The global spread of youth anger

The latest riots in Britain have turned into looting. Britons from various classes, ethnicities and age groups have joined the plunder. British Prime Minister David Cameron blasted the rioters, saying, “This is criminality pure and simple.” Ed Miliband, leader of the opposition Labor Party, also made a similar comment. Some say British society needs an injection of a strong sense of morality. Despite this, individual criminality is not the sole cause of the U.K.`s latest turmoil.

Along with riots in France in 2005, Britain`s unrest exposes a crisis in Europe. Like any other European country, Britain and France have high youth unemployment, with youth joblessness among ethnic minorities particularly high. Ethnic minorities are living in slums and feel alienated from society. Though riots in France and Britain happened six years apart, poverty and race problems lie at the center of the unrest combined with the anger of youths who failed to join mainstream society.

Europe established a welfare society thanks to economic wealth accumulated over three decades after World War II. The wealth evaporated long ago, however. The 2008 U.S.-led financial crisis has led to a European crisis due to fiscal instability on the continent. Slowing economies and cuts in welfare services have hit the poor and youths hardest. Violent anti-austerity protests are being waged by youths in Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy, which are reeling from lack of finances.

Jobs are important for youths. What triggered the Jasmine Revolution in the Middle East that began in Tunisia was a young person burning himself in protest against police who deprived him of a livelihood, leading to ensuing civil uprisings elsewhere. The revolution in Egypt was also triggered by a large number of unemployed youths.

Like Korea, Chile has achieved economic development by resorting to neoliberalism after having suffered under authoritarian governments. When the Chilean economy slowed down, college students beset by high tuition began urging their government to support their universities. Unlike in the past, economic growth cannot guarantees jobs for youths. In this sense, Korea and Chile have something in common.

Though the situation each country faces is different, they are all suffering from frustrated youths due to the economic slump. In this kind of situation, governments should do all they can to create jobs for youths by joining hands with businesses and devising policies that can resolve youth unemployment.