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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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

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

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 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.

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...

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...

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 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...

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 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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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