Patrick Merlot
Data Science, Computational Science, Electronic Systems, IoT, Mobile Communication, Dialectical materialism
Why so many rebellions in France?
What does the left?
Neoliberalism's role
in the resurgence of Fascism
liberty, equality, fraternity
security, meritocracy, hope [1]
slides.com/patechoc/the-left-against-neoliberalism-and-fascism
before Macron:
after Macron:
What happens in France?
Acceleration of neoliberal policies
- Privatization of Assets
- Privatization of services/state-missions
- Deregulation of the job market
- Deregulation of finance
- De-industrialization (relocated, dismantled)
- Creating markets opened to global competition
- Reducing public expenditure
- Reducing public/state income
- Limiting subsidies
- Encouraging freedom of trade
Fighthing for our Social protection (1946-2019)
What happens in France?
Concentration of media by a few billionaires
What happens in France?
Billionaires' propaganda (pro-capital, racism to divide, …)
What happens in France?
Increase of inequalities between rich and poor
- tax cuts for the wealthy (without positive effect on economy)
- the 10 richest men doubling their fortune during covid,
while 10% of the population under poverty threshold -
Macron's bonus: rewarding meritocracy with bonuses,
not contributing to the social security administration! - Removing "tax on TV", therefore cutting funding for public media
What happens in France?
Increase of inequalities between rich and poor
What happens in France?
Increase of inequalities between rich and poor
What happens in France?
How do people react?
Peaceful protest (mostly) - No strike (almost)
- 2010: protest against pension reform
- 2016, 2017: demonstration against labor reform encouraging precarious jobs & deminishing employees' rights
- protests against climate inaction (government convicted)
- protests against tax inequalities: Gilets Jaunes/Yellow vests
- protest against COVID vaccine pass (vs parlement, any proof?! )
- demonstration of the health workers
- demonstration of the firemen
- protest against the reform of the judicial police
- protest against cost of goods & climate inaction
- oct. 2022: strike of fuel depot workers !!!
What happens in France?
Violent repression of Macron's governments
What happens in France?
Violent repression of Macron's governments
What happens in France?
Violent repression of Macron's governments
How answers the left?
Disunited for the presidential elections
How answers the left?
Disunited for the presidential elections
+ 40 thematic booklets !!!!
Macron: 3 weeks
before elections
How answers the left?
Re-united for the parliamentary elections
How answers the left?
Supporting strike movements
How answers the left?
Demonstration to defend our values and show our strength
With Annie Ernaux, Nobel price in literature 2022 demonstrating with NUPES against cost of life and climate inaction (oct. 2022)
How answers the left?
Meeting people
How answers the left?
Re-politicizing with small local Action Groups (~20 max.)
How answers the left?
Debunking fascist/neoliberal ideology & their disinformation
ex.: "France des assistés" ("France of assisted persons")
#1: National solidarity is a right, not a privilege
#2: Everyone is assisted, even you
#3: Being eligible to legal aid doesn't make you lazy, nor a scrounge
#4: work == employment? Not always, people unemployed can work
#5: No, No! Income support/aids are not higher than the minimum wage
#6: France isn't more generous than other countries
#7: Solidarity is the foundation of human societies
#8: No one is happy to be poor
#9: Divide and rule policy
How answers the left?
Showing how fascism & neoliberalism help each other
How answers the left?
Showing how fascism & neoliberalism help each other
Rise of fascism
+13% increase of racist & anti-religious crimes
Rise of fascism
a deputy from far right
shouts "go back to Africa" in the parliament !!
Maximal sanction:
50% decrease in salary
from 7493€ to 3746€
(only!)
Can we understand the rise of fascism?
People disgusted with governments operating like a mafia
Can we understand the rise of fascism?
People disgusted with governments operating like a mafia
Can we understand the rise of fascism?
People disgusted with governments operating like a mafia
Can we understand the rise of fascism?
People disgusted with governments operating like a mafia
The Making of Autocrats
Injustice of (neo)liberalism paved the way to far right parties
Autocrats can-be/are-being elected globally:
- they weaponize fear amongs people in social distress
- they exploits religions
- they rewrite history
- no democratic mechanisms to prevent them to assault democratic institutions
- once elected, they undermine institutions, rewrite constitutions
- presidential system of checks & balances is very hard in a context of extreme polarization
- "There is an imminent, authoritarian threat [...] we need a very broad coalition [... ] to finish this transition to multiracial democracy"
To Prevent an Autocracy,
Defeat Liberalism First
Research shows:
- it is innate to wish for equality
- we can acknowledge fair/unfair inequalities
-
we need to fight unfair inequalities for society to succeed
- fight corruption
- promote social justice (economic, political, social rights, ...)
-
inequalities are more bearable where the welfare state is strong
- fight liberal/neoliberal policies
- alternatives to capitalism exist (cf. Bernard Friot, reseau-salariat)
the left against neoliberalism and fascism
By Patrick Merlot
