Strange Democracy

There were two news events this week that showed unusual angles on democracy.

The first was the rioting in France after the election of Sarkozy as president. There's no doubt that he is a right-wing tough guy, hated for his role in putting down last year's riots, but there was no question of electoral fraud. As for the result, it wasn't even close.


So were the rioters just protesting because they dislike him, or more justifiably, because they are unable to register to vote? I wouldn't put it past the Interior Ministry to exclude the disenchanted youth from the electoral roll. Who would benefit but the now president-elect.

But that couldn't possibly be the case. What am I thinking of?