Eurabian Intifada Blues

How far can any economy go when the primary objectives are the preservation of a 35-hour work-week and an outlandish degree of protection towards a romanticized vision of farming? French socialism is immensely appealing after a couple of glasses of wine, a gasper, and a conversation with an attractive brunette, but as a means to maximize prosperity for large segments of the population it seems to be lacking, especially when globalization comes knocking. It doesn't take a Masters in economics to determine that the French situation is custom-designed to maximize unemployment.

But purely economic explanations for the riots don't cut the dijon either. Honest-to-goodness discrimination seems like a natural outcome when a prissy, moribund culture that can’t provide enough jobs runs up against a bona fide oppressive and sexist mindset that too often comes imported from the poorest segments of pan-Arabia. That rage, resentment and anger start simmering in this cauldron should be a surprise to no one. That a big pile of burned-out Renaults and Citroens should be the eventual outcome seems entirely plausible. Turns out the country that brought us liberté, egalité, and fraternité can't offer a better socialist prospect for some of the people in flight from unjust systems. How about more capitalist opportunité?

Cue predictable flap about how America isn't any better. Don't worry, if you adore the hobby of tearing down the American system and concocting reason why it's morally equivalent with socialism then the apologist cavalry is on it's way. Practice this helpful sneer: "So what, bombs are the answer?" (missing the point of the question about basic systems to create prosperity). Maybe the ass-swaggering, McDonald's American approach is "just as bad" as miserable socialism - but we have plenty of time to watch thing play out, don't we? Because it sure looks like things are going to get worse before they get better.