Social systems are only as strong as their weakest link - & that will always be the human element. At a time when politics has invaded just about every area of our lives, we are reminded that we can't put too much faith in political institutions.

Mal Fletcher

For two weeks, starting in late October, riots rocked several major French cities, causing many people to question both their government's capacity to rule and the strength of their social system.

I was actually in Paris when the first riots were breaking out -- though not, thankfully, in the affected suburbs.

None of us should gloat over France's difficulties. France does have a unique culture, but it does not have a corner on the market for ethnic unrest.

In the multi-cultural nations of the West, we are all faced with similar issues regarding social inclusion and cohesion.

It isn't any innate French arrogance which has led to this situation. The French are no more arrogant than the rest of us.

In my experience, France's reputation - especially among the English - for producing people who are arrogant and self-opinionated is very undeserved. I can't claim to be an expert, as I've not lived in France, but my experience of French people has been that of warmth and friendliness.

The French appreciate not only their own culture but the idea of culture generally. And they are, generally speaking, blessed with a love of life.

So, why is France in this position - and what are the lessons for the rest of us?

One of the most startling aspects of the French riots has been the way they have been co-ordinated.

No formal organisation seems to be behind the unrest. Yet the riots in different cities are linked, often by a use of the internet to fire unrest among disaffected youth and gangs.

In an age where some politicians are inclined to blame every major sign of unrest on the work of stateless terror groups, we're reminded here that some social problems have causes much closer to home.

These riots sprang primarily out of an inequality within the French social system. The French are proud of their model for social integration, which claims to treat every French citizen, of whatever ethnic origin, as an equal.

In France there is none of the positive discrimination which is seen, for example, in the UK. In France, it is assumed that this will not be necessary; that the system can handle diversity without the need for special favours toward minorities.

For more than 30 years, though, children of immigrants - particularly from the former French colonies of northern Africa - have felt that the system is stacked against them. Now, a new generation has grown disenchanted with the ability of the government to solve its problems - or even to care about them.