Kitty Sayers examines the distinct differences in student activism between France and the United Kingdom. While British youth face significant challenges, including high debt levels, limited housing access, and systemic inequality, they rarely engage in large-scale public demonstrations. In contrast, French students frequently organize collective protests to voice their grievances. Sayers attributes this disparity to the French educational system, which emphasizes the nation's revolutionary history and the social contract between the state and its citizens. This cultural foundation, reinforced by national symbols like the anthem, encourages a tradition of public dissent that remains absent in British society. The author suggests that these historical and educational influences play a crucial role in shaping how young people respond to political and economic frustrations in their respective countries.
Source : The Guardian
Photo : The Guardian
