In each instance, the match may differ, but the kindling has (in most cases) been furnished by the gross inequality produced by global capitalism.
Consider Lebanon. The demonstrations that erupted there in October were triggered by the government’s plan to tax calls made through WhatsApp and other internet services, but they quickly mushroomed into a broader protest against high unemployment, sectarian rule, corruption, and the government’s failure to provide basic services like electricity and sanitation.
You don’t have to be insane to write for the Guardian but it is looking more and more like it
‘the gross inequality produced by global capitalism’
Wut? Global? If it were global, we’d have mass prosperity.
But in prosperity, some would have less than others, some more. Inequality is bogus totalist language.
‘Six Lebanese billionaires have a combined personal wealth of about $11bn, according to Forbes.’
Kill them all and take their stuff. In a week, you’ll be back where you started, BUT WITHOUT CAPITAL TO DO ANYTHING.
Loser.
‘Despite their country’s wealth, working Chileans have had to grapple with rising utility costs, stagnant wages and paltry pensions.’
Kill the countries wealthy. Take their stuff. In a week, working Chileans will have had to grapple with rising utility costs, stagnant wages and paltry pensions.
‘In Hong Kong, months of demonstrations have had one overriding goal: resisting China’s encroachments on the city’s autonomy and democratic institutions. That the protests have become so virulent and lasted so long, however, reflects deep exasperation with the region’s sky-high cost of living.’
Second sentence has nothing to do with first sentence. A catastrophic loss of continuity. Communists only tool is a hammer. Everything looks like nails.
‘The 2008 crash stripped the sheen off global capitalism.’
Yeah, you loved global (sic) capitalism up to 2008.
It’s all Trump’s fault.
Thank God for Trump – it’s no longer Thatcher’s fault.
You know its really bad when even the EU gets fed up of funding Kleptocrats:
The 2008 “crash” was a nuisance, but it was hardly the Great Depression.
That did knock the sheen off capitalism. But going non-capitalist in response turned out to be unwise.
“the gross inequality produced by global capitalism”
“the government’s plan to tax calls made through WhatsApp”
Bill Gates, The Donald, a raghead on the streets of Beirut. They all pay exactly the same for Whatsapp calls. Nothing.
So exactly what point are they trying to make?
@Diogenes
You do have to be insular to write for the Guardian
Racists, racists everywhere
An exclusive group which ostracises Conservative: ‘people of colour’, LGBT, miners, teachers, academics, BBC staff, public sector etc
See: Guardian’s Joseph Harker “I couldn’t be friends with a Tory”
Harker reveal a lot about The Guardian & Left
‘I am prepared to debate, as long as my voice is dominant and the opponent understands they are evil’
“who a Lebanese businessman has linked to millions of euros stolen from EU waste management programs and for being behind a new ruse to pilfer even more international aid money heading towards a $1 billion incinerator scam.”
Sorry, but I don’t feel incensed. EU doing waste management projects in Lebanon – anyone really think that was going to work out well?
I assume it’s like Obama’s solar projects – just payoffs to supporters.
A lot of this looks like Cargo Cultism. Build sewers and we’ll be prosperous, just like 19th century London!
No, London was prosperous, which created the need for and the wealth to pay for sewers.
It’s more colonialism to me, jgh. Westerners telling them how they should be living.
“The 2008 “crash” was a nuisance, but it was hardly the Great Depression.”
Your neighbor getting laid off is a recession.
Your getting laid off is a depression.
Gamecock was laid off in 2009. Gamecock’s portfolio dropped over a third of its value (thanks, Obama). He considers it a depression.