Re: Clearly, the US is dealing with a much more diverse population than Europeans.
Again, that's inaccurate... Racially or ethnically speaking, the US is indeed much more diverse than Europe, yet, as far as culture and ideology are concerned, it's a cultural monolith. Europe is made up of a dozen different languages, religions (not just judeo-christian sects), mores, lifestyles, etc.
And you're right about Belgium: the four million Walloons don't watch the same TV networks as the six million Flemings... They don't read the same newspapers, they don't elect the same politicians, they just share a common interest for... soccer. Out of our 45 TV channels, there're 8 French-speaking channels, 4 German-speaking ones, a Turkish one, a Moroccan one, a Greek one, 3 Dutch ones --not to be mistaken for the Belgian Flemish ones, BBC1, BBC2, Eurosport (in Dutch), etc.
Politically speaking, Europe is also much more diverse than the US: up until May 2002, the French government was made up of Socialist and Communist ministers... while Austria's coalition included far-rightist ministers (FPO-Jorg Haider); Belgium had Green ministers in her previous federal gov. France still has one Minister of Algerian extraction (Mr Mekachera, war veterans secretary). Although, as far as race and ethnicity are concerned, Europe is a white monolith.
Gus |
