France also is the cradle of liberal economic ideas, its culture did not start in 1968. And let's face it, the protesters demand are not realistic, they are about kicking the can down the road a bit more before it explodes
It feels like a natural outcome of liberalism, social democratic band aids are kicking the can down the road before it explodes into the working class rioting on the streets. Can only do so much austerity and wealth redistribution to the wealthy, i.e. "IMF-approved, sound economic policies without alternative" before that happens.
The real problems are the unfortunate contradictions in end of politics style liberalism: growing wealth inequality, wage stagnation, increased worker efficiency and record profits, the media can only do so much to hide it. So protesters are under the impression that their demands are realistic, of course thats at the root of the argument and your outlook on it depends on your degree of faith in liberalism.
How do you call the working class defending longer working hours/lives ? They're literally proles, by definition, and are pushing for things which aren't in their own interests
It reminds me of "socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires"
