More French Riots

[Umengus]

This situation points out the dangers of socialism, in which the government controls too much of the economy, so every economic issue becomes a political issue, and people demand and expect the government to legislate the economic result that they want.

Except France is not socialist, and is actually a rather right wing country.

correct and uncorrect. A majority of french people support strong measures on insecurity but a majority of french people refuse also the new jobs law (cfr last polls). 

[Umengus]

When it comes to fighting for their rights, the French don't let government steam roll over them

Dave

A job isn't a right that can be granted by the government.  There is a fundamental flaw in this thinking.

Not in France (and in Europe). For people, job is a right and if there is unemployement, government is guilty. And I'm not sure that it's different in USA: presidents, governors,... are not popular when there is recession and unremployement...

[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.