The problem with a purely collective system is not only that it requires economic growth, and the right sort of demographic trends, but that it prevents people thinking about their futures in a responsible way.

Quote by Jacques Delors

Topics: Jacques Delors Quotes

The unions may continue to decline, but if they do, it'll be their fault

The unions may continue to decline, but if they do, it'll be their fault

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.

The problem of how we finance the welfare state should not obscure a separate issue:...

The problem of how we finance the welfare state should not obscure a separate issue:...

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

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

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

These days there are not enough of such intermediary groups, between the state and the...

These days there are not enough of such intermediary groups, between the state and the...

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...

Fundamentally, American society is composed of individuals who don't go out of their way to...

Fundamentally, American society is composed of individuals who don't go out of their way to...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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.