In 1848, demonstrations rose across Europe. These demonstrations grew to the point of pressuring rulers and ministers to flee their lands, toppling governments, and fostering opportunity for revolutionaries to arise. These revolutionaries across the ideological spectrum (Liberal, Socialist, and Nationalist), worked to bring their ideologies to reality. Of the major powers in Europe, it was only Great Britain and Russia who remained stable in the time of change. Great Britain, because previous revolts, such as the War of the Roses, had led to various reforms allowing some semblance of popular power. Russia on the other hand held tight to complete autocratic control stamping out all signs of dissent, for another seventy years.
Today, we see demonstrations across the globe, from the Tea Party in the United States to Muslims in France to the Unions in Greece. Just as the beginnings of the revolts of 1848, protests of entirely different philosophies are arising across the globe, not just Europe this time. National debt leaves many who put their entire hopes on the safety net of the state with their lives on the brink of disaster. The governments of the world can no longer afford to pay for the welfare of the people. In the United States, the back of the taxpayer is breaking, as we see tax revenue falling sharply, not due to tax cuts, but because there is less and less opportunity to create wealth.
The Egyptian government is not the first government to fall under the wave of protest. The Tunisian government has fallen and thousands are fleeing north to Italy. The Government of Belgium collapsed last year, admittedly with little fan fare as much of the attention of the world was focused on the recent collapse of Iceland's Government and the impending collapse the government of Greece. With these collapses have come power vacuums. In some cases, the International Community has stepped in. Nations chose to bear more debt themselves in order to prevent the complete collapse of a whole region.
Just as we saw in 1848 however, there comes another beast that will threaten whatever stability this world has maintained through the shifting of money through bailouts and other haphazard measures: famine. However, unlike the famines of the 1840s which helped to foster the spread of radical thoughts, this famine is largely man-made. The leaders of the world have chosen to sacrifice food and food prices for, other choices, such as Corn for Ethanol. Food prices across the globe have quietly risen. This has put pressure on the people and across the world, they are taking into the streets.
Right now, many of these movements, those who have received the most attention, those in the Middle East have been labeled "Democratic." Whether or not these movements, in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen, Algeria, Iran, and others, are "Democratic" or "Fundamental Islamist" does not matter. Many are celebrating the rise against the "unjust" governments who have held down these people for so long. Could this be the rise of a new, more democratic Muslim World? Or is it, as some have suggested, the rebirth of an Islamic Caliphate? That is the issue for the Muslim World.
For the rest of the world has issues of its own. The people in Europe, the United States, and even China are becoming more impatient with their governments. China has seen their prices rise and for the billions who do not make up China's more powerful economic class, this is leading to widespread hunger and dissatisfaction. However, I would argue that China is 1848's Russia. Their powerful government has the ability to quash dissent.
That begs the question as to the fate of the United States. Are we the equivalent of Great Britain? No. The United States faces the prospect of challenges never before seen on this continent. There already is enough of a percentage of the American population who thinks the Constitution is too obsolete, or that the government has become entirely too corrupt and untrustworthy. Add the debt which has now reached the level of the American economy as a whole, and economy depressed, with no end end sight.
There can be no question that if the pressures continue to mount worldwide, that the United States will see its levels of unrest. The Tea Party, with the slander and libel it has faced over its short life, has been peaceful. However, how long will their patience last? What happens when the Unions here have to face the prospect of cuts necessarily more drastic than those offered in Greece? Do they sit quietly?
The world has faced similar pressures before. The top has boiled over and in 1848, Europe saw revolts across the continent. In 1848, the revolutionaries failed. While some of their ideas would be adopted, no radical movement gained power. Instead, the seeds were sown for rise of Nationalism which led to the Unification of Germany and Italy and to the Great War.
What will be the results of the present unrest in the world? Does the flame expand beyond its present boundaries. Will governments support the rising movements proclaiming their "democratic" origins while sowing the seeds of their own people's discontent? Or will they stand firm in support of the governments presently in power?
Today, we see demonstrations across the globe, from the Tea Party in the United States to Muslims in France to the Unions in Greece. Just as the beginnings of the revolts of 1848, protests of entirely different philosophies are arising across the globe, not just Europe this time. National debt leaves many who put their entire hopes on the safety net of the state with their lives on the brink of disaster. The governments of the world can no longer afford to pay for the welfare of the people. In the United States, the back of the taxpayer is breaking, as we see tax revenue falling sharply, not due to tax cuts, but because there is less and less opportunity to create wealth.
The Egyptian government is not the first government to fall under the wave of protest. The Tunisian government has fallen and thousands are fleeing north to Italy. The Government of Belgium collapsed last year, admittedly with little fan fare as much of the attention of the world was focused on the recent collapse of Iceland's Government and the impending collapse the government of Greece. With these collapses have come power vacuums. In some cases, the International Community has stepped in. Nations chose to bear more debt themselves in order to prevent the complete collapse of a whole region.
Just as we saw in 1848 however, there comes another beast that will threaten whatever stability this world has maintained through the shifting of money through bailouts and other haphazard measures: famine. However, unlike the famines of the 1840s which helped to foster the spread of radical thoughts, this famine is largely man-made. The leaders of the world have chosen to sacrifice food and food prices for, other choices, such as Corn for Ethanol. Food prices across the globe have quietly risen. This has put pressure on the people and across the world, they are taking into the streets.
Right now, many of these movements, those who have received the most attention, those in the Middle East have been labeled "Democratic." Whether or not these movements, in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen, Algeria, Iran, and others, are "Democratic" or "Fundamental Islamist" does not matter. Many are celebrating the rise against the "unjust" governments who have held down these people for so long. Could this be the rise of a new, more democratic Muslim World? Or is it, as some have suggested, the rebirth of an Islamic Caliphate? That is the issue for the Muslim World.
For the rest of the world has issues of its own. The people in Europe, the United States, and even China are becoming more impatient with their governments. China has seen their prices rise and for the billions who do not make up China's more powerful economic class, this is leading to widespread hunger and dissatisfaction. However, I would argue that China is 1848's Russia. Their powerful government has the ability to quash dissent.
That begs the question as to the fate of the United States. Are we the equivalent of Great Britain? No. The United States faces the prospect of challenges never before seen on this continent. There already is enough of a percentage of the American population who thinks the Constitution is too obsolete, or that the government has become entirely too corrupt and untrustworthy. Add the debt which has now reached the level of the American economy as a whole, and economy depressed, with no end end sight.
There can be no question that if the pressures continue to mount worldwide, that the United States will see its levels of unrest. The Tea Party, with the slander and libel it has faced over its short life, has been peaceful. However, how long will their patience last? What happens when the Unions here have to face the prospect of cuts necessarily more drastic than those offered in Greece? Do they sit quietly?
The world has faced similar pressures before. The top has boiled over and in 1848, Europe saw revolts across the continent. In 1848, the revolutionaries failed. While some of their ideas would be adopted, no radical movement gained power. Instead, the seeds were sown for rise of Nationalism which led to the Unification of Germany and Italy and to the Great War.
What will be the results of the present unrest in the world? Does the flame expand beyond its present boundaries. Will governments support the rising movements proclaiming their "democratic" origins while sowing the seeds of their own people's discontent? Or will they stand firm in support of the governments presently in power?
We are sitting on the edge of History. No matter the results, our posterity will read about us and the paths we choose to take in the History books. Or maybe not, as how many of us remember the Revolutions of 1848?
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