Several months ago, I attended a talk by French writer Guy Milliere in Southern California. Here is his take on the Tunisian uprising. His article, from his blog DRZZ, is entitled, "A Cold Look on the Situation in Tunisia". It is in French.
http://www.drzz.info/article-un-regard-froid-sur-la-situation-en-tunisie-par-guy-milliere-65083066.html
Milliere, who writes extensively on the threat of radical Islam in France and elsewhere, is hoping for the best in Tunisia. However, he is not as optimistic as those who are anticipating the coming of democracy and freedom in that region. His conclusion is that while Ben Ali was a corrupt dictator, the likely end result in Tunisia will probably be worse-an Islamic government.
Millere points out three factors that do not bode well in Tunisia. First is the large number of young, educated Tunisians who do not have job prospects, second, their inabiltiy in sufficient numbers to find work in Europe and the rise of food prices. He foresees the Islamists taking advantage of the turmoil to advance their agenda.
Ah, Milliere is so wise. The way to promote democracy in North Africa is to expand the job prospects of its educated youth in Europe. Expanding Muslim immigration to Europe is the road to Islamic democracy!
ReplyDeleteThat's sarcasm of course, but neatly frames why I don't put much stock in self-styled "experts" like Milliere. He starts with a skeptical premise, casts about for stray facts which sustain what he already decided on, and stumbles into nonsense trying to explain it.
By the way, last Sunday I got into Chicago via Amtrak and took the Red Line uptown, passing the legendary Wrigely Field, home of the future World Series champion Chicago Cubs. Off topic? Well, it sheds about equal light on Tunisia as Milliere does. But on Fousesquawk, the Cubs are always on topic, n'est-ce pas?