The Economist's stupid assertion

'The final crime, the Treaty of Versailles, whose harsh terms would ensure a second war'

As Margaret MacMillan said, if it was harsh Germany couldn't have started that war in the first place lol. They had no intention of following it in the first place, especially on military matters, and the term was actually too lenient compared to what they imposed on France in 1871.

Nietzsche on Paris and France

'As an artist, a man has no home in Europe save in Paris..
I believe only in French culture, and regard everything else in Europe which calls 'culture' as a misunderstanding'

from Ecce Homo

3rd Republic and Labor

Rereading Shirer's 'The Collapse of the 3rd Republic'

Bourgeois of the 3rd Republic was no different than the ancien regime in escaping taxation. Plus, the regime was deeply anti Labor, in fact one of the most reactionary among developed nations. Naturally no attempt on social security legislation implemented by the likes of..Bismarck!

Hence the appeal of Sorel and the General Strike by the working class, and their lack of incentive to fight for the country; which ultimately led to 1940.

P.S. Aristide Briand put down a general strike in 1910 by arresting union leaders and calling the strikers to army reserves. He has begun his career as a labor lawyer, claiming the necessity of the gneral strike!

Immanuel Kant on the public & enlightenment

'..the public can only slowly attain enlightenment. Perhaps a fall of personal despotism or of avaricious or tyrannical oppression may be accomplished by revolution, but never a true reform in ways of thinking.'

- Immanuel Kant, 'What is Enlightenment(1784)?'