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Contested Liberalization
Economic liberalization has been contested and defeated in France to an unparalleled extent in comparison to other leading political economies in Western Europe. Levy offers a historical explanation, centered on the legacies of France's postwar statist or dirigiste economic model. Although this model was dismantled decades ago, its policy, party-political, and institutional legacies continue to fuel the contestation of liberalizing reforms today. Contested Liberalization offers a comprehensive analysis of French economic and social policy since the 1980s, including the Macron administration. It also traces the implications of the French case for contestation in East Asia and Latin America. Levy concludes by identifying ways that French liberalizers could diminish contestation, notably by adopting a more inclusive process and more equitable allocation of the costs and benefits of liberalizing reform. This book will interest scholars and students of political economy and comparative politics, especially those working on economic liberalization, French politics, and the welfare state.
354 pages, Paperback
Published April 13, 2023
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December 4, 2024
A great and insightful book to comprehend the contemporary France
Notes:
1. From dirigiste state to anesthesia state, France stopped to steer the economy, and supported market-led, privately determined adjustment strategies. Social anesthesia policy made France able to abandoned the dysfunctional dirigiste model compared with Japan ( is this really a good comparison? Does Japan really need to abandon the dysfunctional’ model?) And, noticeably, the costs of industrial adjustment were socialized to the collectivity, rather than concentrated on ppl who lost the jobs. It is a humane and moderate way to do the reform.
2. Seeking to break with the inertia and weakness of the 4th republic, the framer of the 5th drafted a number of constitutional features to create a strong president. The French senate is elected indirectly, it does not have the same democratic legitimacy. In practice, the Senate has tended to operate as a source of expertise and criticism to enhance the quality of National Assembly bills. “Rationalized parliamentarism” allows the executive to govern even in the absence of a solid legislative majority. Rather than reaching out to opposition and build coalition, French government can adopt 49.3 to ram through controversial bills.
3. Failure to use social refoundation as a resource to enhance civil coalition.
4. Macron has never really resolved the central challenge posed by the gilets jaunes- that of defining a path of economic liberalization that the French population accepts as both necessary and fair.
5. Public opinion polls indicate Macron’s greatest electoral assets were his handling of COVID 19 health crisis and his ‘what-ever-it-cost’ policy. His tripolar structure can help him win the election, but will put his at a disadvantage position for legislative elections.
Discussions:
1. The first point I want to comment to this book is whether the overall narrative is a bit too deterministic, or too path-dependent. There is not doubt that gaullisme cast an undeniable influence on contemporary France, but let’s see the three pillars for this explanation ( policy, party, institution) all of which are directly related to De Gaulle himself. Can a founder of a republic have such a great power and influence?
2. The generalization part of discussion is very interesting for the last chapter, but it seems a bit too general, not all the findings for France can be generalized. But one point I do have concerns, is that if people are satisfied with the dirigiste model, how is that possible to make the changes? Is it true that France has yet find an answer?
Notes:
1. From dirigiste state to anesthesia state, France stopped to steer the economy, and supported market-led, privately determined adjustment strategies. Social anesthesia policy made France able to abandoned the dysfunctional dirigiste model compared with Japan ( is this really a good comparison? Does Japan really need to abandon the dysfunctional’ model?) And, noticeably, the costs of industrial adjustment were socialized to the collectivity, rather than concentrated on ppl who lost the jobs. It is a humane and moderate way to do the reform.
2. Seeking to break with the inertia and weakness of the 4th republic, the framer of the 5th drafted a number of constitutional features to create a strong president. The French senate is elected indirectly, it does not have the same democratic legitimacy. In practice, the Senate has tended to operate as a source of expertise and criticism to enhance the quality of National Assembly bills. “Rationalized parliamentarism” allows the executive to govern even in the absence of a solid legislative majority. Rather than reaching out to opposition and build coalition, French government can adopt 49.3 to ram through controversial bills.
3. Failure to use social refoundation as a resource to enhance civil coalition.
4. Macron has never really resolved the central challenge posed by the gilets jaunes- that of defining a path of economic liberalization that the French population accepts as both necessary and fair.
5. Public opinion polls indicate Macron’s greatest electoral assets were his handling of COVID 19 health crisis and his ‘what-ever-it-cost’ policy. His tripolar structure can help him win the election, but will put his at a disadvantage position for legislative elections.
Discussions:
1. The first point I want to comment to this book is whether the overall narrative is a bit too deterministic, or too path-dependent. There is not doubt that gaullisme cast an undeniable influence on contemporary France, but let’s see the three pillars for this explanation ( policy, party, institution) all of which are directly related to De Gaulle himself. Can a founder of a republic have such a great power and influence?
2. The generalization part of discussion is very interesting for the last chapter, but it seems a bit too general, not all the findings for France can be generalized. But one point I do have concerns, is that if people are satisfied with the dirigiste model, how is that possible to make the changes? Is it true that France has yet find an answer?
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review