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

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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

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.

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 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...

The countries that share this conception should be able to go further together, without excluding...

The countries that share this conception should be able to go further together, without excluding...

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...

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...

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,...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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.

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...