2/3/09

The Whole World Is Rioting as the Economic Crisis Worsens -- Why Aren't We?

By Joshua Holland, AlterNet. Posted February 3, 2009.

Americans are rightfully angry about the economic decline, but with a few small exceptions, quietly so. Why? It depends on whom you ask.

Explosive anger is spilling out onto the streets of Europe. The meltdown of the global economy is igniting massive social unrest in a region that has long been a symbol of political stability and social cohesion.

It's not a new trend: A wave of upheaval is spreading from the poorer countries on the periphery of the global economy to the prosperous core.

Over the past few years, a series of riots spread across what is patronizingly known as the Third World. Furious mobs have raged against skyrocketing food and energy prices, stagnating wages and unemployment in India, Senegal, Yemen, Indonesia, Morocco, Cameroon, Brazil, Panama, the Philippines, Egypt, Mexico and elsewhere.

Peacenik has been posting contradictory stories on whether people will riot or not, as they become poor, hungry, homeless and angry. Many commentators think the future will not be Mad Max like. Some commentators think the future will be Mad Max like. What does Peacenik think? Peacenik thinks there will be some rioting. Peacenik isn't sure what effect the violent suppression of rioting will have. The concentration camps are already constructed in the U.S. The police have their Tasers and Lasers. The science of crowd control is well developed. Will Peacenik riot? Will you?