How To reform France ?

The European countries that recently engaged in major economic reforms are now seeing their economies go into recovery, for instance Spain (labour market reform), or Italy (labour market, banks, tax system). In France and in Japan, to name only two, the lack or limited extent of reform has, to the contrary, proved detrimental.

It is not enough to assert the need for reform, however. How should reforms be developed and how important should social dialogue be within that process? What part should intermediary bodies (Parliament, unions) and citizens or employees (referendum) play, respectively? How should the effectiveness of specific measures be assessed?

Lastly, attention should be paid to the imbalances caused. How should those who lose out as a result of certain reforms (less job protection, previously-protected professions open to competition, tax systems) be compensated and do there exist “win-win” reforms? How can the risks resulting from the labour market’s greater flexibility (deflation, increasing bi-polarisation, inequalities) be best addressed?