"I view this as more of an underclass riot, just like the old USA used to have. France has a rather sclerotic and impermeable social and economic structure. The rest is somewhat overladen with tendentious theorizing IMO."
You miss a salient point. The riots (whichever ones you refer to in the "Old USA") were perpetrated by American citizens who wanted nothing more than an equal chance to be members of society. (There were, always have been, and always will be thugs who just want mayhem, but I am making a point)
These rioters in France do not want to be "French". They don't want to be citizens of France. They want to live their muslim lives under muslim law on French soil. They reject everything France stands for. They do not WISH to be assimilated into and become part of French society. They want all the perks of being French without having to compromise to do it.
You are absolutely correct in pointing out the stagnant nature of French culture, government and economy. Such is the hazard of the "Nanny State", 30 hour work weeks and 60 days of vacation each year (or whatever it is)
You get what you pay for.