March 13, 2006--Vive Le Job
In 1968, it was Vive La Revolution. Today, it's Vive Le Job.
In May 1968 a general insurrection broke out across France. It quickly began to reach near-revolutionary proportions. Some philosophers and historians have argued that the rebellion was the single most important political event of the 20th century because it included more than just one demographic group. This time it involved students, intellectuals, workers, and many who were racial minorities. It was a popular uprising, superseding ethnic, cultural, age, and class boundaries.
It began as a series of student strikes that broke out at a number of universities and high schools in Paris, following confrontations with university administrators and the police.
Most of the protesters were motivated by their opposition to the Vietnam War, but many saw the events as an opportunity to shake up the "old society," challenging what they perceived to be inequalities in the economy and education system, structural sexism, and racial bias. Eventually upwards of 10 million were actively involved in France, and the protests spread across all of Europe.
Between then and now there has not been a single similar occupation of the Sorbonne. That is until last weekend.
As reported in the NY Times (link below), French riot police fired tear gas into the occupied buildings in the Latin Quarter and arrested 11 of the 200 student protesters.
What was behind this first revolutionary action of the 21st century? In a word, jobs.
In order to attempt to invigorate the stalled French economy the new government is attempting to pass legislation to make work rules more flexible. Currently, after a very brief period of employment (just a few months), workers are either guaranteed those specific jobs for life or lifetime health and unemployment benefits, which must be paid for by their former employer. As a consequence, some laid off workers find they can do better by never working again and entrepreneurs (and there are some in France in spite of George Bush saying the French do not have a word for “entrepreneur”) are reluctant to form new businesses or hire more people for fear of the long-term financial obligations.
The proposed legislation would authorize “first employment contracts” which would allow employers to hire people under the age of 26 (where unemployment is highest) for a two-year trial period during which time they could let them go without needing to pay them benefits for life.
While occupying the Sorbonne the protesters damaged the building and destroyed a number of “ancient books.” No surprise—who needs books if you can’t be fired.
In May 1968 a general insurrection broke out across France. It quickly began to reach near-revolutionary proportions. Some philosophers and historians have argued that the rebellion was the single most important political event of the 20th century because it included more than just one demographic group. This time it involved students, intellectuals, workers, and many who were racial minorities. It was a popular uprising, superseding ethnic, cultural, age, and class boundaries.
It began as a series of student strikes that broke out at a number of universities and high schools in Paris, following confrontations with university administrators and the police.
Most of the protesters were motivated by their opposition to the Vietnam War, but many saw the events as an opportunity to shake up the "old society," challenging what they perceived to be inequalities in the economy and education system, structural sexism, and racial bias. Eventually upwards of 10 million were actively involved in France, and the protests spread across all of Europe.
Between then and now there has not been a single similar occupation of the Sorbonne. That is until last weekend.
As reported in the NY Times (link below), French riot police fired tear gas into the occupied buildings in the Latin Quarter and arrested 11 of the 200 student protesters.
What was behind this first revolutionary action of the 21st century? In a word, jobs.
In order to attempt to invigorate the stalled French economy the new government is attempting to pass legislation to make work rules more flexible. Currently, after a very brief period of employment (just a few months), workers are either guaranteed those specific jobs for life or lifetime health and unemployment benefits, which must be paid for by their former employer. As a consequence, some laid off workers find they can do better by never working again and entrepreneurs (and there are some in France in spite of George Bush saying the French do not have a word for “entrepreneur”) are reluctant to form new businesses or hire more people for fear of the long-term financial obligations.
The proposed legislation would authorize “first employment contracts” which would allow employers to hire people under the age of 26 (where unemployment is highest) for a two-year trial period during which time they could let them go without needing to pay them benefits for life.
While occupying the Sorbonne the protesters damaged the building and destroyed a number of “ancient books.” No surprise—who needs books if you can’t be fired.
posted by Steven Zwerling at
3:52 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home