate actually reflecting France's voters views comes to power (even if it is Le Pen).
2
Marine le Pen was briefly dubbed "Trumpette" by theEconomist, the British news Magazine. Unfortunately, the name was later purged from its pages. It deserves to be revived. Laughter is the best antidote, as Charlie Hebdo well knows.
5
Why is it that the NY Times doesn't get better reporting on Europe? This is all propaganda and rubbish. France has a socialist in office, and you're fascist-baiting their voters as future Le Pen supporters? Are you kidding? Look at your president, please, and then get back to us when Le Pen is roundly defeated.
I can't believe you even cited an "analysis" from The Economist. Doesn't the Economist champion the neoliberal ideology that won the British Conservatives so much power they had to pretend to oppose the EU to the point that their voters actually voted for Brexit?! They had it so good, free international capital flows, the world's largest tax haven right in the city of London, and with the highest inequality of any European nation. Too much of a good thing it seems, and now they're just praying the Supreme Court keeps them from following through...
Keep touting your right-wing ideology before your illiterate, untravelled masses!
I can't believe you even cited an "analysis" from The Economist. Doesn't the Economist champion the neoliberal ideology that won the British Conservatives so much power they had to pretend to oppose the EU to the point that their voters actually voted for Brexit?! They had it so good, free international capital flows, the world's largest tax haven right in the city of London, and with the highest inequality of any European nation. Too much of a good thing it seems, and now they're just praying the Supreme Court keeps them from following through...
Keep touting your right-wing ideology before your illiterate, untravelled masses!
58
No kidding. Although "...illiterate, untravelled masses" is a bit harsh.
2
You should have a look at your current president's excoriating account of socialism in France.
Yes, a disgraced Socialist, François Hollande, who is historically one of the most unpopular leaders France has ever had, the putative head of a party with a Euro-Chavista wing that calls Americans Etats-uniens and admires Putin, and another one that calls us Américains and prefers a strong, cohesive NATO. Look, I often support the Socialist Party in France, but no one can deny that it is now more disunited and in disarray. And some of its politicians are quasi-Stalinists.
When I read comments that referred to the "postindustrial world ", I wonder here the commentors think all that stuff comes from . I'm referring to the cars, the toaster ovens , the televisions, and all the rest of the material goods we use every day. These are made in factories. The factories are staffed by workers. Why do many people seem to believe that Americans, and Europeans, R incapable of manufacturing these items? Once again, we need to remember that these jobs no longer exist because they have been outsourced to slave labor an Asian countries with no environmental regulations. Once again, we need to ask why we should continue to accept this.
140
Maybe you want to research a little more when referring to environmental regulations when the US is the number country on CO2 emissions worldwide.
It is true that European and US citizens can make all they need. But in that case it is only fair to ask the companies from both Europe and the US to withdraw from the developing countries they have installed themselves to exploit their resources and sell to you for cheaper. Forget about an affordable varied diet or vehicle. It is unfortunate how people from developed countries have this sense of entitlement when they actively or passively contributed to world destabilisation and unequal distribution of wealth.
It is true that European and US citizens can make all they need. But in that case it is only fair to ask the companies from both Europe and the US to withdraw from the developing countries they have installed themselves to exploit their resources and sell to you for cheaper. Forget about an affordable varied diet or vehicle. It is unfortunate how people from developed countries have this sense of entitlement when they actively or passively contributed to world destabilisation and unequal distribution of wealth.
it's more complicated. Technology/automation has eliminated many industrial and even service jobs. Remember telephone receptionists? Much of the "stuff" that continues to be manufactured in advanced capitalist economies is made with much less (low skilled) human labor. Yet Germany still has many "blue collar" jobs through better education/training, investment, and firms that are "loyal" to the homeland.
Some Asian competitors rely on exploited labor, but many do not (e.g. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore). But they are serious competitors who do manipulate currencies and put up non-tariff barriers. This must be addressed, but not through wholesale demolition.
Some Asian competitors rely on exploited labor, but many do not (e.g. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore). But they are serious competitors who do manipulate currencies and put up non-tariff barriers. This must be addressed, but not through wholesale demolition.
2
It isn't that Americans and/or Europeans are incapable of manufacturing these items. But we expect a standard of living that competitive wages for those jobs would never support.
2
So it will be another world war, or a crescendo of conflicts, like the the 1930s. The Spanish Civil War is analagous to Syria. The Ango-German arms race parallels the Sino-American naval escalations.
War Production will provide national manufacturing renewal and growth.
The casualties will reduce unemployment.
But if we really look hard isn't this what Clauswitz saw :that "(war) always starts from a political condition".?
And to those (according to Clauswitz) " whoever, stirred by ambition, undertakes such a task, let him prepare himself for his pious undertaking as for a long pilgrimage; let him give up his time, spare no sacrifice, fear no temporal rank or power, and rise above all feelings of personal vanity, of false shame, in order, according to the French code, to speak " the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth."
War Production will provide national manufacturing renewal and growth.
The casualties will reduce unemployment.
But if we really look hard isn't this what Clauswitz saw :that "(war) always starts from a political condition".?
And to those (according to Clauswitz) " whoever, stirred by ambition, undertakes such a task, let him prepare himself for his pious undertaking as for a long pilgrimage; let him give up his time, spare no sacrifice, fear no temporal rank or power, and rise above all feelings of personal vanity, of false shame, in order, according to the French code, to speak " the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth."
I don't know why NYT didn't save my comment. LePen is NOT "right wing", as the writer points out. (At least not compared to US political parties.) It is inaccurate to call it "right wing", but publications continue to do so in order to discredit Le Pen and similar parties and movements that dare to represent the interests of ordinary citizens instead of the global elite.
18
The problems in France and the United States are virtually the same: the political parties who once served the interests of the working class and ordinary citizens have been taken over by an elite class content to do the bidding of the ultra-wealthy.
For decades the Democrats (here) and the Socialists (there) have allowed the anger in rust belts among those who can't find work with a living wage to fester without doing anything significant to turn the tide that ca washi away a healthy society.
Did France have a genuine "populist" President candidate like Bernie Sanders in its recent history? And did the Socialist party's power brokers do everything they could to defeat him or her?
Now the chickens are coming home to roost in leaders like Donald Trump who may prove to be disastrous for democracy and civil society.
And this is only the beginning. the citizens of Greece, Spain and Italy are also hurting badly, usually from policies forced on them by the banks and the rich.
Meanwhile, although media attention has waned, Europe continues to be inundated by thousands of refugees from wars and famine and destitution in Africa and the Middle East.
I used to have a button that declared "Chicken Little Was Right."
It may be time to get that out again.
For decades the Democrats (here) and the Socialists (there) have allowed the anger in rust belts among those who can't find work with a living wage to fester without doing anything significant to turn the tide that ca washi away a healthy society.
Did France have a genuine "populist" President candidate like Bernie Sanders in its recent history? And did the Socialist party's power brokers do everything they could to defeat him or her?
Now the chickens are coming home to roost in leaders like Donald Trump who may prove to be disastrous for democracy and civil society.
And this is only the beginning. the citizens of Greece, Spain and Italy are also hurting badly, usually from policies forced on them by the banks and the rich.
Meanwhile, although media attention has waned, Europe continues to be inundated by thousands of refugees from wars and famine and destitution in Africa and the Middle East.
I used to have a button that declared "Chicken Little Was Right."
It may be time to get that out again.
26
Could the problem be that there are simply not enough jobs that need doing to employ all the people we have? Up through the 19th century economic growth required human labor, which needed lots of people. Automation in the 20th century changed that paradigm, with the result that "essential" work can be done with many fewer people. If you don't work, you don't get paid, but there is no need for most people to work. I don't see how any government is going to solve that problem.
43
This is a big part of why one of the socialist candidates made it to the second round of primary voting on a "universal minimum revenue" platform.
1
By not importing yet another million people every year, many of whom use extensive social services and are a burden to the taxpayers?
Nah, that would never work.
Nah, that would never work.
3
Nationalism is another word for tribalism. These are the major causes for World War I AND II. Good. luck with that folks. The war after that will be fought with sticks and stones (someone said that , but I forget who it was).
2
Can you explain your country's current obsession with identity politics and how it differs from tribalism? Thanks
8
@Monsieur Panglossian
Insightful comment, but one slight tweak. You are correct in identifying the existence of neo-tribalism in the guise of identity politics as a problem, but it is *not* a country-wide obsession. It is an obsession that the Democratic Party owns...
Insightful comment, but one slight tweak. You are correct in identifying the existence of neo-tribalism in the guise of identity politics as a problem, but it is *not* a country-wide obsession. It is an obsession that the Democratic Party owns...
3
Truly a great piece of journalism. Thank you. Perfectly captures the evolving mood and allegiances of the french popular left. To best comprehend the french election a matrix with two principal set of views can be helpful : protectionist vs globalist from an economy view point, and liberal vs conservative on a societal view point, With the 4 main candidates Filion( globalist conservative) , le Pen( protectionist conservative), Macron ( globalist liberal), Melenchon (protectionist liberal ) each offering a mix of of those concepts. What is very interesting and make the election unpredictable is the electorate is roughly split 50 % on those two key view point paving the way of a uncertain election. Furthermore the winning candidate will have to govern with his positions truly shared by roughly 25 % of the electorate which might prove troublesome in famously (and quite truthfully) unruly France.
9
Interesting matrix, but of course there are 5--not 4--major candidates, with Hamon (?) in the global/liberal box (but not easily confused with Macron). My own suspicion is that there is great overlap between Hamon and Melenchon supporters, enough to put a combined, truly Left candidacy into the 2nd round and then the Elysee--but personal histories and rancors will never permit it. Thus the Left, which might still have a winning plurality, will split into 2 small shares, finishing in 4th and 5th place.
"But as in the United States, where Rust Belt voters no longer embrace the Democratic Party, these workers have increasingly lost faith in the parties of the left."
But I have a question:
The NYT just described one of Trump's statements as a "lie", and put it in a news piece on its front page. The Times of course did not do that when President Obama's promise in selling the ACA ("you can keep your plans, keep your doctors") turned out to be, well, a "lie."
Do you think then that Le Monde will now print on its front page, concerned as it is with the :rising populist sentiment" in the French rust belt, that President Hollande "lied"?
But I have a question:
The NYT just described one of Trump's statements as a "lie", and put it in a news piece on its front page. The Times of course did not do that when President Obama's promise in selling the ACA ("you can keep your plans, keep your doctors") turned out to be, well, a "lie."
Do you think then that Le Monde will now print on its front page, concerned as it is with the :rising populist sentiment" in the French rust belt, that President Hollande "lied"?
29
The NYTs use of inflammatory headlines is most discouraging.
4
As a Democrat, I would like to see Democrats get past their simplistic view of immigration, which (whether intended or not) comes across as "If you don't support unrestricted immigration you are against Mexicans and Muslims. You are racist and an 'Islamaphobe.'"
Can't we acknowledge that we need smarter immigration policies? Can't we acknowledge that when immigration is handled badly it can indeed be linked to negative economic outcomes, not just for the American working class but also the middle class. It can also be linked to bad outcomes for our domestic security.
It's not politically correct to say all this, which is why it's hard for the progressive left to acknowledge. Unfortunately, It's much easier to shout "racist!" at the right wing and draw the battle lines.
Can't we acknowledge that we need smarter immigration policies? Can't we acknowledge that when immigration is handled badly it can indeed be linked to negative economic outcomes, not just for the American working class but also the middle class. It can also be linked to bad outcomes for our domestic security.
It's not politically correct to say all this, which is why it's hard for the progressive left to acknowledge. Unfortunately, It's much easier to shout "racist!" at the right wing and draw the battle lines.
291
Excellent comment that reflects why the Democrats lost the election. Hillary had no clue what and why working and middle class people were not singing from her hymn sheet. Worse she didn't try to find out and labeled them deplorables. She played to the celebs and the Metro elites and rolled out the old bromides of the New Deal, New Frontier and Great Society. The US has moved on since then and so has the world. The center left parties need to know the situation on the ground and come up with real language and polices that people trust. The Democratic Party hasn't moved on, nor has the UK Labour Party nor the Socialist in France. That failure has resulted in a crass (at best) billionaire speaking to average man and woman more than Hillary, UKIP increasing replacing Labour in working class areas and the National Front on the verge of a big breakthrough. Similar things are happening in Italy, the Netherlands and even Germany. The Democrats if they are to have a future in two or fours years time must ditch political correctness and get real in action and language.
11
(whether intended or not)
Intended
Intended
1
I think it comes down to the economy, really. Immigrants, legal and illegal, buy things. They produce things. Like it or not they are a sizable factor in our economy. So does it make sense to spend money removing these people when our economy is just barely above water? It's not an easy question. I agree we need better policies, or at least enforcement of the ones in place, but this should be a slow approach and be mindful of where were headed, not where we came from.
There are two ways of viewing the current splintering of the European Union:
the value of the original joint objectives, trade and cooperation; and the overzealous power grab of partial issues by the bloated EU Bureaucracy.
Ten years after World War II, the idea of economic growth and peace through cooperation was establish, and the hasn't been a War within Europe for over 70 years. Also, by banding together to impose economic sanctions on Russia, they had begun to, at least, counter Putin's aggression.
What seems to be irking many Europeans is the heavy-handed way in which the Union has been interfering with, what should be, minor cross-border disputed. Correcting problems at the lowest level of resistance is generally the most effective way to do so.
The E. U. should re-structure and downsize, rather than disband. Otherwise, Russia might attempt an end-run, nation-by-nation, just as another Imperialist-minded psycho tried some 70 years ago. Their strength in unity!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
the value of the original joint objectives, trade and cooperation; and the overzealous power grab of partial issues by the bloated EU Bureaucracy.
Ten years after World War II, the idea of economic growth and peace through cooperation was establish, and the hasn't been a War within Europe for over 70 years. Also, by banding together to impose economic sanctions on Russia, they had begun to, at least, counter Putin's aggression.
What seems to be irking many Europeans is the heavy-handed way in which the Union has been interfering with, what should be, minor cross-border disputed. Correcting problems at the lowest level of resistance is generally the most effective way to do so.
The E. U. should re-structure and downsize, rather than disband. Otherwise, Russia might attempt an end-run, nation-by-nation, just as another Imperialist-minded psycho tried some 70 years ago. Their strength in unity!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
5
The French love their social benefits (rightly) - they know that on the current trajectory these benefits are unsustainable.
The EU globalists put Europe in this predicament by implementing immigration policies that are frankly extreme. Imagine accepting 1M immigrants in a country of 80M in roughly a year like Germany did. Is everyone who feels uncomfortable about that really a bigot? There needs to be political space for people who to express these opinions without being labeled as bigots. It doesn't exist and so Le Pen is the natural consequence.
The EU globalists put Europe in this predicament by implementing immigration policies that are frankly extreme. Imagine accepting 1M immigrants in a country of 80M in roughly a year like Germany did. Is everyone who feels uncomfortable about that really a bigot? There needs to be political space for people who to express these opinions without being labeled as bigots. It doesn't exist and so Le Pen is the natural consequence.
150
The social benefits in Europe, particularly in France and in the UK, arises from the economic surplus they get from their ex-colonies. The French only left North Africa in the late 1960s. It is therefore natural to expect immigration from these countries to Europe. If the Europeans as did Trump supporters in the US, do not want immigration and want more stable jobs and less competition, then it is only fair that their companies leave the developing countries where they have set up and exploited resources from to bring back to their home countries. Have a more limited economy and market, but leave other countries alone to their devices. Alternatively, they accept openly their neo-colonialist approach to the economy.
1
As is Trump.
Thanks for that, Lefties.
Thanks for that, Lefties.
3
@Lee
The EU will be on the ash heap within a decade.
Ultimately, trying to stitch together so many nations with such long-standing and deep differences culturally will force too many in too short a time to stitch together unique and wonderful (if different) ways of life.
The larger the number of governed, the more challenged the government.
The EU will be on the ash heap within a decade.
Ultimately, trying to stitch together so many nations with such long-standing and deep differences culturally will force too many in too short a time to stitch together unique and wonderful (if different) ways of life.
The larger the number of governed, the more challenged the government.
1
The Anglo world falls to a bout of right wing populism, international liberals will mostly shrug. If the darling of the global and multiculturalist liberalism, France, falls liberals will be more despondent than ever.
3
France has never been multiculturalist. The French Republic is integrationist at least, or even assimilationist. Its failures with integrating/assimilating Muslims is one of the main reasons for the rise of the FN.
But multiculturalist, no. In fact, French politicians left and right often decry multiculturalism, known as "communitarisme" in France. If you're looking for gender segregated public accommodations (university classes, municipal pools, etc.), you'll find plenty more of those in the Anglo world (especially the U.K. and Canada) than you will in France.
But multiculturalist, no. In fact, French politicians left and right often decry multiculturalism, known as "communitarisme" in France. If you're looking for gender segregated public accommodations (university classes, municipal pools, etc.), you'll find plenty more of those in the Anglo world (especially the U.K. and Canada) than you will in France.
3
While quite lengthy, I found that the hour or so that it took for me to read James Angelos' carefully crafted article quite enlightening. For me, personally, terms like "nativist, nationalist, and cultural preservation" will always carry a smelly whiff of the atmosphere that is so prevalent of "White Supremacy." Other than that, these "would-be worker" citizens have my deepest sympathy and are not "extreme."
9
France: look to the US. The unfolding horror of the Trump government will upend Marine LePen.
6
I hope not. The two are not the same.
France's problems start with its membership of the euro. The southern European nations need to pull out. France could not devalue its currency, as it had in the past when the economy got into trouble. It was forced to lower wages and cut spending. This increased their indebtedness in real terms and made it more difficult to pay back what they owed. The result was that they were unable to dig themselves out of the hole. Had it maintained floating exchange rates their problems would have been less severe.
The Germans benefit from the euro because it makes their exports 25% cheaper. They run the euro zone and they like austerity. Austerity has proved disastrous for many southern European countries.
The Germans benefit from the euro because it makes their exports 25% cheaper. They run the euro zone and they like austerity. Austerity has proved disastrous for many southern European countries.
54
The European Union is a French experiment and a French geopolitical construct, designed to boost French influence in Europe while making sure France is still taken seriously abroad. France is not in the same situation like Italy, Spain, and Greece because it still possesses the financial might to stave off economic failure. France needs to decide if it is comfortable with mass unemployment in order to sustain socialist ideals, or if it is ready and able to endure harder workweeks in order to stave off future economic malaise.
Germany choose a freer market and did not suffer as badly relative to the debt-ridden Southern European nations. Why is it that France cannot go the same way?
Germany choose a freer market and did not suffer as badly relative to the debt-ridden Southern European nations. Why is it that France cannot go the same way?
It's very frustrating to read this kind of article in the NYT. One clue as to why is "a pre-Brexit Pew Research Center survey found ..." Brexit was six months ago. There have been several post-Brexit surveys which show the opposite. Either the writer does not know - I guess "based in Berlin" he doesn't really follow French news - or does not care - honest as Trump, I guess.
And to say that Social Democracy has lost support in Germany is just stupid, and is to confuse the party of that name with the principles of social democracy. It's like saying Americans don't support Democracy when they vote against Democrats. The centre-right in Germany, and pretty much everywhere in Europe, *is*, by any meaningful sense of the word, social democrat. That's actually the problem for the left.
I don't understand it. Americans are giving far more press to the National Front, even though the Front has regressed, not progressed, in France recently. Le Pen was a shoo-in to make the second round a year ago; now she might make it, but if she does, it will only because the left is divided three-way. It's as if, to cover their shame about Trump, the Americans wish the same misfortune on the rest of the world.
And to say that Social Democracy has lost support in Germany is just stupid, and is to confuse the party of that name with the principles of social democracy. It's like saying Americans don't support Democracy when they vote against Democrats. The centre-right in Germany, and pretty much everywhere in Europe, *is*, by any meaningful sense of the word, social democrat. That's actually the problem for the left.
I don't understand it. Americans are giving far more press to the National Front, even though the Front has regressed, not progressed, in France recently. Le Pen was a shoo-in to make the second round a year ago; now she might make it, but if she does, it will only because the left is divided three-way. It's as if, to cover their shame about Trump, the Americans wish the same misfortune on the rest of the world.
78
I agree with you that Americans do not understand the French politics. But French don't understand it either. Just by reading nytimes, I will assume you (as do I) live in an ivory tower where the EU is only milk and honey. Where globalisation is the future.
When I hear people at work making fun of US voters or FN sympathisers I have a feeling of angst. And it's because French society is divided based on classes (BAC, BAC+3, grandes ecolles, etc). Even if we go for a drink together, we don't really understand each other. We are happy in our group, talking about "more important stuff", but we fail to understand the other's point of view or needs because they are less educated than us.
When I see people's attitude towards FN I'm scared. They don't take it serious. They don't listen and try to understand the root cause of "the other's" frustrations. They do not work to alleviate their pain. I think this is what happened in the UK, the US, and it might happen very well here.
I hope I'm wrong.
When I hear people at work making fun of US voters or FN sympathisers I have a feeling of angst. And it's because French society is divided based on classes (BAC, BAC+3, grandes ecolles, etc). Even if we go for a drink together, we don't really understand each other. We are happy in our group, talking about "more important stuff", but we fail to understand the other's point of view or needs because they are less educated than us.
When I see people's attitude towards FN I'm scared. They don't take it serious. They don't listen and try to understand the root cause of "the other's" frustrations. They do not work to alleviate their pain. I think this is what happened in the UK, the US, and it might happen very well here.
I hope I'm wrong.
19
The centre-right in Germany, and pretty much everywhere in Europe, *is*, by any meaningful sense of the word, social democrat. That's actually the problem for the left.
you have hit the nail on the head.
you have hit the nail on the head.
Yes, I've noticed this as well. One does have to wonder about the motive behind these articles, though it is probably the same as always -- click-bait generates ad dollars. (But why does it generate ad dollars, or, as Henry Miller once said in Tropic of Capricorn, "why does money make money?")
I note that the accompanying photo has "CGT" graffiti in several places. Rather ironic.
Best to you. :)
I note that the accompanying photo has "CGT" graffiti in several places. Rather ironic.
Best to you. :)
The political pendulum swings one way and always swings back
The only question(s) are at what speed does the correction happen and how far. Generally what happens is that the swings corrects pretty quickly, but are almost always stopped from going too far by centrist monetary forces.
If it swings too far to the right, then there are usually wars, loss of rights and almost always a recession\depression,
If it swings too far to the left, then there is usually social revolution with the monied interests coming to heel.
Take your pick.
The only question(s) are at what speed does the correction happen and how far. Generally what happens is that the swings corrects pretty quickly, but are almost always stopped from going too far by centrist monetary forces.
If it swings too far to the right, then there are usually wars, loss of rights and almost always a recession\depression,
If it swings too far to the left, then there is usually social revolution with the monied interests coming to heel.
Take your pick.
12
I am not sure the pendulum analogy actually applies to politics. For centuries maybe but not in election cycles or single decades. A more likely analogy for the 21st century would be the seasons. In the West, the first half of this century is shaping up as "the winter of our discontent," a long period of discontent, despair and upheaval for all but the ultra-rich.
Humm, wars. From the left in my lifetime, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and the Falklands. From the right Afghanistan, Iraq. From Religion? The entire Middle East and what has ended up being scores of conflicts. We really haven't had social revolution, just social destruction from the left like Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina and indeed Obama's America.
Falklands placed on the left? Seriously? I stopped right there.
1
I am a student, and this past year I went on exchange for two months in the industrial town of Belfort, around 3 months after the Paris attacks. When I was there there was unrest in the school due to the "alt right" members of the community, including teachers, pushing an agenda in the school council. If I remember correctly, they had started to deny those not in the party. This happened while at home, with my french family, we had many dinner conversations about the state of France and why taking in refugees was so unpopular. This article further proves that there is a trend not just in the US towards unionist/alt right because of the decline in developed countries of industrial decline.
10
LePen is NOT a "right wing" party if compared to US political parties. NYT, Huffington Post, Washington Post use that pejorative term in order to further a globalist agenda. French people LIKE their social and economic benefits, and do not want them eliminated. They also are proud of their own society and culture, which they see threatened by open borders and globalism. At this point in history, sovereign nations still exist and there is still such a thing as national citizenship. It seems NYT wants to do away with that.
167
Extreme right is the term used by the French for the FN (National Front) for a long long time. But the FN has coopted the Left on economic issues. The article says as much. There might be a globalist agenda (in your head or outside) but it cannot be conflated with the choice of the name of the FN in the NYT.
1
Not a right wing party? you are correct, it is a ALT-RIGHT party. "French citizenship should be either inherited or merited" There's something I will say: In the U.S., people are very patriotic. Their patriotism is obvious. In France, for many years, you had to fight to be patriotic. People are pushing us from loving our own country." ...and Her father stating that the holocaust is a "detail" of history..
1
Lived in France for decades. The National Front is not only "right-wing" it is neo-Fascist.
The rhetoric has been toned down, but the objectives have remained the same.
The rhetoric has been toned down, but the objectives have remained the same.
6
Are we really condemned to choose between preserving and destroying the current world order? Is there no way to work within a system to create necessary change? Thank you for this extraordinary reporting about a profound issue. (Fewer thanks, perhaps, for leading me to Google "French gesture testicles throat".)
13
Is Social Democracy the new euphemism for liberal/socialist?
6
Not at all. Social democracy is a blend of democracy, capitalism, and social justice, with the amount of social justice varying according to taste. Nothing fundamentally socialist at all.
2
The election of Trump will open the floodgates towards an extreme shift to the right throughout Europe. The end of jobs - and that's what this is all about - assures incredible upheavals.
7
The mentality of these French workers is stunning. The hatred, the Marxist mentality, the sense of entitlement and class resentment... No wonder France is in constant crisis and economic stupor. "Socialism" can be absolutely toxic.
19
Very true, class discontent is a hallmark of greed amongst the working class in "socialist" countries. I mean, who's ever heard of class conflict in "capitalist" America? Success all around!
That's why American democracy is doing so well today and American workers just elected a capitalist, free-market, open-trade idealist to office.
For someone from America to criticize other ("socialist") countries about working class disenchantment and bitterness after last November 8th is so ironic, it's almost surreal.
That's why American democracy is doing so well today and American workers just elected a capitalist, free-market, open-trade idealist to office.
For someone from America to criticize other ("socialist") countries about working class disenchantment and bitterness after last November 8th is so ironic, it's almost surreal.
16
Did you read the article or are you simply expressing a knee jerk reaction to the word "socialism"? I suspect the latter. Go back and read the article again, and pay attention to discussion of austerity policies imposed by Germany that through so many out of work. That's right unemployment. The unemployment rates among young adults across Europe, and certainly in France, skyrocketed during the world recession. French workers feel that their elected leadership sold out social democracy to the excesses of global capitalism and free trade. And here, it's not like we saw the Wall Stree Perp Walks so many expected as they were losing their jobs, homes, and life savings. Here, President Obama big mistake was not focusing on universal healthcare but on coddling and reassuring Wall Street execs, who had been fully prepared to follow his orders and do what they needed to do to clean up the mess they made.
4
It's hard to sympathize with people that want a 32 hour work week.
1
The National Front may have been right-wing in its early days, but it clearly doesn't represent big money now (and how else can you define the right/left divide except as the struggle between the moneyed interests and the people?)
Or does the Times think politics has nothing to do with economics, that it's strictly a matter of cosmopolitanism vs. parochialism?
That view of things, de-emphasizing politics' role in the struggle for economic justice, pretty much describes the route chosen by the Democratic party.
Neither of our American parties represents the interests of Americans who work for others any more. One represents employers, and the other represents a coalition of public employees, intellectuals, and victims of bigotry, a state of affairs that led to the absurdist reality that the working class just helped elect one of the most famously avaricious plutocrats in the country to the presidency.
The National Front, whatever its racist beginnings, has come to represent the people's interests in France. To label it right wing has become absurd.
Or does the Times think politics has nothing to do with economics, that it's strictly a matter of cosmopolitanism vs. parochialism?
That view of things, de-emphasizing politics' role in the struggle for economic justice, pretty much describes the route chosen by the Democratic party.
Neither of our American parties represents the interests of Americans who work for others any more. One represents employers, and the other represents a coalition of public employees, intellectuals, and victims of bigotry, a state of affairs that led to the absurdist reality that the working class just helped elect one of the most famously avaricious plutocrats in the country to the presidency.
The National Front, whatever its racist beginnings, has come to represent the people's interests in France. To label it right wing has become absurd.
65
Perhaps our politics has grown beyond the simple Right vs. Left divide. France's National Front party is indeed "leftist" in its support for workers, but it is "right wing" in its bigotry. The question we should be asking is, why has bigotry gone hand in hand with populism?
Populism, which I view favorably, is the legitimate rising up of the voices of the working class who always seem to end up with the short end of the economic stick whenever the rich grab too much of the wealth and power. The working class includes minorities and women, not just white men.
It seems that white working class men in particular, instead of placing the blame where it belongs (on mostly white rich men) have decided to blame minorities and immigrants. That's a problem.
On the other side of the coin, the problem of Democrats and other ruling elite parties, is that they are so caught up in advocating for those who face bigotry, that they forget that everyone who is "anti-immigration" is not necessarily a racist. They might just be genuinely concerned about too few job opportunities and concerned about growing domestic terrorist attacks.
We need to decouple populism and racism. The Democratic party needs to go back to its roots and start supporting economic populism while at the same time acknowledging that our immigration policy has to be fixed so that it doesn't hurt workers and it doesn't usher in more domestic terrorism. Why let a Trump own this discussion?
Populism, which I view favorably, is the legitimate rising up of the voices of the working class who always seem to end up with the short end of the economic stick whenever the rich grab too much of the wealth and power. The working class includes minorities and women, not just white men.
It seems that white working class men in particular, instead of placing the blame where it belongs (on mostly white rich men) have decided to blame minorities and immigrants. That's a problem.
On the other side of the coin, the problem of Democrats and other ruling elite parties, is that they are so caught up in advocating for those who face bigotry, that they forget that everyone who is "anti-immigration" is not necessarily a racist. They might just be genuinely concerned about too few job opportunities and concerned about growing domestic terrorist attacks.
We need to decouple populism and racism. The Democratic party needs to go back to its roots and start supporting economic populism while at the same time acknowledging that our immigration policy has to be fixed so that it doesn't hurt workers and it doesn't usher in more domestic terrorism. Why let a Trump own this discussion?
103
When economics create a kind of zero sum game, where people watch others take their jobs because they're willing to work for less and little or no benefits, expect things to get ugly. People are much more tolerant of one another when things are doing ok financially.
Democrats seem to forget that the 'ignorant racists' that put Trump in office were in a large number of cases members of the 'Democratic firewall', people who have been reliable Democrats for around three decades and who put Obama into office twice. When they starting brushing others with the 'ignorant racists' label they should save paint for apparently large swaths of the Democratic party too. It would be less messy for all involved if we just dropped the uncivil chatter.
Democrats seem to forget that the 'ignorant racists' that put Trump in office were in a large number of cases members of the 'Democratic firewall', people who have been reliable Democrats for around three decades and who put Obama into office twice. When they starting brushing others with the 'ignorant racists' label they should save paint for apparently large swaths of the Democratic party too. It would be less messy for all involved if we just dropped the uncivil chatter.
1
Classic populism/fascism is the collusion of a charismatic leader, the rich, and the masses. If it reaches critical mass, the combustion can be lethal. Part of that mix is the demonization of the "other." Hence, gays, "rapist" Mexicans, and Muslims. The working classes indeed need support. But the answer is not building another $700.00/day Trump hotel with gold fixtures. Maybe the answer is to tax the rich to the degree that they can never go there in first place. In that way, we would not be building a wasteful hotel in the first place. We have built a superstructure for the rich instead of an infrastructure for the rest of us.
The world has changed with technology and globalization. France and the rest of the developed world can't use debt and future social promises to provide a pleasant lifestyle anymore (smoke-and-mirrors). No. People must now work in increasingly more productive capacities to grow the economy and wealth. This is a big change and the sooner people and countries realize this and change the better. It's just the way to world is evolving.
9
it's time to retool if one has lost a job with modern technology in place. Looking for coal mines to reopen is a dream that brings pollution. Reeducation and modernization is the answer. We cannot put the genie back in the bottle.
1
@ rati mody
While that's true on a high level, the details are much more difficult. "Reeducation and modernization" means, what, exactly? And do you think US policy has done nearly enough in these areas to alleviate the dislocation from deindustrialization, automation and trade? Additionally, are these prescriptions that will serve every individual and area equally? If not, what other policies are needed?
While that's true on a high level, the details are much more difficult. "Reeducation and modernization" means, what, exactly? And do you think US policy has done nearly enough in these areas to alleviate the dislocation from deindustrialization, automation and trade? Additionally, are these prescriptions that will serve every individual and area equally? If not, what other policies are needed?
1
Workers are blaming the govt for loss of jobs created by the post industrial shift from dirty jobs to high tech, where few have the skills needed. You can't blame the immigrants for that but they will.
Dead ahead: the 1930's as things start to become hyper nationalist. That will put us in an economic death spiral globally..
Dead ahead: the 1930's as things start to become hyper nationalist. That will put us in an economic death spiral globally..
16
Stay strong, France. We've learned from your pioneering modern democracy centuries ago—now please learn from the mistakes we've just made in ours!
55
You have it backwards. We are now learning from the mistakes made by France and are in the process of making the changes needed to put us back on the right track...
11
Uh, the U.S. actually pioneered modern democracy... at least a decade before then French.
1
@ Marcus Aurelius
Did you read the article? The profiles were almost parallels of working class Rust Belt towns in America. Neither are results of "socialism" but of technological progress and trade that has come un-moored from traditional labor interests and national economic policies. The dissatisfaction with the "left" in France parallels the dissatisfaction with the "left" in America in that both traditional left parties have capitulated and abdicated traditional labor interests in favor of global capitalist economics and "new normal" economic realities. Both Trump and LePen at the very least, have articulated those dislocations, what remains to be seen is how it will work in policy. The concern is that traditional left parties are de-legitimizing themselves by making (what can be argued as necessary or opportunistic depending on your POV) too many concessions to global orders, while the rising "alt right" parties are capitalizing on the resentment in rhetoric, but as we're seeing with Trump's appointments and policies so far, seems to end at rhetoric while doubling down with hard right economic policies behind the scenes. And if the traditional left is irrelevant than what will oppose the fake populism of the right to impose its real agendas?
Did you read the article? The profiles were almost parallels of working class Rust Belt towns in America. Neither are results of "socialism" but of technological progress and trade that has come un-moored from traditional labor interests and national economic policies. The dissatisfaction with the "left" in France parallels the dissatisfaction with the "left" in America in that both traditional left parties have capitulated and abdicated traditional labor interests in favor of global capitalist economics and "new normal" economic realities. Both Trump and LePen at the very least, have articulated those dislocations, what remains to be seen is how it will work in policy. The concern is that traditional left parties are de-legitimizing themselves by making (what can be argued as necessary or opportunistic depending on your POV) too many concessions to global orders, while the rising "alt right" parties are capitalizing on the resentment in rhetoric, but as we're seeing with Trump's appointments and policies so far, seems to end at rhetoric while doubling down with hard right economic policies behind the scenes. And if the traditional left is irrelevant than what will oppose the fake populism of the right to impose its real agendas?
The problem is that the elites in government, media, entertainment and academia don't get it. LIfe for them is good, very good and don't realiseor accept that the policies they have pushed for and put in place are anything but good.Those policies are certainly good for and to them. However is the left wing/ liberal / social democracy policies cost working class industrial workers jobs, healthcare, housing and education. Be in Jonestown Pennsylvania, Sunderland or Lyon people are saying enough already of Washington's, London's and Paris' social experiements, they are killing them. Also the hypocrisy of the elite left is incredible and shocking. The "celebs" sit in there mansions, jet setting to their villas in an endless life of luxury and have the nerve to lecture middle class and working class people on morality and politics. Perhaps Madonna or DiCaprio or Cumberbatch should be taxed out of jobs. When you look closely at them and many celebs they make Trump, Farage and LePen look like paradigms of virtue.
202
The elite right isn't any different 'jetting to their villas in an endless life of luxury and have the nerve to lecture middle class and working class people on morality and politics'.
8
Thank you! Comment of the month, IMO.
4
Excellent, Niall Firinne. I have not gone to the movies or bought a CD/album of a contemporary artist in decades; the uber rich celebrities mostly doing meager work do not deserve my hard-earned money. They preach, but do not practice.
11
The left everywhere seems to have shifted priorities. Where it once focused on worker economic welfare, it seemed to have deprioritized that in favor of social issues, such as diversity, cultural inclusion and so forth.
I think support for the latter issues was something of an enabler for aligning with globalist economic agendas, along with the fact that any mature political movement would ultimately be somewhat co-opted into the broader economic system. This apparent alignment with globalist economics has significantly damaged the left's credibility.
While I'm sure there were smart political and moral reasons for the left to prioritize social issues over traditional labor economics, I think it has left a large population of forgotten workers feeling alienated and willing to align with other political movements seen as directly addressing their complaints.
The left wants to label these alternative movements as "far right" and in many policies they are, but the populist right has always managed to assemble an ideology (coherent or not) which has elements socialism. The official party name for the Nazis was the National German Socialist Worker's Party (NSDAP in German), for example. This allows them to capture disaffected workers on an economic basis while promoting other policies which would never align with a traditional Marxist-derived socialism.
I think support for the latter issues was something of an enabler for aligning with globalist economic agendas, along with the fact that any mature political movement would ultimately be somewhat co-opted into the broader economic system. This apparent alignment with globalist economics has significantly damaged the left's credibility.
While I'm sure there were smart political and moral reasons for the left to prioritize social issues over traditional labor economics, I think it has left a large population of forgotten workers feeling alienated and willing to align with other political movements seen as directly addressing their complaints.
The left wants to label these alternative movements as "far right" and in many policies they are, but the populist right has always managed to assemble an ideology (coherent or not) which has elements socialism. The official party name for the Nazis was the National German Socialist Worker's Party (NSDAP in German), for example. This allows them to capture disaffected workers on an economic basis while promoting other policies which would never align with a traditional Marxist-derived socialism.
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Let me translate European "right wing populism" for you: A person who wants a job that can support a family; A person who feels like their national culture and identity are disappearing, sacrificed to the Gods of liberal globalism; A person who does not necessarily want "refugees" whose culture has wrecked their own countries so badly, that they are now have to sleep in their neighbor's bedrooms: A person who if they are just a hair right of failed socialism, they are labeled as some kind of extremist - in other words, not right wing at all, but mostly just regular folks. Trump supporters can instantly recognize these citizens.
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Persons who want good jobs voted against worker's rights for the last 35 years. Remember PATCO? They endorsed Reagan and then he put them out of business. Workers have been marching to the cliff every since. National culture and identity have been disappearing ever since New York City stopped forcing Catholics out. "National culture and identity" is a narrow-minded, history-ignorant and self-serving phrase. The wreck that others have felt was caused by bombs, real and economic. Speaking of wrecks, you are deeply concerned about your own, but not so much about theirs. That wreck is moral, not economic. And yes, the fraud-in-chief, the sexual predator, draft dodger, philanderer, sexual predator, tax cheat does recognize his own. The carnage he sees is the smoking heap of hubris that is American exemptionalism. Chickens come home to roost, y'all.
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as a german with french ties I can translate european right wing populism for you: take the Front National or the german AFD... they have no real solutions to offer, but much hate. Their Goal is to destroy the EU, to divide the Country and to install protectionism all the way. They are destructive from A to Z. They try to attract the lowest human instincts. They are racist all the way. They believe in true Nazi-Ideologies.
No wonder that Russia is supporting these right wing parties with money and a huge desinformation campaign. Because thats Putins biggest Goal - to destroy the EU, to destabilize the west.
No wonder that Russia is supporting these right wing parties with money and a huge desinformation campaign. Because thats Putins biggest Goal - to destroy the EU, to destabilize the west.
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This description is spot on for Germany as well. The current social democrat mish-mash government--championed by Merkel--and, yes, the lying press built up to support them will do ANYTHING to make the adjectives right-wing or populism dirty words. A person who sees this refugee hoax for what it is--islam desperate to dump its failures in population control, economic development, and civic society building on Europe--and cannot stand to see idiotic western politicians, eager to preen and preach their progressiveness and liberalness to their fellow social democrats. And completely disregard the cost to their societies forced to accept and pay for a completely unneeded, uninvited horde of illegal migrants. In past times, it was easy enough to call ANYONE who disagreed with this stupidity populist, or, in Sweden, racist. This shut them up and shut out debate, which is all the Social Democrats wanted. Listening to the average person was just so unnecessary. Hopefully, not any more, or not for too much longer.
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Those of us lucky enough to be described as millennials have found ourselves inheriting a broken world order - with the financial world seemingly one blip away from another recession, collapsing interpersonal relationships, and the rollback of progressive intellectual thought and policy.
Thanks for that.
Thanks for that.
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you're welcome but can we stop with this idea of one generation 'bequeathing' the world to succeeding generations? It's just a framing device. If I have to thank the WWII generation for providing me with a booming economy, don't I also get to blame them for seeding the world with nuclear weapons? Thx, Mom and Dad. It's not the job of each succeeding cohort to 'create' a better world for the next. We don't have that power.
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Really? You live in a world with remarkably few armed conflicts, even given the carnage in Syria, and have very little chance of being forced to participate in those conflicts, as young Americans in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s were. You're not facing a terrifying incurable disease, as those of us who grew up in the AIDS era of the 1980s. And you have access to low-cost travel and a vast trove of information via the Internet. I can't do much about your "collapsing interpersonal relationships," though. Try listening to some Sinatra; he understands.
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And you voted, right, sweetheart? Your millennial counterparts in Great Britain did not bother when it came to Brexit. Too caught up in their raves, their cell phone messaging, their arrogance. But they know how to whinge about giving Britain away to old people. That is all we have heard since from millennial whiners like you.
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Why is there a death knell for social democracy sweeping across the world from India to USA and almost every democracy in between? The answer is very simple, it has not worked for the working class of several democracies. Whether in India where the Nehru dynasty ruled for most of the years since its independence or USA where the Bush and Clinton dynasties ruled for 20 of the past 28 years, the benefits to the masses from the ruling class that simply enriched itself did not trickle down in a significant measure. I always believed that democracies should reform or die and the death knell for social democracy was inevitable. Socialism was supposed to bring about an equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities, which did not happen in the western democracies. Sure some countries like France has a universal health care and a lot of benefits but if the masses do not feel that they are beneficiary of the wealth of the nation but instead are left behind that will have an influence on the ballot box. Social democracy has been breeding discontent all across the globe and the chickens have come home to roost. Partly it is the fault of the way democracies work. For a desire to serve the country you have to run elections and to run elections you have to campaign and to run campaigns you need money and where does the money come from, it comes from those who have it and lots of it and those who have it want their pound of flesh in the form of special access and tweaking of laws.
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"Clinton dynasty"? That would be 8 years, elected by the people. Since when is that a dynasty?
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Yes, it's not the social part that failed, but the democracy part. Having the 1% dominate campaign financing has be enormously successful. This isn't failure of social democracy as much as win for capitalists over government.
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Don't throw the baby (social democracy) out with the bath water. The problem with our western system, is the problem that every type of government has faced since the dawn of civilization -- how to keep the rich, the elites, the 1%, the donor class (or whatever you want to call them) from trying to usurp too much power and change the laws to make themselves even richer and even more powerful.
The answer has been obvious for a long time: CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.
But, the Republican party, which has been utterly captured by big money (the corporations and the wealthy elites) since the days of Nixon, has been steadily weakening our democracy. Among the most egregious acts was appointing corrupt Supreme Court justices who have gutted campaign finance laws.
The answer has been obvious for a long time: CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.
But, the Republican party, which has been utterly captured by big money (the corporations and the wealthy elites) since the days of Nixon, has been steadily weakening our democracy. Among the most egregious acts was appointing corrupt Supreme Court justices who have gutted campaign finance laws.
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