Matthew Feeney on Europe's Selective Liberalism
(NASA)
Earlier this month, the French General Assembly voted to make France the ninth European nation to recognize same-sex marriages. Many Americans will take this, along with the more tolerant treatment of drugs and prostitution, as further evidence of Europe's social liberalism. However, Matthew Feeney argues that Europe's tolerance is highly selective, and that it often excludes particular demographics, unpopular or distasteful opinions, and certain preferences in education, making it not the socially tolerant place many in both the U.S. and Europe seem to think it is.