The problem of how we finance the welfare state should not obscure a separate issue: if each person thinks he has an inalienable right to welfare, no matter what happens to the world, that's not equity, it's just creating a…

Quote by Jacques Delors

Topics: Jacques Delors Quotes

For me, socialism has always been about liberty and solidarity, but also about responsibility.

For me, socialism has always been about liberty and solidarity, but also about responsibility.

My problem is how to find the best way of being useful.

My problem is how to find the best way of being useful.

The European model is in danger if we obliterate the principle of personal responsibility.

The European model is in danger if we obliterate the principle of personal responsibility.

I cannot resign myself to thi decline of Europe, and of France.

I cannot resign myself to thi decline of Europe, and of France.

I had to think whether, after 50 years of hard slog, I was still lucid...

I had to think whether, after 50 years of hard slog, I was still lucid...

Any union that can't accept workers choosing their own representatives through universal franchise is finished.

Any union that can't accept workers choosing their own representatives through universal franchise is finished.

This weakening is worsened by the widening distance between the governed and their governments.

This weakening is worsened by the widening distance between the governed and their governments.

Yes, the European model remains superior to that of America and Japan.

Yes, the European model remains superior to that of America and Japan.

We have to struggle against the conservatives from all sides, not only the right-wingers, but...

We have to struggle against the conservatives from all sides, not only the right-wingers, but...

I would not be opposed to devising a new system of pensions, in which one...

I would not be opposed to devising a new system of pensions, in which one...

Cinema explains American society. It's like a Western, with good guys and bad guys, where...

Cinema explains American society. It's like a Western, with good guys and bad guys, where...

My presidential victory, if it had happened, would have been artificial in relation to the...

My presidential victory, if it had happened, would have been artificial in relation to the...

Even in Britain, the trade unions tell me that employment contracts have less protection than...

Even in Britain, the trade unions tell me that employment contracts have less protection than...

The driving force behind the liberal counter-offensive in Europe has been a reaction against irresponsibility.

The driving force behind the liberal counter-offensive in Europe has been a reaction against irresponsibility.

The problem with a purely collective system is not only that it requires economic growth,...

The problem with a purely collective system is not only that it requires economic growth,...

Therefore one should speak at the same time of national citizenship and wider European citizenship.

Therefore one should speak at the same time of national citizenship and wider European citizenship.

This desire for equity must not lead to an excess of welfare, where nobody is...

This desire for equity must not lead to an excess of welfare, where nobody is...

The unions still have a job to do, representing their members' interests to governments and...

The unions still have a job to do, representing their members' interests to governments and...

If you don't have collective agreements between unions and employers, governments have to legislate more.

If you don't have collective agreements between unions and employers, governments have to legislate more.

The European model is, first, a social and economic system founded on the role of...

The European model is, first, a social and economic system founded on the role of...