French Socialism

[BeBMan]

I'm always wondering why people call everything "socialism" just because there's some more regulation and social welfare stuff. Maybe it's just me, but I thought Renault, Aérospatiale, or France Télécom etc. are as capitalist as anyone else in the US or UK.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

If English speaking countries are so nice, why do wealthy people from there insist on buying homes in rural France, Spain and Italy?

You aren't serious with this question, right? The Tennessee countryside or northern Wyoming would be very nice destinations to build a home if I was a millionaire, but in no way would I think those regions had a higher quality of life than, say, New York State.

Wealthy people do purchase homes in areas that have nice scenery you do realize?

Sure, but they also purchase homes in areas that have low crime rates and, more importantly, a high standard of living, food and culture.

You can't tell me that the USA or even the UK comes close to France or Italy in either respect.

The basic point of the article is that English speaking critics have been criticizing the French model for years. The same goes for the Nordic model. It's always only a few months/years from collapse. But it never happens. The Swedes in particular must look at other countries with amusement.

Oh, and if the article is basically correct, that the rest of the world is jealous of France... where is your application for French citizenship?

I don't need to apply as I am a citizen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. I have the right to live and work in France if I so wish. But I would really need to brush up on my French (I had to pass reading competency for my PhD, but it wasn't that hard and I am sure I could pick it up again).

[VetLegion]

I'm not so sure BeBro. US government probably would let Chrysler or GM go bankrupt if business conditions were such, but would the French let Renault sink if bad times came? I don't think so.

[BeBMan]

Well, officially it's privatized since the 1990ies. But yeah, not sure if they simply would let it happen.

But overall my comment was more about how they're doing business.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Agathon
Sure, but they also purchase homes in areas that have low crime rates and, more importantly, a high standard of living, food and culture.

You can't tell me that the USA or even the UK comes close to France or Italy in either respect.

Please... obviously you've never heard of places like San Francisco, and the wine country not far from it. Or places like Beverly Hills where many rich Americans live.

Wealthy people like buying homes (or building homes) in places with a great view. There are plenty of areas with low crime rate and they can always find high standards of living or food or, if they want, culture.

Look at Bill Gates' primary home for one. I have also seen Jack Nicholsen's (summer?) home in Wyoming, overlooking a river. It's all about the view. If they really want the culture or food, they can always fly to Paris for dinner.

But I really don't see this mass exodus of wealthy American and British people to the rural areas of France and Italy. Sure some have a second home (or primary residence in rare occasions) in, say, Tuscany, but its not all that many.

[The Vagabond]

Weak article, largely propagandistic.

But the issue itself is extremely interesting. What are the real factors behind France doing so well, in contradiction with the Anglo-Saxon worldview?

About Brits buying houses in France and not vice versa: doesn't the climate have something to do with it?

[LordShiva]

If France is doing so well, why do hundreds of marginalized, unemployed youths go around burning so many cars

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Please... obviously you've never heard of places like San Francisco, and the wine country not far from it. Or places like Beverly Hills where many rich Americans live.

You are honestly comparing California wine country with the French wine country?

What next? The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in comparison with the Louvre?

San Francisco is well-known as the haunt of the self conscious nouveau riche. I guess the only reason one might have for moving there is if you're gay, since it is the homosexual capital of the world.

Wealthy people like buying homes (or building homes) in places with a great view. There are plenty of areas with low crime rate and they can always find high standards of living or food or, if they want, culture.

Not in the US. You are seriously comparing the standard of food available in France with that available in the US?

Ooookaayyy....

Look at Bill Gates' primary home for one.

Gates' house is widely regarded as the tasteless McMansion of a lifelong vulgarian. Isn't it the house that plays Elvis records to you as you walk around?

I have also seen Jack Nicholsen's (summer?) home in Wyoming, overlooking a river. It's all about the view. If they really want the culture or food, they can always fly to Paris for dinner.

I don't think that's why people buy homes in rural France. I think the idea is to go to the local market and buy the local cheese, etc.

I've never heard of the gourmet cheeses of Wyoming. Last I heard the local delicacy was gopher.

But I really don't see this mass exodus of wealthy American and British people to the rural areas of France and Italy. Sure some have a second home (or primary residence in rare occasions) in, say, Tuscany, but its not all that many.

There are a great many British people who retire to the continent. A home in Tuscany would set you back a fair bit.

On the other hand, it's probably not as nice as it was, with loud former CEOs called "Dwight" bellowing at the locals because they think that the louder you shout in English, the more likely it is that foreigners will understand you.

I couldn't see myself there. I grew up in the country. It smells like cow crap.

[Arrian]

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Agathon
You are honestly comparing California wine country with the French wine country?

If you haven't noticed, California wines are matching French wins in tastings around the world. Also the weather and general area is far more agreeable in California wine country.

Not in the US. You are seriously comparing the standard of food available in France with that available in the US?

You wouldn't take New York City cuisine over French countryside? Or Hell, Chicago, Seattle, etc. Sure you have Paris, but I'm doubting that's in the French countryside .

Gates' house is widely regarded as the tasteless McMansion of a lifelong vulgarian. Isn't it the house that plays Elvis records to you as you walk around?

Yep (if that's your user preference) .

Quite an amazing house, full of technological marvels.

I don't think that's why people buy homes in rural France. I think the idea is to go to the local market and buy the local cheese, etc.

Yeah... right. These rich folk are going to the local market to buy the local cheese!! What tripe!

I've never heard of the gourmet cheeses of Wyoming. Last I heard the local delicacy was gopher.

And why are all these rich folk living in Jackson Hole? It must be the local market, right?

There are a great many British people who retire to the continent. A home in Tuscany would set you back a fair bit.

As stated, for many Brits, the weather is far better on the continent.

[Adrian Hon]

If France is attracting more tourists than any country in the world as well as high levels of foreign investment, it is because the quality of life is so high. When I hear the British bashing France's supposed weaknesses, I wonder why so few French people buy houses in the British countryside, while so many Britons are doing so in France. The reason is the same: The quality of life in France is one of the highest in the world, if not the best. No doubt about it.

If this is the case, why aren't hordes of Britons buying houses in Norway and Sweden? Wait, is it because of the weather and scenery? I can't believe that this part made it through.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Adrian Hon

If this is the case, why aren't hordes of Britons buying houses in Norway and Sweden? Wait, is it because of the weather and scenery? I can't believe that this part made it through.

I don't think that they are very exciting places. And it's rather cold. After all, Edmonton is not a bad place, but look at how grumpy living in the sub arctic has made NYE.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Adrian Hon


If this is the case, why aren't hordes of Britons buying houses in Norway and Sweden? Wait, is it because of the weather and scenery? I can't believe that this part made it through.

As opposed to teh other parts?

"Teh young are as dynamic as teh old are stuffy! RAWWRR!"

[Ramo]

Not in the US. You are seriously comparing the standard of food available in France with that available in the US?

Ooookaayyy....

Hell yeah. The only place in Europe that's comparable to cities like NY, SF, Chicago, hell even Houston in terms of food is London. If you have a limited palatte, France is good (say, you only like European food, maybe some West African, Vietnamese and Algerian food), but it's hard to beat the US in sheer variety. Immigrants

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Adrian Hon
If this is the case, why aren't hordes of Britons buying houses in Norway and Sweden? Wait, is it because of the weather and scenery? I can't believe that this part made it through.

Like Shiva said, a pre-high schooler seems to have written this article. It lacks logical reasoning of any kind.