When I heard about France’s proposed band on the burqa, and especially when I heard about how few people it would affect, I immediately suspected French politicians of xenophobia. This Economist article casts the French objection to the burqa in an interesting light.
The thesis of the article is that, as a people who suffered under the authoritarian clericalism of the Catholic church and struggled against it, they object to authoritarian clericalism of all sorts. In their view it’s not so much a ban as it is a liberation.
I still suspect that xenophobia is still driving this legislation to some extent, but after reading the piece I’ve noticed more and more comments that dwell on liberating people.
Comments
Posted by: garmr | January 26, 2010 11:27 AM
I was gonna be all impressed with Garmr's knowledge of the classics and wonder where my education went wrong. Then I click on the Wikipedia link and see Vercingetorix is someone you can play on "Civilization." I know your secrets, Garmr!
Posted by: Mr. Guapo | January 30, 2010 10:03 PM
I saw Civ III once, and didn't know there was a Civ IV; I don't own a computer game newer than Dungeon Siege.
I first encountered Vercingétorix in my study of the seeds of 19th century nationalism.
Posted by: garmr | January 31, 2010 4:44 AM
So you're telling me you know what you know from... learning?
Ain't buying it.
Posted by: Mr. Guapo | January 31, 2010 5:30 AM
One of the advantages of intellectual isolation is that you spend less time with peers discussing how little you know and more time remedying it.
Posted by: garmr | January 31, 2010 11:06 AM
It could be a more classic gaming knowledge - Avalon Hill had a board game called Caesar covering the Battle of Alesia.
I'll freely admit that my brother and I played it once. And I think only once.
Posted by: slug | February 1, 2010 5:38 PM
i didn't even get the civilization connection. i thought garmr was referring to this...
Posted by: hellx | February 3, 2010 12:46 AM
hellx FTW.
Posted by: garmr | February 4, 2010 9:55 PM