The Wave of Generation Z Protests

 

The world is witnessing protests across continents by Gen-Z. Kenya, Morocco, Madagascar, Serbia, Italy, Nepal, Peru, and Bangladesh are just a few countries confronting demonstrations. The biggest concentration of the demonstrations are focused Southeast Asia. While each of these protests happen under different circumstances a common theme appears. Economic inequality is the central focus. Frustrations only mount under conditions of censorship and autocratic governance. Generation Z is not getting the benefits it was promised by these governments. Vexed at the use of police violence, this has caused many to lose faith in the political system. This seems to be the case with the Philippines and Indonesia. The concentration of protests in one region almost seems similar to the Arab Spring. A series of regime changes are not revolutions. The color revolutions in the 2000s were more or less foreign interference in parts of Europe and Asia. It would be erroneous to call this a beginning of a world revolution. The Gen-Z protests across continents are not connected to one another. The movements lack centralization and do not have major leaders. The amorphous model is useful in particular circumstances. The limitation is that changing conditions in a country requires more organization. Another obstacle is that most do not attain political consciousness. Older generations are not concerned about the youth or what happens in the future. They are not going to change their positions, because they were raised in the current system. Others refuse to acknowledge flaws in government or economic policy and direct their ire at activists. If the world economy declines further and governments become more corrupt protests will spread. Discord and struggles of the youth must be taken seriously if there is to be functioning nation-states.      

The Resignation of Silvio Berlusconi (2011)

 

Silvio Berlusconi's leadership will be remembered for scandals and the criminal intrigues that surrounded the Italian government. His influence was vast due to his immense wealth and ownership of Italian media outlets. Berlusconi was one of the longest serving Italian prime ministers, but with the global financial crisis public opinion turned against him. The fiscal austerity measures imposed on the Italian public represented the injustice of the neoliberal economic system. Scandals involving fraud, sex crimes, and government corruption could no longer be ignored. What was apparent was that Silvio Berlusconi was using government to protect his businesses and enrich himself further. His net worth was estimated to be $6.8 billion. Some sources claim it was closer to $7 billion at the time of his death. Berlusconi amassed wealth as a property developer and media company founder. The establishment of Fininvest and Telemilano gave him more power over the media by buying up other TV cable companies. By 2012, Silvo Berlusconi was charged with tax evasion by a Milan court. Accusations of sex crimes  also were made public, but the charges were dropped. Silvio Berlusconi was never incarcerated for his crimes. It was a reminder that the upper class elite are protected by a corrupted criminal justice system. With all the offenses made public Berlusconi was forced to resign. 

Giorgia Meloni Elected Prime Minister of Italy

 

The failure of political centrism and neoliberal economic policy has pushed populations to the right. The election of Giorgia Meloni demonstrates this political trend. Her election also contradicts a narrative that women being elected to office is an indication of progressive political triumph. Female leaders have the potential to be just a harmful to society and citizens as their male counterparts. While the right has never been an advocate for women's rights, they claim sexism when  opponents criticize her political positions. The Italian voter has become so desperate and vexed that they are willing to select leaders with questionable ideology. Giorgia Meloni has expressed an authoritarian right sentiment mixed with xenophobic nativist nationalism. Her claim is that Italy's identity and family values are under attack. Giorgia Meloni also claims that the economic system has put the average person at a disadvantage. Yet, she has no intention of fighting the neoliberal capitalist system. The liberal critics state that Italy has fallen into fascism. A serious economic and constitutional crisis would have to occur to make that possible. As long as inflation and  the energy crisis continues in Europe there could be major disturbances. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia -Ukraine War has resulted in this shift to populist right-wing authoritarianism. The lack of a genuine leftist political block  only empowers this growing phenomenon. The Brothers of Italy claims to be anti-establishment, but Giorgia Meloni has been active in various offices and political parties. The worse the economy becomes, the greater political power the authoritarian-right gains. These  events explain Giorgia Meloni's election as prime minister.