Economics, expectations, and politics
What hypotheses would your students make about the political effects of the changes and attitudes reported by the New York Times?For Europe’s Middle-Class, Stagnant Wages Stunt Lifestyle
"The European dream is under assault, as the wave of inflation sweeping the globe mixes with this continent’s long-stagnant wages. Families that once enjoyed Europe’s vaunted quality of life are pinching pennies to buy necessities, and cutting back on extras like movies and vacations abroad.
"Potentially more disturbing — especially to the political and social order — are the millions across the continent grappling with the realization that they may have lives worse, not better, than their parents...
"To be sure, Europe’s middle class is still larger than the number of people at risk of falling into poverty — and, by many measures, more protected than the American middle class. But policy makers worry that could change as the European economy starts to feel the drag of an American slowdown and high inflation..."That simmering concern turned into anger last week in Britain. Striking teachers closed schools for the first time in two decades...
"German workers from several industries waged a series of strikes last month demanding a greater piece of the economic pie...
"In France, where purchasing power has replaced unemployment as Public Enemy No. 1, unions representing workers from teachers to factory workers have taken to the streets in protest...
"Stagnant pay and soaring prices have hit Italy hardest. Recent statistics from the country’s main shopkeepers’ union showed consumer spending was down 1.1 percent in January from a year earlier, the biggest drop in three years. Leisure and recreation spending fell 5.5 percent..."
Political effects? A Spanish television director is quoted in the article as saying, “I’m surprised we haven’t started a revolution.” An Italian secretary is quoted as saying, “I look at people on the bus and they seem sad and beaten down. We’re 40 years old. We should be feeling more combative, but really all we feel is frustrated.” A German union representative said, “The idea that ‘I will sacrifice to save my job’ is dying. People are ready to fight now.”
Who will they elect?
Labels: economics, elections, politics
posted by Ken Wedding @ 7:43 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home