More French Riots

[MODU]

So far, no one has managed to explain how France's economy is not free market.

The question was never that they didn't have a free market.  You can be socialistic and still have a farily free market.  It has taken a lot for France to get to where they are now, and they are still fairly short when compared to other Western nations.  Many of these changes have stemmed from their change of protectionism to becoming a member of the EU.  For the longest time (I think this one has been eased), France would not allow foreign computers to be sold within their nation.  Recently (within the last few years), French courts forced online auction sites to place limits on the access for French citizens.  Nationalism and Protectionism can form the basis for socialism, and this is the problem that France has been dealing with for decades, especially when Mitterand rose to power.  France had consolidated many of the industrial and service units into state-run/over-seen entities, which included power, banking, pharamaceuticals, and telecoms.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Like I explained in the other thread, that is not socialism. That's taking the policies of Pat Buchanan, who is certainly not a socialist.

[MODU]

Like I explained in the other thread, that is not socialism. That's taking the policies of Pat Buchanan, who is certainly not a socialist.

If that's what you think....  I'm not going to waste my time trying to convince you other wise.

[Umengus]

After the WWII, communists and gaullists were clairly dominant forces on the political scene. Both were interventionist on economy. Consequently, there was a Strong state: lots of public companies, public workers and high level taxes. Socialists become gradually stronger than communists and in 1981, Mitterand becomes President with a socialist-communist government and especially a great program to nationalize lots of private companies (banks,...). (never said but lots of of these companies were in a very bad shape but tanks to the nationalization, these companies survived. And Fabius, socialist PM, privatized lots of iron and steel industries).

The role of the State is the strongest at this time. In 1986, Chirac (influenced by Reagan-Tatcher politics) becomes PM and privatize what Mitterand nationalized. For then, you can observe a decrease of the role of the State, including period of socialist governments (for example France telecom was privatized by Jospin).

Today, France is a country where State has still a great influence on economy but with EU and neo-liberalism dominating spirits, this influense is decreasing.

[ATFFL]

I am beginning to think that if modern day France had been invaded by the Nazis they would have rioted to protest the surrender.  Then, when the Allies liberated France, they would have rioted to protest that, followed by riots protesting the end of the war, the Allies leaving and the sun setting later in the day than it had the day before.

[Middle-aged Europe]

I am beginning to think that if modern day France had been invaded by the Nazis they would have rioted to protest the surrender.  Then, when the Allies liberated France, they would have rioted to protest that, followed by riots protesting the end of the war, the Allies leaving and the sun setting later in the day than it had the day before.

Well, the French seem to be a very... uh, passionate people.