Tag Archives: François Fillon

Drivers of Declining Labor Share of Income – IMF Blog

April 29, 2017 By in Austerity, Brexit, Defense Policy, Economics, Euro Crisis, Far Left, Far Right, Fiscal Policy, Foreign Policy, French election, Growth, Immigration, People, Politics, Public Services Reform Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
IMF Headquarters, Washington, DC.

IMF Headquarters, Washington, DC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is an excellent read published in the IMF Blog. It highlights that after being largely stable in many countries for decades, the share of national income paid as labour costs is declining.

Source: Drivers of Declining Labor Share of Income – IMF Blog

Since the 2008 financial crisis, working class and middle class families in many Western countries have struggled, often with incomes declining in real terms and public services under threat from austerity.

In political terms, both the far-left and the far-right have intervened with populist policies. But the issue is about changing economic fundamentals. Labour is less important to national output with increased dependence on technology.

In this excellent blog, the IMF marshals the evidence with clear argument and illustration.

For me, politicians are not being honest with voters about future jobs losses. It’s interesting to reflect on the French presidential race and whether Macron’s candid views on future job opportunities is politically advantageous.

Related articles

French election 2017: What are Emmanuel Macron’s policies? | World | News | Express.co.uk

April 27, 2017 By in Defense Policy, Euro Crisis, Fiscal Policy, Foreign Policy, French election, Growth, Immigration, People, Politicians, Politics, Public Services Reform, Unemployment Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

This is an insightful read from the UK’s Express. It argues that Emmanuel Macron is the favourite to win the French election run-off and tries to answer the question ‘what are his plans for France and the EU’?

Source: French election 2017: What are Emmanuel Macron’s policies?  | World | News | Express.co.uk

It is for the French people to decide. But there are some good ideas in Macron’s proposals and I wish him success.

Over the years, I have spent a lot of time working and living in France, as well as a tutor at one of France’s most famous and elitist universities. I am a little biased because I have always loved the French way of life. France is different and the French people want to preserve the difference but at the same time be an part of Europe. But France has a unique immigration challenge – Muslim children of immigrants from former colonies have been deprived opportunities and many have turned to radical Islam providing an existential crisis in France and in this area Macron’s policies probably need strengthening.

I’m a realist and have lived in France through national strikes and have seen the power of the French unions. Unlike the UK, Greece or Cyprus, France is unreformed and this is another part of its existential crisis – some of Macron’s plans provide reform but I worry here. Former French presidents of both the left and right have impaled themselves when trying to reform France. But surely Macron’s vision for France is not sustainable without radical reform and the risks are high?

France is a proud country and Macron offers some policies for a proud people. Assuming Macron beats Le Pen, the challenges will be enormous but he will quickly gain support and friendship from overseas. Macron reminds me of Obama in the early days but of course Obama was big on words and slow on delivery. Obama must not become another Obama.

Thoughts?