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+--- Thread: The Financial Crisis and Nationalism in Europe? (/thread-4197.html)
The Financial Crisis and Nationalism in Europe? - ^Eveline^ - 11-19-2009
Do you think that there is a connection between those two?
I think recently the influence of the financial crisis has been 'exposed' in all spheres of life. To what extent it is a media 'phenomenon' and to what extent is it real, is difficult to judge for me. That is why, I would be happy to hear your opinion on that topic.
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Re: The Financial Crisis and Nationalism in Europe? - Big_Becka - 11-23-2009
In a word: yes!
We have around 3 million immigrants employed in the UK. Last spring, unemployment reached 3 million. So, on the surface, we do not need any foreign labour ;-)
Nationalism has been increasing even during the boom years, but was most marked in the last election. Most political parties were talking about our "Christian Country," and promoting "traditional family values" :roll: (This is, of course, rubbish - we have always been a diverse trading nation!) The British National Party (BNP) have gained significant support, and a number of other right wing and 'Christian' parties exist.
The "War on Terror" caused particular problems for muslim communities (some of whom relocated to Europe several generations ago). It is well documented that some established British Muslim communities feel victimised.
There has been an emergence of gun crime and gang warfare in 'black' areas of cities. This is thought to be a result of long term deprivation and lack of facilities in these areas. For example, the schools are often bad, so children cannot become educated and change their circumstances.
My experience of working in factories is that immigrants are mercilessly exploited: they do not know health and safety guidelines, and they sign risk assessments that they cannot read. They are then employed in preference to "trouble-making" British workers. Conditions on factory lines deteriorated significantly around 2003-2004. Exploitation of illegal immigrants - often in illegal work like prostitution, or dangerous work - is a particular problem, because they have no rights.
As you have probably gathered from my other posts, Polish immigrants are particularly controversial! Initially they were building some respect, and were renowned as hard workers
Then it emerged that workers were claiming child benefit for children that were still living in Poland! We are told that the Polish government actively encourage those who work in the UK to exploit our benefit system. Meanwhile, British people do not usually receive the same advice in exploiting the benefit system, and the government have made it harder to claim benefits. In my town, homelessness has increased significantly over the last year (there are no shelters left!), and I was very nearly part of that statistic! 
hock: There has also been violent clashes between working-class Irish communities and immigrant Romanian populations in Ulster. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194957/100-Romanians-leave-Northern-Ireland-racist-attacks.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tacks.html</a><!-- m -->
One in five babies are born to immigrant mothers, and the UK birthrate is reaching an all-time high. The National Health Service is not coping - putting all mothers and babies at risk - and our schools are struggling.
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