The Union Trap: France's Unreformable Economic Paradox скачать в хорошем качестве

The Union Trap: France's Unreformable Economic Paradox

The provided source examines the structural and cultural factors that render the French economy resistant to modernization, framing the situation as an inescapable "union trap." Rooted in the post-World War II social contract, the French model prioritizes extensive worker protections, early retirement, and a massive welfare state managed directly by powerful labor unions like the CGT. This system creates a rigid labor market where permanent contracts (CDI) make hiring a risk and firing nearly impossible, leading to high youth unemployment and a "glass ceiling" that discourages small businesses from growing. The text highlights how militant unions use asymmetric warfare, such as blockading energy refineries and trash incineration plants, to hold the nation's infrastructure hostage whenever reforms are proposed. Furthermore, a technocratic ruling class and a crushing tax burden further paralyze the nation, leaving it caught between a bankrupt financial reality and a population that views any economic change as a betrayal of their national identity. Ultimately, the source argues that France is trapped in a cycle of stagnation because the political and social costs of reform consistently outweigh the costs of decline. source:    • Why The French Economy Is UNREFORMABLE (Th...