Opinion: France’s yellow vests highlight a gap between policy and how it’s perceived
By Anne Applebaum Anne Applebaum Columnist focusing on national politics and foreign policy Email Bio Follow Columnist March 29 at 3:45 PM At the national level, support is dropping. More than half of French people now say they want the gilets jaunes — the yellow-jacketed protesters with a record of violence — to stop their demonstrations.
From the beginning, the movement found it hard to articulate what, exactly, it opposed. At first, it was the gasoline tax, but protests continued after that was lifted. Later, protesters told journalists, or anyone who asked, that they felt discriminated against because they paid taxes but, because they lived in the provinces, received no social services.
The puzzle doesn’t end there. Like many other places, France does have big gaps between the rich and the poor. But unlike the United States or Britain, the French system makes major efforts to address inequality. In fact, France already has the most redistributive welfare system in Europe. To put it differently, more money flows from rich to poor in France than it does even in Sweden. Yet this fact is also either unknown or unappreciated.
The saga of the gilets jaunes suggests that perceptions of policy are sometimes more important than policy — or, perhaps, that perceptions are nowadays molded by other things. Macron’s perceived contempt for the poor may be a more important source of discontent than high taxes. The low status of nurses and teachers might make people feel, legitimately, that these professions are not valued.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
France's 'yellow vests' march in Paris as troops join police to prevent troublePresident Emmanuel Macron on Friday dismissed criticism from opposition leaders regarding the involvement of the military.
Lire la suite »
'Yellow Vests' march in Paris as troops join police to prevent troubleFrench 'yellow vest' demonstrators began their 19th consecutive weeken...
Lire la suite »
French military join police to tackle latest 'Yellow Vest' protestFrench military forces joined police in Paris on Saturday to tackle the nineteen...
Lire la suite »
Sporadic clashes break out in latest French 'yellow vest' protestsSporadic clashes broke out in Paris and other French cities on Saturday during &...
Lire la suite »
Clashes break out in latest French 'yellow vest' protestsPolice and demonstrators clashed sporadically in Paris and other French cities o...
Lire la suite »
Opinion | The Trump administration has turned bigotry into policy in Puerto RicoFrom The Post's Editorial Board: The Trump administration has turned bigotry into policy in Puerto Rico
Lire la suite »
Unpredictable German export policies threaten arms projects with France: French envoyGermany's unpredictable arms export policies and long wait times for export...
Lire la suite »
Donald Trump’s rhetoric is no longer just silly and offensive: it's dangerous and undemocratic | OpinionTrump’s rhetoric undermines civility, erodes democratic norms, weakens the rule of law, fuels racial hatred, and promotes political violence.
Lire la suite »
Opinion | It’s time to secure the 2020 electionSafeguarding our democracy is not a partisan project.
Lire la suite »