On the failure of multiculturalism in Europe

[oslo]

I'd like to springboard off of this post in another community to discuss a disturbing development in European culture and politics caused by the Syrian refugee crisis. In my view, it really calls into question whether we can really all just get along

Comments

[thedr9wningman]

Thanks for starting an enlightening discussion. I have little to add, but this:

In response to: "How is the utopian vision of the European Union possible, when its citizens are so easily whipped into xenophobic, racist furor?"

This is not something unique to Europeans. As a citizen of the US and a world traveller, I've learnt one thing; to paraphrase: ignorance is the default case and ignorance: conservatism:: educated: liberalism/pragmatism.

I've seen it a million times: conservatives create a limited worldview, and then get upset when people don't tow the line. It revolves around the simplistic disciplines of authoritarianism and hierarchy.

Libertarians (extremists) make similar logical mistakes in assuming that everyone is enlightened enough to not require order, usually from a social/supra-personal scope.

In my mind (I'm a social Democrat/Green in European politics), Europe still gets a lot more right than wrong. But human tribalism and instincts turn a blind eye to overcoming educated points of view, allowing even the most intelligent of us to regress to a base, conservative (in this case, racist?) set of policies. It's the worst of any of us, but to be expected with stressors in any social system.

I hope the best for all of you. And hope that a Democrat wins the next election in America so we can do our share in this humanitarian crisis for the poor Syrians.