France in Crisis: Welfare, Inequality, and Globalization since 1980

By Timothy B. Smith

Book Overview

Timothy Smith argues that the French economic and social model is imploding on itself despite good intentions. Bad policies and vested interests that exploit the rhetoric of solidarity and the specter of globalization have prevented necessary changes from being effected. Making frequent comparisons with the U.S., U.K., Canada, Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands, Smith argues that change need not follow the inegalitarian U.S. or British paths in order to lead to a more balanced French society.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521605202
• ISBN13: 9780521605205
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 310 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A thoughtful and stimulating read

This is a very enlightening cross-disciplinary look at where the French welfare state finds itself today. The author does a wonderful job of harpooning the self-delusional assumptions the French make about their government's social programs. Likely, this won't be warmly received in France, but challenging the status quo is no way to win popularity contests. The United States and Canada could do with a similar treatment from this author. From a stylistic standpoint, I think it is important to note that this is not just another dry academic tome. The text is quite lively and there are more than a few colourful turns of phrase thrown in for good measure.