Social unrest in Greece, other countries, in 2014?

This video from Finland says about itself:

Solidarity with the anti-fascists in Greece – demonstration in Tampere – English subtitles

23 Jan 2013

January 19th was a global day of action in solidarity with the anti-fascists in Greece. This footage is from Tampere, Finland, where one solidarity demonstration was held.

By Ioanna Zikakou in Greece:

Economist: High Risk of Social Unrest in Greece

December 26, 2013

The Economist included Greece in its list of countries with high risk of social unrest during the year 2014. Other countries included were Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Syria and Nigeria. Greece was the only European Union country among the nineteen others that are part of the list of countries with high risk of demonstrations and social unrest during the year 2014.

That does not fit with the Economist‘s graph here. In that graph, Greece is the only European Union country with a “Very [emphasis mine] high risk of demonstrations and social unrest”. However, other European Union countries (Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Spain, Croatia) are on the list of countries with “High risk of demonstrations and social unrest”.

Overall, 65 countries (45%) out of a total of 150 appear to be under high risk or extremely high risk status.

According to the Economist, even though the economic downturn is usually the main reason for the eruption of demonstrations, this time it is not the only one.

“Declines in income and high unemployment are not always followed by unrest. Only when economic trouble is accompanied by other elements of vulnerability is there a high risk of instability. Such factors include wide income-inequality, poor government, low levels of social provision, ethnic tensions and a history of unrest”, the Economist article said.

It continues: “Of particular importance in sparking unrest in recent times, appears to have been an erosion of trust in governments and institutions: a crisis of democracy.”

Other “high risk” countries include Iraq, Swaziland and Uzbekistan.

The Economist list is not complete, as it, eg, does not even mention Afghanistan or South Sudan.

Related articles

• The Risk of Social Unrest and the “D” Word (wasseemmina.wordpress.com)
• 7. Italy could be racked by violent unrest, president warns (12160.info)