Some feelings on the Paris riots
As with every conflict, there are two sides to this. The French government needs to change. It has needed to change for a long time. But the way that the rioters are going about it is all wrong. They are hurting people, killing people. They should take a clue from Dr. King, from Ghandi, from Thoreau. Don't just sit back and take it, but don't act violently either. Nonviolent resistence. Peaceful, but nonetheless proactive action.
The riots are spreading, surrounding Paris, moving into Paris and into the countryside. The government feels threatened. This could be the beginnings of a revolution--after all, the French have a habit of being violent in their revolutions.
One may also note that some are calling for the creation of militias to fight the rioters. This also may lead to revolution. The citizens are dissatisfied with the actions taken by the government to quell the riots. Perhaps the militias, if created, could end up siding with the rioters against the government. Or perhaps they may succeed in quelling the riots, but then decide to take on the government. Perhaps Martial Law could be declared. This happened during an earlier revolution in France's history, a coup d'etat in which Napoleon took power. Declaration of Martial Law also led to the Nazis taking power in Germany about 70 years ago. Now, of course, this may not be a good thing. The results of a revolution, in fact, may be disastrous. But they might not--even if Martial Law is declared, because the loss of civil liberty experienced therein may incite a more democratic revolution.
If it really is a revolution--and despite the violent means seen thusfar, the French government really does need a massive overhaul, as do many other European governments--if this really is a revolution, then it's something rare. A major revolution in a developed country has not occurred for many decades, except, perhaps, for the fall of Communism in Russia. If things change in France, it could mean change everywhere. It could spread across Europe. It could spread across the globe. And even if it doesn't, it will change the way that we interact with France, and any other country that undergoes this change. But honestly, even our own government could use some change.
The riots are spreading, surrounding Paris, moving into Paris and into the countryside. The government feels threatened. This could be the beginnings of a revolution--after all, the French have a habit of being violent in their revolutions.
One may also note that some are calling for the creation of militias to fight the rioters. This also may lead to revolution. The citizens are dissatisfied with the actions taken by the government to quell the riots. Perhaps the militias, if created, could end up siding with the rioters against the government. Or perhaps they may succeed in quelling the riots, but then decide to take on the government. Perhaps Martial Law could be declared. This happened during an earlier revolution in France's history, a coup d'etat in which Napoleon took power. Declaration of Martial Law also led to the Nazis taking power in Germany about 70 years ago. Now, of course, this may not be a good thing. The results of a revolution, in fact, may be disastrous. But they might not--even if Martial Law is declared, because the loss of civil liberty experienced therein may incite a more democratic revolution.
If it really is a revolution--and despite the violent means seen thusfar, the French government really does need a massive overhaul, as do many other European governments--if this really is a revolution, then it's something rare. A major revolution in a developed country has not occurred for many decades, except, perhaps, for the fall of Communism in Russia. If things change in France, it could mean change everywhere. It could spread across Europe. It could spread across the globe. And even if it doesn't, it will change the way that we interact with France, and any other country that undergoes this change. But honestly, even our own government could use some change.
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The following has been edited in after the submission of a comment:
While it is possible that these rioters are simply seeking attention, seeking to be part of a cause--which also seems to be somewhat of a French tradition--it seems to me that there's a fair chance that it could be more than that. Now, my idea of revolution was really just a postulation. I don't particularly expect it, but it's a possibility. But the riots are so widespread, so serious in nature. And they are spreading to other areas very quickly. This kind of thing doesn't seem to happen very often. I could be wrong, though. There were riots in Paris in the 1970's, also involving mostly young people, and they did not result in revolution.
It's just a theory...
Or perhaps wishful thinking...
posted by BMD at 7:40 PM
1 Comments:
I disagree with you on the revolution issue. These are just teenagers who don't know what exactly is at stake, just trying to gain some attention from the press and the TV. They've been aware of the social problems by hearsay, and they think they have the rights to protest when they lack all the responsibilities to the society. It's not to say that the French government has done a superb job, but I don't see any other governments doing better.
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