FROM LONDON TO THE REST OF THE WORLD: VIOLENT UNREST

Jonathon M. Seidl

The U.K. is experiencing its latest round of unrest, which seems to be an almost monthly occurrence. But as Glenn has predicted many times before, the violence is not staying contained. Now, others are starting to connect the dots.

CNBC published an article yesterday showing where the unrest is spreading. So where is that, exactly? How about Israel, Spain, Greece, Portugal, the Philippines, China, and Syria.

“Great Britain and other parts of the world are experiencing unrest at a time of global economic uncertainty and stock market volatility,” the article notes. “Here‘s a look at what’s happening around the world and how economic downturns are bringing protestors into the streets.”

We’ve well documented what’s going on in Great Britain, so here are some excerpts from CNBC’s analysis of the rest of the world:

Israel:

Some 250,000 people took to the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday over the rising cost of living. Demonstrations actually began last month when a few people set up tents in an expensive part of Tel Aviv to protest rising property prices.

[...]

Here are some of the demands from protestors, according to Reuters:

Increase personal tax brackets for top earners

Enshrine the right to housing in the law; introduce rent controls; boost mortgage relief

Stop further privatization of things such as health facilities

Provide free education for all from the age of three months

Raise the minimum wage to 50 percent of the average wage

Greece, Spain, Portugal:

In late June, riots broke out in Athens and other parts of Greece as the country’s parliament voted to approve severe cutbacks in government spending.

Dozens were hurt and businesses destroyed as police battled rioters with tear gas and night sticks.

[...]

In Spain, thousands of people turned out in late May to protest the country’s 21 percent unemployment rate.

[...]

Portugal saw massive strikes and protests last March in response to government spending cuts. At least 200,000 people gathered in Lisbon.

The Philippines:

Thousand of workers took to the streets throughout the country in May of this year to march for higher pay. They demanded better wages in light of rising inflation, including higher oil prices.

They called on the government of President Benigno Aquino III to do more to help protect jobs.

[...]

China

Nearly 1,000 cab drivers in eastern China blocked traffic and protested on Aug. 1 over rising fuel costs. It was the latest sign of discontent about the country’s surging inflation.

Inflation is hitting China hard, with food prices recently increasing 12 percent. Many Chinese officials are reported concerned that inflation, along with rising property prices, could lead to even more unrest.

This past June, thousands of workers battled for three days with police in the capital city of the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. They were protesting declining living standards.

[...]

Syria

In another legacy from the Arab Spring, protests and riots in Syria against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad have been going on for five months.

Reports say at least 1,600 people have been killed by government forces.

The demonstrations are a combination of calls for economic as well as political changes. [...]

You can read the entire article from CNBC for more information.