Explained: Why are people in rich cities across the world protesting?

Paris, Hong Kong, Santiago — Growing inequalities and a deepening lack of trust in the fairness of their governments could be culprits, believes noted economist Jeffrey Sachs.

Explained: What is causing people in rich cities across the world to rebel?

Chile protests: Demonstrators take part in a protest against the increase in the subway ticket prices in Santiago on October 18, 2019 (Reuters Photo: Carlos Vera)

On the face of it, the widespread and intense protests taking place in Chile’s capital, Santiago, do not make sense. Why would citizens of one of the most the wealthiest cities (per capita GDP is over $15,000; India’s per capita GDP is just over $2,100) in Latin America drop everything in their normal life and start rioting in the streets for days on end to remonstrate a marginal hike of just 4% in the public transport fares?