The EU suffers from the double bind of being protectionist of its industries – that’s literally what it’s for – while at the same time explicitly allowing direct attacks on those industries and its single market because the US tech industry – protected by the US and their dominance over the global economy – has broadened the scope of its ambitions to include “everything, everywhere.” If the EU moves to protect their industries they are acting against the technopoly and US hegemony that frames their very understanding of the world. At the same time their very reason for existence is the protection of their local industries and market and allowing their destruction is unthinkable. Neither action is conceivable, hence the double bind. Psychologically, a double bind like this would feel as confusing as being told you have to bite your own arm because the arm misbehaving. Even if it’s correct, even if your arm is indeed misbehaving and biting it is indeed all you can do to stop it, the thought still has the flavour of madness.
Other countries and regions historically allied with the US are in a similar internal conflict.
Voters, labour, and industry increasingly demand checks on the US tech industry. Populist politicians speak out against social media platforms. Tech companies are compared directly to the tobacco industry. Right-wing nationalist calls for “sovereignty” are redefined to include technological autonomy.
I’m not sure I agree on the last part of your last sentence, is that a fact? It feels like there’s plenty of opportunity for social encounters in (larger) town centres, thanks to the much larger number of cafés, restaurants and such compared to my childhood/youth (at least in the parts of Denmark and France that I know). And also an understanding that cities need free spaces (parks and similar).
For physical goods shopping I have no comment, I believe that part.
It might also depend on traffic policies - there are huge differences between Denmark and France and Germany.
But it sometimes appears as if what is left of German middle towns centres are shoe shops. Even malls become pretty monotonous. I know one that has at least four chains for cheap spectacles almost side by side…
Absolutely, city planning plays a massive role in this. As well as perceived attractiveness of the city (are people migrating to or away from the place). My view is pretty skewed because I’ve lived mostly in high quality of life areas, so I can’t speak for small-town depopulation and decay.
There might be a network effect happening, where formerly someone out shopping for physical goods would more easily run into friends or acquaintances and together they could decide to stop at a bakery, café, or bar for a drink and/or a bite to eat. Nowadays you need to explicitly plan to go out and socialize instead of meeting up online or just plugging in to an online community.