Talk Elections

General Discussion => History => Topic started by: TheDeadFlagBlues on April 27, 2012, 03:33:52 PM



Title: Parallels between the Third Republic and America's current political state
Post by: TheDeadFlagBlues on April 27, 2012, 03:33:52 PM
Has anyone else noticed the striking similarities in a few areas?


Title: Re: Parallels between the Third Republic and America's current political state
Post by: Antonio the Sixth on April 27, 2012, 04:29:26 PM
You mean the French Third Republic ?

In its late years, there might be some similarities : government inefficiency, powerlessness and inability to fix what's (seriously) wrong, the legislative branch being utterly useless and pathetic, rise of far-right fringe movements, great violence of the political discourse, etc...

The 1876-1914 period, however, is one of the greatest political eras France has ever experienced.


Title: Re: Parallels between the Third Republic and America's current political state
Post by: Filuwaúrdjan on April 27, 2012, 04:30:11 PM
Beyond the fact that they have almost nothing in common?


Title: Re: Parallels between the Third Republic and America's current political state
Post by: TheDeadFlagBlues on April 27, 2012, 04:48:41 PM
Beyond the fact that they have almost nothing in common?

I'm probably grasping at straws here but during the 20s and 30s its inability to handle its fiscal dilemmas properly, the alarmist media, the polarization, the hold-up of necessary reforms by the conservative senate and the like are reminiscent of many American problems. I think it holds up much better than the often recited "Weimar = 21st century America" comparison.

Why do you think I'm entirely off-base here?


Title: Re: Parallels between the Third Republic and America's current political state
Post by: Filuwaúrdjan on April 27, 2012, 05:12:14 PM
Well it isn't as absurd as the Weimar comparison, but then that's only because it isn't quite openly ridiculous.

But it's still stupid.