Europe's Protests and the Welfare State Illusion

Protests are spreading across Europe, reaching Italy after France and Spain, though the causes vary by country, from housing in Spain to fuel costs and inflation in Italy. The unrest follows similar demonstrations in the US, India, and Japan. The protests lack a common denominator, with issues ranging from education and immigration to medical exam irregularities and inflation. Analysts attribute the synchronization to the internationalization of public opinion via internet and TV, alongside a widespread perception that crises like war and climate change are worsening, not improving. A key driver is the expectation that politics alone should solve problems, a shift from past attitudes where citizens collaborated with government efforts. However, the gap between public demands and state capacity stems from past choices, including excessive debt and high pension spending, leaving fewer resources for other welfare needs.