A European Generation Takes to the Streets

Europe’s youth are showing new awareness of the implications of deficit spending, a lack of jobs, widening gaps in income and social protections, and other systemic problems. Governments in Europe, like those in Arab states, must contend with discontent as increasing numbers of educated, yet unemployed youth analyze their plight, organize protests and develop policy proposals via social media. More than 44 percent of Spaniards under the age of 25 have no work. Graduates compete for unpaid internships and live with their parents. Inspired by protests that overthrew governments in Tunisia and Egypt, young Europeans try democratic tools to get attention and pursue remedies. “There is a feeling that unites young people throughout Europe, namely the belief that they will not be able to attain the same level of prosperity as their parents did,” write Mathieu von Rohr and Helene Zuber for Spiegel Online. Plenty of older Europeans support the movement, and politicians have been put on notice. – YaleGlobal