Rooinek
I am worried about the political situation in the world today - as well as of course SA, I study trends and not politico's. Irrespective of what side they are on - they are in the game in the main for self-interest or are being helped along by the wealthy to do what they desire.
I do think open borders will create massive problems for the residents in countries. When I watched the Yellow Vests protests in Paris I was amazed by the number of Blacks being part of the protests - also obvious Muslims. There are obviously one major problem they face.- their own jobs are under threat by the new arrivals, The same thing is happening in SA - the local residents hates the migrants and whenever they get a chance they go for them.
However - in Europe the situation is vastly different. The past two decades the standard of living of the middle class and workers have declined badly and the reason for that is blamed on the EU and their rules as to industrialization, budget control and virtually everything affecting the lives of people. The local laws are often over-ridden by what the EU decides - even the budget of individual countries are also subject to approval by the EU,
As a result large industrial areas - like in Normandy are closed down virtually completely and the workers are now jobless. There is unemployment assistance, but is controlled by what the EU allows and frankly inadequate. That situation is found not only in France - but also in virtually every other member-country bar Germany. Because Germany is the richest country in Europe - they virtually control the EU so the end result is what Germany wants the EU approves. The Germans want competing industries in other countries closed down to reduce competitiveness and that is what actually happens.
In the USA there is the famous "Rust Belt" which used to be the heartland of Industry in the US. The problem developed that the labour costs in Mexiko for instance is much lower - so major industry started closing down industries in the USA and relocate them to Central and South American countries, They did not care an iota about the workers who lost their jobs.
That type of situation will inevitably effect politics in the USA and Western Europe. In the min you find a bloke like Trump as president of the USA. I do not think the guy is stupid - he is politically more astute than he is credited for, He realized that millions of US voters has lost trust in the political parties - also the Republicans - and used the disillusion movement in the USA to be elected as President, He is hated by the media and all kind of stories are circulated which is not necessarily true.
You may think Trump is bad - but their are worst leaders coming through in other countries and taking over the Governments, There are also others who would rather feel more akin the Putin's Russia than Germany.
The main problem is the EU does not function as a democracy,. It is not controlled by the EU Parliament and that makes them increasingly unpopular amongst the middle and worker classes and the unemployed..
Although the situation is different from Germany in the 1930's - the political climate is the same. There are chances that some really nasty dictatorships can grow out of the present situation.
I said elsewhere I am worried about the present situation and the above is the main reason why I am worried. Putin is really enjoying the situation and is encouraging the people to turn against the present scenario.
. .