Job Redistribution à la Française

Everybody who matters—business federations, the business press, economists, conservative governments, Tony Blair, the New York Times—says that Europe (and especially France) has to "reform." "Reform" is a polite way of saying that somebody who isn't "everybody" ought to (has to) get less of something. Last year, unemployment insurance was that "something" in Germany. French "reformers" have gone after every social benefit, including basic social security pensions and health insurance. Two particular targets have been early retirement and the thirty-five-hour work week, which are pillars of the French practice of job redistribution.