France's Economy

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses France's economy today, looking in particular at how recent changes in policy made by national and regional socialist leaders have changed the economic equation in the country. It evaluates one of the most important of these changes, the push toward a shorter work week in an effort to reduce unemployment, which is higher than in most other industrialized nations. It analyzes how the consequences of such a reduced work week may be unfortunate for France's businesses and productivity but may soak up the nagging double-digit unemployment and set the world standard.

From the Paper:

"All of these changes of the current government and its recent forebears are taking place against an economy that is relatively stable, as are those of similar countries throughout the world. France, once primarily agricultural, has become increasingly industrialized since World War II. During the postwar period, successive French governments have instituted a series of wide-ranging plans designed to foster national recovery and increase governmental direction of the economy and to create the ideal balance between industry and agriculture (Encarta, 1999 CD-ROM edition, entry on France)."

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