A French civil war looks unlikely in this assessment, although that prediction could be wrong. Large, organized protests are a familiar part of French political life and a means of keeping governments under pressure. Observers from other countries can misread that level of unrest because it exceeds their own expectations of normal protest. Comparisons with Northern Ireland and British riots illustrate those different frames of reference. A British example recalls the purchase of water-cannon vehicles, tentatively associated with Boris Johnson, and their resale after failing the necessary tests. Claims about civil war need to account for France's established patterns of protest.
Notable Point · 37:43-42:24
French riots and claims of impending civil war
France's recurring protest culture provides grounds for skepticism toward claims that riots signal an approaching civil war.