Quote from: TPTB_need_war on September 14, 2015, 06:20:24 PM

Quote from: THX 1138 on September 14, 2015, 06:08:21 PM

Yes, I go with what you are saying above, but what I was asking - and maybe I worded my question too ambiguously - was how do you think the UKs fate will differ from that of the rest of europe in the short-term?

I believe Armstrong has been wondering that too. He was hoping they would resist being folded into the EU socialism.

Perhaps you can tell me. How are UK people distinct from European mainlanders?

Will the UK split because there are major differences in values or is the socialism united? The USA will split apart because there are still Americans who are libertarian.

Are the youth of the UK united in this delusion?

My guess the youth in the USA are pretty much also all falling into the same socialism, but the USA has distinct cultural differences such as Texans being very individual property rights and gun rights.

I can't really picture what the European youth will do. I suppose they will either escape to greener pastures such as Asia and those that remain will bite deep in tripling down on totalitarianism socialism. I will tell you my dealings with potential programmers from Europe was disappointing. Attitude is very entitled. Perhaps that is the case of all youth in the West today. Totally unlike my generation.

My sample size is too small. I don't know Europe well. You tell me.

Since THX is a boomer, maybe it's good to have a contrasting/complementing view of mellennial too:

The UK seems to be buying into the centre-right, 'just get on' and the UK economy seems to be stabilising. So that is perceived as good, despite it being driven by debt and housing 'equity'. Also the dead cat housing bounce in the UK has been large (mostly in the south). The London bubble seems ready to pop- as I have mentioned earlier in this thread I think.

The activist youth are united- how many that really makes up in my opinion is currently very small but certainly growing, media can sensationalise these vibrant useful idiots imo. Thus their noisiness on social media and silly protests. There are still many thinking individuals who are extremely sceptical, perhaps when the older generations die off this balance will be tilted in the left's favour. Anecdotally many middle-class colleagues have expressed some admiration of Corbyn. I do not understand why they don't see he will prey on their sense of social justice before raping their wallets given a chance. This seems to be mainly exasperation with the current political class. Also anecdotally my (feminist) friend and her partner voted conservative, out of self interest as they could see through the poor offering of the previous leftist leader. One is from South Africa and has a much better understanding of the dangers of socialism than the feminist. So again, thinking people seem to be seeing past the rhetoric. As for the masses, I'm not convinced.

There is a great sense of entitlement amongst my peers. But I do not feel my social circles are broad enough to indicate with any certainty. My libertarian leanings alienate me from any political conversation online on social media with them. Despite the entitlement, my colleagues work hard and are more liberal than truly socialist- showing more fear of freedom than respect for it. Drugs, hookers? They are fine with that. Guns? Not so much. Britain is especially firearm-phobic. Despite this, there is obviously tons of gun crime in London and some pretty severe gun crime here in Amsterdam too.
Most of the younger Europeans I meet, are staunchly invested in liberal idealogy. Thinking that the state can fix things and protect them, there is an undertone that socialism just hasn't been done 'right' yet.

With all that said, I think a rise of the far-right is inevitable with the tide of economic migrants/refugees that are flooding into Germany and the rest of europe. I do not think Britain will fall for the hard left of Corbyn, I would be stunned if they did. And then looking for work in Asia most likely. But never is a strong word, I don't know what the future holds. The current conservative government is on this ice with my generation (which up until now has been largely marginalised as non voting/non political) and are simply the best of two bad options. Now I reflect on it, I do not see any half way decent political faction that does not represent the same old nonsense that has been tried again and again.

I could write more, but I think you are familiar with most of what I have to say, I would love to hear THX thoughts on this.