Australia a mirror of the U.S.?

I haven't seen much blogging about the Australian riots that took place over the weekend.

Near Sydney a bunch of young white toughs, both male and female, attacked anyone they could find who looked to be of Arabic descent. The riots were apparently triggered by a rumor that two Arabic looking people had attacked a white life-guard. Riots spread across the country last night, as racial attacks were reported in Perth as well. More rioting occurred near Sydney too.

Press reports indicate that heavy text messaging suggests a plan by the toughs to continue the riots next weekend.

Meanwhile, Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard says there is no racism in Australia.

Obviously, there is, and Howard's far-right policies have probably contributed to it. Howard has pursued a far-right agenda similar to that of George W. Bush, and has used many of the same demagogic tricks to push the country into a state of panic to enable him to increase his police powers. Just as has happened here in the US, the result is a rising hatred of Arabs and Muslims.

This is only one more example of what seems to be a trend for the far right gaining political power in the more developed countries around the world: Putin in Russia, Berlusconi in Italy, Merkel in Germany, Haider in Austria, Bush in the US, to name a few. I haven't quite figured out what is driving this trend to the right. Perhaps it has to do with the relocations of large populations from less developed to more developed countries, and the fear that generates among the longer-term residents of more developed countries.

Whatever the cause, it's a very troubling occurrence, and those politicians who capitalize upon it tend to play to the worst instincts of their constituencies. That only inflames the hatreds. It's a very discouraging trend. Our leaders should be trying to build understanding and cooperation among these groups, not pouring fuel on the fire.