Acte VII

Been gleaning some interesting insights today, as
different French media prepare for what might be
another day of Gilets Jaunes protests.

There was a Bonnets Rouges protest in 2013 - also against
an ecotax - which resulted in the government caving in and
removing the tax. This was a tax on heavy truck loads and people
in Brittany destroyed the gantries meant to identify them. Indeed,
the 'red caps' are a reference to an even earlier tax revolt under
Louis XIV, who wanted to tax formal sealed paper to help finance
a war... In short, tax revolts go back in French political culture.

This helps explain, to me at least, the great tolerance to street violence
expressed, as the population continues to sympathize with the
protestors.

Analysts report heightened conflictuality in the psychologie of the French
electorate, a desire for revenge to the 'symbolic violence of decision-makers'.

As well, many are surprised by the horizontal nature of the protests:
not a party because not organized, not a movement because without
a charismatic leader, just collective action in the entire country.

https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20181213.OBS7093/gilets-jaunes-la-violence-politique-devient-elle-une-strategie-payante.html

https://www.liberation.fr/debats/2018/12/22/la-lecon-des-gilets-jaunes-aux-gilets-rouges_1699024