@ Tous les lecteurs, ceci :
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-11-07/politics-dystopia-redux
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/politics-dystopia-redux-erico-matias-tavares

Nouriel Roubini recently penned an article titled “Europe’s Politics of Dystopia”, citing the rise of nationalistic movements across Europe as a harbinger of terrible things to come. It seems that the renowned Dr. Doom - one of the few economists to have anticipated the 2008 financial crisis - is back in the limelight with some more dire warnings.

Ah, but this time he’s late. In case you have been hibernating, the European Union (EU) is already in a complete state of disarray. Everywhere you look - economy, politics, security, society, demographics
- there are very serious problems with no credible solution in sight.

This does not bode well for the future of the EU, starting with those who will be living in it.

Out of the top-10 OECD countries with the highest youth unemployment rate, 8 are EU member states, each with high double digit figures. Politicians might still blame the Eurozone financial crisis for this dire situation, but this is nothing new : the economic growth rates of member states have been very poor for over a decade now. The fact is that the EU has consistently failed to promote policies that can provide decent employment opportunities to its youngest citizens.

That first step in the job ladder is hugely important for the future prospects of any generation. This one is particularly important since their contribution is badly needed to pay for their elders’ welfare, as well as all the fiscal largesse to “stimulate the economy” facilitated by the ECB’s monetization of unprecedented levels of debt. Some of that stimulus found its way into the housing market. Good for the economy you say, but terrible if you need to find cheap housing to start a life.

One consequence for this generation is easy to predict : no job + expensive housing = put off starting a family.

Europe’s demographics is a complicated issue, but the current situation is alarming. Less babies means less people to pay for Europe’s generous welfare and retirement systems. Instead of addressing these problems head on, EU politicians prefer to let them fester. Populism trumps everything. After being elected President of France, François Hollande even lowered the retirement age !

Europeans are so desperate for new blood that they will take in virtually anybody, showering them with social benefits while demanding little integration into their societies in return. The result is growing pockets of alienated minorities, portraying a disintegrating social fabric especially in the richest member states. Sweden is an interesting case study in this regard. For decades it has been the most welcoming country in the world for refugees, but the failure to properly integrate them is evident in rampant crime and declining social performance statistics.

Sweden also showcases the current vigor of the EU’s diplomatic relations - or lack thereof. Earlier this year, Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallstrom dared to criticize Saudi Arabia for its appalling human rights record. A sensible and courageous position you might say, but one which got her into hot water with her own peers back home, no doubt reflecting pressure from the Saudis. Even the Swedish king, largely just a political figurehead, chastised her for such conduct. It turns out that one bright spot of European industry is the burgeoning arms sales to such repressive regimes (perhaps because there’s no need to fake emissions ?). That they might actually end up in the hands of extremists is of no concern.

And now the EU is facing yet another gigantic crisis, unable to stop the flow of millions of migrants pouring in. There had been plenty of forewarning that something big was brewing, even by Europe’s laxist immigration standards. But once again EU leaders were caught totally on the back foot. The response was completely disjointed as a result, creating even more discord among member states.

Fin de la première partie.