User's avatar
Güiso's avatar

Is democratic chaos the opposite of organized repression? If we agree that the French Revolution was the beginning of modern history with the first popular revolution against rigid totalitarianism, then we can see that popular unrest is unavoidable in large and diverse societies. The Revolutions of 1848 in Europe led to uprisings throughout Europe, and they initially failed, but they did bring about the ascent of labor movements and a merchant and factory worker middle class. These uprisings were the cost of progress. But even in Revolutions, just causes can mutate into a beehive of destructive and mindless frenzy. Civil protest is good for a society, but what about uncivil protest? The black inner city riots of large American cities in the 1960’s resulted in white flight and the decay of many great cities. Did such destruction serve the needs of any group except for the fringe left that believed in destroying society before rebuilding it? As historical Monday morning quarterback, I think city and state governments should have called out the National Guard and calmed things down with water cannon once the fires and destruction began. Too many politicians are afraid of their legacy and there desire to be reelected. The French in the current riots should have brought out the water cannon. The governors of Washington state and Minnesota should have called out the guard and water cannon for the BLM vandalism and breakdown in social order in city centers. It is abominable that a police station was surrendered to communards in Seattle and set afire. France, like the US, is a polarized society with political extremes. Jean-Marie Le Pen must be pondering a return to the fray.

Expand full comment
NYCDazzler's avatar

Interesting piece. I think the author is correct that today's mass protesters are essentially spoiled brats & ingrates (Though he's too polite to put it that way). The irony of all their self-congratulation (they are the "resistance," authorities are "fascists," etc., is that if Western governments were really committing genocide, smashing skulls, etc., most of them would scram and hide--as most victims of history's worst have tried to do. Don't underestimate the role of Islamist fanaticism and general dysfunction here--these are the same people who spawned the murderers of 9-11; who tortured Ilan Halimim may he rest in peace; who have not allowed Israelis one day of peace since modern Israel was reborn and who, given a chance, will wreck civilization. It isn't every Arab Muslim and there are good people in every society, but on the whole, let's get real, France made a giant error in letting masses of them in. That's the obvious and sad truth--their way of life is simply not congruent with Western democracy. Time for the West to batten down the hatches, wish the Third world well, and finally get it that these people's problems are not our responsibility.

Expand full comment
672 more comments...

No posts