Some reflections on Europe's elections
Most Europeans do not identify with Europe in the first place. Their identification with the nation state is also becoming more and more precarious. Anger, resentment and discontent are often focused on the new groups of immigrants. These immigrants, mostly recruited from the underprivileged rural class in the remoter areas of Morocco and Turkey, are being pampered in every imaginable way. They are often lavishly subsidised, they often misbehave but are left undisturbed by the police and whoever dares criticise them is immediately branded a racist.
What few people seem to realize is that the national governments (especially those of Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, France) actually are using these immigrants to sow discord amongst the citizens. Native Europeans are being made afraid, unsafe and insecure on purpose. Their governments want them to be afraid, because that way they can avoid losing what is left of their legitimacy. Fear has always been a great way to control the population. That is why European governments want their citizens to be afraid.
The effect of the various “EU”, US-dictated and national policies on Europe's political, cultural and social traditions is devastating. Even urban life in Europe has been traditionally based on trust, not on rules. Rules are king in the Anglosaxon parts of the world (including Britain and the US).
Most pernicious of all European policies will prove to be the use of fear as a political instrument. So far it would seem to be creating the desired results, most importantly the surprising docility of the general public. However, the politics of fear that have been determining European life during the past decade will eventually destroy Europe's social fabric. I am afraid reconstructing what is now being destroyed will prove to be far beyond the capabilities of Europe. In comparison, post-1945 reconstruction will turn out to have been a piece of cake.
