Race Tensions Turn Red-hot in Belgium

[Colon™]

Xenophobe and socially conservative. (the xenophobe bit matters the most)

[Ned]

Thanks, Colon. To me the "far right" can mean at least two things: 1) libertarian or 2) socially conservative. I consider authoritarianism more typical of the left.

But many also consider the far-right to be out-and-out racists (racism and social conservatism at time go hand-in-hand). I thought that is what was meant by this nut-job being a far-right person.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Well the guy was/is obviously nuts. But if it comes out he was working alone, then everyone should just drop it. Doing sociological analysis why he did what he did is simply unproductive and it annoys me.

I too don't think it is time for sociological analysis already. However, this seems to be a major issue in Belgium right now, and a very emotional one. Two crimes have made major headlines within a month, and emotions are running high.

[Ned]

Spiffor, how is Le Pen doing in France these days?

[Colon™]

Ned, authoritarianism is also usually associated with the far right in Europe and they tend to be very nationalistic a well.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Colon?
Ned, authoritarianism is also usually associated with the far right in Europe.

I know. But, surely all communist nations of Europe and elsewhere are also authoritarian. The common thing about such regimes is lack of "democracy."

[Dr Strangelove]

Worldwide there are tons of regimes that are authoritarian but definitely not communist. Take Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, for example.

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by Spiffor

I too don't think it is time for sociological analysis already. However, this seems to be a major issue in Belgium right now, and a very emotional one. Two crimes have made major headlines within a month, and emotions are running high.

Ups, it could have read that I'm telling the forum to drop it. Sorry, didn't mean that . I was thinking about the media and politicians, who are probably going to produce a lot of PC/"what can society do" crap for a period now. Good thing I don't live in Belgium

[alva]

They're already talking about taking away the funds for the far-right party (all parties are state funded).
That's gonna bite them seriously in the arse and I don't mean the far right party involved here.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove
Worldwide there are tons of regimes that are authoritarian but definitely not communist. Take Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, for example.

Authoritarianism seems independent of left-right orientation to the extent that left means using government to help the lower classes and right to protect the upper, which is a more traditional understanding of left-right. It would be wrong to conclude or to assume that the left is always democratic.

[Ted Striker]

Wow that's crazy, never think of these things happening in a place like Belgium

[alva]

That's why it's such a big thing here.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Spiffor

I too don't think it is time for sociological analysis already. However, this seems to be a major issue in Belgium right now, and a very emotional one. Two crimes have made major headlines within a month, and emotions are running high.

I dont like it when folks charecterize the US based on the act of an individual loon, and I wont charecterize Belgium that way.

BTW, spiff, is the Halimi murder still an emotional issue in France?

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=684462&contrassID=19

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
BTW, spiff, is the Halimi murder still an emotional issue in France?

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/S...&contrassID=19

I have the impression that this murder is still highly emotional among Jews. However, the rest of the population has moved on, what with the epic protests of Feb-April, and with the current massive government scandal.

It was highly emotional in the entire population (or at least in the entire media, I haven't read polls) when it was current however.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Are there enough immigrants in Belgium to start a spiral of violence anyway?

Possibly. IIUC, the tensions between elements in the North African community and the rest of the society are not insignificant.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4025115.stm