BruceVC

I didn't know historically what a Penny Dreadful was until you mentioned it and I checked. Now it makes sense

Well, that's unsurprising. Unless they actually start suggesting collectivization of agriculture, nationalization of means of production and the works, which sounds a bit leninist for most voters' sensibilities, the economic policies of most parties with a strong populist-statist streak (read: authoritarian wannabes) are difficult to tell from one another, regardless of whether they market themselves as right- or left-wing. It doesn't get much more right-wing than ol' NSDAP, and by the standards of any liberal democracy, their economic policy was seriously left-wing: Huge public works to bandage the rampant unemployment, direct state control over strategic economic sectors, price controls, reining in small businesses, etc. It's all about the degree of control, and the window dressing is tailored around the voter target they intend to make suckers out of, really. What's your view on the future of the EU 2133?

Guys I have just started watching 2 series that some of you may have seen already but if not and you like your horror\supernatural you MUST watch SalemSet in the town during where the infamous witch trials were held. Its a combination of supernatural, as there are real witches, and historical account of what it was like in those days Penny DreadfulSet in England in the 1890's it has vampires and other beasts from Victorian mythology. I won't say more or I may ruin the excitement

You mean young people in Finland are taught how elections really work in school? I'm genuinely impressed. Do you also get basic legal and fiscal education? And, by the way, there is no popular legislative initiative at the EU level, or EU-wide referenda. So no participating, at all. Yes we have nationwide curriculum that includes civics (In Finnish Yhteiskuntaoppi) classes that needs to give information how our elections work, what every governmental institutions do and how they work with each other, these same classes also include basics legal and fiscal education. That makes loads of sense, very prudent I wish our schools taught those types of soft skills

You right they omitted the DPP for some reason but what does the DPP stand for politically ? I can google it but I prefer to get the view of people who live in Denmark

Gorgon do you feel guilty that most of the international news channels are positioning Denmark as being one of the EU countries where the far right has gained immense popularity? Do you think you personally could have done more to counter this rise of the right in your country? The international News don't know what they are talking about, but it's hard to blame them when one of the front runners is called Morten Messerschmidt. He once got really drunk in Tivoli gardens and started 'heiling', true story. It was entirely a joke, but all the associations are there. In summary what in your opinion does this DPP stand for from an ideological and political perspective Here is a link that discusses other " far right " parties that have won seats in the EU parliament, do you guys think the definition of these parties is accurate? http://www.itv.com/news/2014-05-27/seven-far-right-parties-that-made-gains-at-european-elections/

I do realize I am generalizing and some of the "far right " parties are more anti-establishment than right wing but its easier just to say "right" parties who gained popularity than to have to go into a more accurate definition for each country. Those who follow EU politics know these is a difference between the UKIP and Golden Dawn for example so I feel I don't need to go into specifics And yes my definition of far right is more Golden Dawn but the definition is complicated and becomes subjective

Gorgon do you feel guilty that most of the international news channels are positioning Denmark as being one of the EU countries where the far right has gained immense popularity? Do you think you personally could have done more to counter this rise of the right in your country?

That's very true, I live in a country where the vast majority of rural people still go to a witchdoctor for medical remedies In Africa there are many examples of people who believe in shamans and other types of mysticism. For example in Nigeria the police arrested a goat as they were told that the goat was a person who used black magic to change shape to avoid capture http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1127012/Police-arrest-goat-accused-armed-robbery.html

What makes you think we will only have three or four companions at any given time? ... not know what you will do, but Gromnir will only have three or four. HA! Good Fun! Gromnir I wouldn't advise that, I know the game won't have Romance but don't let that disappoint you or make rash discussions around the number of companions you choose. Remember multiple companions means more party interaction and spending time on companion side quests which enhances the overall game

Spoken like a true veteran of the interminable " console to pc port wars"

I call your stomach bug and raise with my 2 week holiday (all i got this year) and sinusitis. When I had sinusitis it was just after a filling which became infected leading to a root canal, but not before the weekend when the dental surgery isn't open, all while I was on my first playthrough of Dragon Age 2. Bioware should take some responsibility for some of the ills of the world but blaming them for your dental problems may be a bit unreasonable

How are you finding the derogatory references to women? And yes I haven't played this game but its not just the Eurogamer review that made a point of pointing this out. Other gaming websites had the exact same criticism so there must be some truth to it How am I finding them? Mostly by going through the game. *ba-dum-dum-tsch!* Thank you, thank you...I'll be here all week. Be sure to try the veal. Seriously, I'm not sure I'm far enough into it to see anything that's terribly bad (if it exists). There is a scantily clad character who is both commented on (and disliked both for appearance and for "being a witch") and gives back what she gets. There are some unsavory comments regarding women - but this to me seems specific to characters (the biggest amount of "whore" calling, for example, is a drunk) or to the society that has yet to crumble more than some kind of commentary on the real world (certainly exceptional women exist in the world, and aren't all scantily clad sex workers). I wanted to revisit this since I've finished the game. I don't understand the complain. I went and re-read the Eurogamer review you reference, and I still don't get their complaint. The script - and its a short game - is not littered with prejoratives about women (and when they're used they make sense in the context of the game; I mean the reviewer complains that the word "concubine" is used and that the concubines wear revealing tops disregarding that the concubines were created out of people by an evil ice lord who, essentially, created supernatural sex slaves. I dunno, the complaints are ludicrous and it'd be a shame if people skipped the game because (IMO at least) its been misrepresented in the media. Thanks for the feedback, I have decided to purchase the game myself and your positive perspective played a part in that decision

You make some compelling and interesting points Monte, I am interested in someone on these forums posting what they like about the EU at the moment. Not what they want changed or is flawed but just what is great about being in the EU

We could start by abolishing it. Really Monte? Maybe you could give some more details around why you feel like that . That statement is a serious one. Would you prefer Europe went back to days where all countries were independent?

Seeing that you're supporting India (a country with one of the greatest gaps between rich and poor) shifting even further to the right-wing, I find that hard to believe. Oh no believe it, trust me. I do take issues of social justice very seriously. But just explain to me why if I think that India is a relevant global economy that means I don't care about social justice issues or the inequality gap that is prevalent in most countries? I'm missing the connection

I love tea, I was raised on tea and only drink coffee if I want a break. I need a cup of tea everyday to get me up in the morning I generally drink local brands and Rooibos

I don't think there is such a thing as an inexpensive lobster bisque but that meal does sound delicious

Meh, not playing white saviour to all those poor oppressed women in third world countries while the first world is also far from being problem-free is pretty much the best thing one can do in his situation, methinks. we think white savior is kinda amusing, but bruce has championed as white knight for women on message boards and seems very concerned with race issues in parts of world other than south africa. bjp taking over in india is gonna affect far more lives than possible eu changes. given bruce's other posts he obviously can't deride the white savior with any genuine vigor. so, as bruce aint eu himself, why the concern for eu when india changes is potential more significant? am also gonna suggest that the first/second/third world distinctions is inherent flawed. is a cold war holdover that has increasingly suspect value, particular as we move towards increasing globalization. heck, utilizing some o' the bizarre new methodologies for dividing nations into 1st, second and third world, we has seen south africa gets 3rd world label more than once. HA! Good Fun! Gromnir whatever you have been smoking I want some Your assessment of me and the why I support issues of social justice seems so horribly flawed I would normally assume that this can't be you posting, you are normally so astute I care about all social justice issues throughout the world but I can't discuss everything all the time, sorry about that Gromnir. Also since when did I say I don't care about racism in South Africa? When did I even suggest anything remotely like that? Also from an economic global perspective the EU is more important than India, a collapse of the EU would have much greater ramifications for the world than a collapse of India, sorry I keep suggesting that Gromnir but this is just the reality of the global economy.

The economy and most likely not (at least in regards to the continuation of the union). I do worry a little about the rise of nationalistic socialistic and Lib/Soc parties (not to be confused with 1930 style nationalsozialismus .. just yet) - Extremism is almost always a direct consequences of a perceived lack of resources... but this political movement under way, is so populist that it's not entirely healthy. These parties try to compass extreme conservative notions like nationalism, immigrations issues. Liberal notions like tax cuts for the rich and "transperancy" while being unequivocally Top-Down in their own management.. and left wing politics in the style of elder care, welfare issues and healthcare. The problem is their policies become completely polluted with "here and now" issues - meaning a lot of the actual needed political management, that needs to be a lot more farsighted, is completely overlooked - which is basically paving the way for the next huge crisis down the road. This mirrors the political development of Europe in the 1930s, except the union and the peaceful atmosphere towards fellow member states fuels the anger outwards. Europe won't go to war again, but it might shut itself in and look inwards. Which is also bad for the development of Europe. Wow another interesting perspective, nice one But tell me something. Denmark, if I'm not mistaken, was one of the current EU countries where a far right party gained major support. So I have to ask why, why in such a prosperous and socially stable country could far right ideals be so popular? For example are Danish people really that worried about immigration?

So Nonek would you advocate a complete breakup of the EU, with a view it was always doomed to fail, or rather structural changes and if you believe the latter what changes would you suggest in the EU? The economic and political structures in the EU is not my strong point so I am interested in what people think would improve the EU as a whole

I'm not sure I follow, are you saying the far right in Finland gained support because the current Finnish government bailed out foreign banks ?

That is a very good post and insightful. IMO it accurately raises how in the UK the UKIP has gained such support. I wonder if stories are the same in other European countries, like France and Denmark, where similar far right parties have gained in popularity?

No Gromnir, there is nothing odd or inconsistent in my comments. Of course the treatment of women and minority groups throughout the globe is very relevant. But this thread is about the rise of anti-European parliamentary representation in the EU parliament. What does this mean for the future of the EU and what does this tell us about the current structures and success of the EU I'll happily participate in a thread that you may want to start about the treatment of minority groups in India. But lets try to stay on topic around the European parliamentary elections

The Indian election is relevant but I am not that concerned about the future of India as Modi is pro business and wants to fix the systemic problems that have been slowing down the growth of the Indian economy. He wants to encourage foreign investment, improve infrastructure and innovate Indian businesses. These are all good things for the future of India I am much more worried about a growing number of anti-EU parliamentarians who will now sit and make decisions in the EU parliament. A failure of the EU I think will be very detrimental to the global economy.