English: Working Class Housing – Avenham Road (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This excellent article is by the FT is close to the top of its most read list. It’s a highly recommended read. Check it out!
via A portrait of Europe’s white working class – FT.com.
Whilst the title promises to be European in scope, the article is a subjective viewpoint of a working class area outside Manchester. The research is valuable in that it takes a hard look at working class challenges, avoiding the familiar stereotypes.
I fear that in countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Cyprus that the story is much worse than portrayed in this article.
The working and middle classes in many parts of Europe have suffered enormously under excessive austerity.
Let me turn this to an open question:
What should policy-makers do about the working classes, who frequently do not have the skills, education and possibly motivation to compete effectively?
Any thoughts?
Dr Alf's Blog 