Watts or West Bank?
Wretchard at The Belmont Club asks an interesting question on the current troubles in France. Is this a French intifada or French Watts? Are we seeing the beginning of an Islamic fundamentalist movement intent on eventually turning France into part of the caliphate or basically a non-religious based violent expression of discontent by an ethnic minority.
I don't know. But I'm also not sure it matters. What matters is what the French do. I would propose,
1) Make it easier for anyone to get a job by relaxing labor regulations (like once you hire someone you can't fire them).
2) Make it harder not to get a job by cutting welfare to the able bodied.
3) Enforce laws equally in all parts of France, especially laws regarding mistreating females through intimidation, forced marriages, and pulling girls out of school too early. Do not allow separate societies within the country.
It seems regardless of whether this is Islamic based or not, the people in those suburbs, or at least a critical mass of them, must be integrated into French society. Nothing breeds resentment more than not being able to advance in life and then receiving a handout so you can sit there and steam.
I don't know. But I'm also not sure it matters. What matters is what the French do. I would propose,
1) Make it easier for anyone to get a job by relaxing labor regulations (like once you hire someone you can't fire them).
2) Make it harder not to get a job by cutting welfare to the able bodied.
3) Enforce laws equally in all parts of France, especially laws regarding mistreating females through intimidation, forced marriages, and pulling girls out of school too early. Do not allow separate societies within the country.
It seems regardless of whether this is Islamic based or not, the people in those suburbs, or at least a critical mass of them, must be integrated into French society. Nothing breeds resentment more than not being able to advance in life and then receiving a handout so you can sit there and steam.
posted by Harsh Pencil | 11/08/2005 09:30:00 PM
The problem with France, is that real change is virtually impossible without revolution. How can the people of France expect to change a government where all of the legislators went to the same University?
It may turn out that the latest intifada is what France needs.
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