La France n'accepte pas de payer le prix de ses ambitions

This article takes as its starting point the massive changes in French political, economic and social life since the 1960s, as part of a process of internationalisation involving world trade and the commitments of European integration. In particular, the myth of the all-powerful state and old ideological quarrels have been laid to rest. However, the state itself has been slow to reform and has often used international commitments as an excuse for inaction. Most importantly, the gap between elite and public has slowed down modernisation and fuelled fear of the future. More imaginative solutions to public policy and more rigorous policy evaluation are needed.