[mgbmtl]

In normal democracies, parties usually reach a balance that protects regional interests, and the interests of minorities in those regions. It's not easy, but when done in good faith, can be very effective at lowering support for violent rebellion.

(greetings from Quebec, which rebelled a few times, and isn't immune to populist politicians, but nonetheless somewhat stable. I think investing into education also helps a lot, which is the opposite of what Texas is doing)

[mardifoufs]

Quebec is investing in education? Hahaha I'm not sure if that was a joke...

>In Quebec, 25.5% of people aged 25 to 64 had a bachelor's degree or higher in 2016

> In 2012, 26% (4.1M out of 15.8M) of adult Texans had a bachelor's degree or higher; in 2021, that percentage increased to 32% (5.9M out of 18.6M)

(As an aside, even a Texas Governor would probably not have said something close to the famous statement Parizeau made regarding "le vote ethnique" after the 1995 referendum ;). But as long as you are Quebecois, I guess the government is doing fine here I agree )

[mgbmtl]

Probably an accurate stat of today, but misses the point and context. I said "I think" that education helped people from Quebec to negotiate a better situation, rather than doing so by arms (up to the 1970s with the FLQ). I do think that squashing rebellions is a counter-productive way of solving conflicts, as Yugoslavia did (I also lived a few years in the Balkans, in a neighbouring country, and had a few good friends from ex-Yu with identity issues in the early 2000s).

I also think education can help people understand topics such as majority/minority rights, rights/history of first nations, systemic racism, etc. many of which the current provincial government still denies (not immune to populist). Despite all that, and despite this province's completely train-wreck succession of governments since the 80s, what is taught now in schools is still better than in the 80s. That might be of an empirical feeling. My high school still had priests raping kids until the mid-90s and racism was rampant. I have a teen in a public high school, what they learn now is pretty neat. All thanks to teachers, of course, and not to governments.

Texas and other states are now burning books (and I hope we don't get to that point). One could have a PhD in CS, but be a tech-bro ignorantly erring towards fascism. I don't call that education. I think how a society treats its minorities (whether cultural or things like accessibility) is the best measure of advancement. Quebec is no model on that either, but it's probably better than Texas. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/14/texas-most-b...

[medo-bear]

From kindergarten through to university, education in Yugoslavia was at a very high standard, accross all ethnic groups and sexes. Much higher than public education in the West. This is because the socialist government put very high investments into education. Moreover, there were always constant social campaigns promoting tolerance, brotherhood, and unity. Most of the nationalist groups (many of which were ex nazis) were actually funded from Western sources. Yugoslavia is actually a good case study of how a well educated society goes completely bannanas

> rights/history of first nations, systemic racism

Not everyone is guilty of robbing aboriginals of their land, raping them, enslaving them and trading them as though they are commodities. This is mainly an Anglo Saxon thing.

[wheelerof4te]

"Most of the nationalist groups (many of which were ex nazis) were actually funded from Western sources. Yugoslavia is actually a good case study of how a well educated society goes completely bannanas"

Right on, brother.

But, don't expect these Anglo-Saxons to understand, they are mostly good only at pillaging other, more peaceful nations. After they destroy your country and rob it blind for -insert reason-, they start telling you how good their democracy is.

These people don't realize that, if not for military might of NATO, people would eat them alive at every corner of the globe.