FRENCH REVOLUTION? (Copy)
The Faces of Reality
As I observe the beautiful streets of Paris, and talk to the residents, I can see that out of every 10 people walking, 6 are likely to either be unhappy or worried about their life situation.
Paris, historically a cosmopolitan destination where dreams come true, has now turned into the capital of a struggling European state where, I was also able to observe that out of 10 happy people walking the streets, 8 are likely to be tourists. This showcases a system that has mismanaged its priorities, and eventually alienated its residents.
Out of 10 happy people walking the streets, 8 are likely to be tourists.
Paris, historically a cosmopolitan destination where dreams come true, has now turned into the capital of a struggling European state where, I was also able to observe that out of 10 happy people walking the streets, 8 are likely to be tourists. This showcases a system that has mismanaged its priorities, and eventually alienated its residents.
Half of France's GDP comes from taxes, and social security contributions, while it spends 60%, ending up with a recurrent deficit. Recurrent debt. An endless vicious cycle.
The curse of social democracy, are social benefits. Which take up to 30% of the public spending. Then pensions take 14%, healthcare 15%, education 10%. Public spending in France is at 60% of GDP. One of the highest in the world.
France has an aging population that's absorbing an increasingly large share of the country's resources, to the detriment of investments in the young generations. The median age is 42.2 years old.
The fertility rate stands at 1.62 children per woman, while the minimum requirement is 2.1.
The recurrent solution: Immigration. Even though it proved to create tensions within the social fabric, without contributing enough to the workforce.
France is in a government deadlock where Macron is not able to pass enough laws.
Even if he or his successor could. Is France able to find fixes for its deficient system?
Or should the French realize that they need to remain a solid EU state that would never need bailing out. They need to control their spending. Which might only happen if they rethink their core system, and the politics that come with it.
Otherwise we might witness another French Revolution?