France’s republic was born of insurrection and has never forgotten it. French pupils learn that protest, uprising and rioting are the origin story of their freedoms, so these methods are championed in promoting change. We grew up in school with the idea that if you don’t like something, you have the power to change it. The language of rights, citizenship and collective power is woven into French education. The French Revolution appears in the curriculum twice, for pupils aged 12 and then again at 16; the student protests of 1968 are taught at age 14 and again at 17. Debating is encouraged in schools from as early as collège, or at about 11 years old. Young people are expected to have an opinion and not be afraid to defend it.
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Protesting is taught as a legally framed fundamental right and a civic responsibility.
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You give up your individual interests for the volonté générale (general will) – put simply, you pay heavy taxes and in return you expect the country to work.
Imagine.
Britons, on the other hand, are subjects of the UK and are characterised more by an American-style individualism and a desire to live and let live. There is less collective spirit.
We are citizens under modern UK law, not subjects.
Not sure individualism is American, pretty sure it existed here long before we colonised America. The saying ‘An English man’s home is his castle’ sounds pretty individualistic.
I think protest have just shown to be ineffectual. Iraq war protests were huge, Blair just ignored them.
Might have ignored them less if his workplace was on fire.