It feels like a natural outcome of liberalism, social democratic band aids are kicking the can down the road before it explodes into the working class rioting on the streets. Can only do so much austerity and wealth redistribution to the wealthy, i.e. "IMF-approved, sound economic policies without alternative" before that happens.

The real problems are the unfortunate contradictions in end of politics style liberalism: growing wealth inequality, wage stagnation, increased worker efficiency and record profits, the media can only do so much to hide it. So protesters are under the impression that their demands are realistic, of course thats at the root of the argument and your outlook on it depends on your degree of faith in liberalism.