In this new book, Jacques de Larosière analyzes the causes of France’s decline. Taking the elites to task, he calls for a quick and decisive end to the politics of denial and easy monetary and fiscal solutions.
“Why have we come to this point? And how do we emerge from it?
“The issue is ultimately a triple servitude that occupies the public sphere and overwhelms our thinking: servitude to a false doctrine, that of the continuous expansion of demand inspired by a poorly
understood Keynesianism; servitude to reassuring propaganda, encouraged by public authorities; and intellectual servitude in which political correctness takes precedence over freedom of thought and expression.

“If we don’t turn the tables, chances are good that our decline will continue, the point of catastrophe in a few years.” J. de L.

Jacques de Larosière has spent his entire career at the highest levels of financial institutions: he directed the International Monetary Fund (1978–1987) before becoming governor of the Banque de France (1987–1993), then president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1993–1998). He is a member of the Académie des sciences morales et politiques. He is the author of, notably, 40 ans d’égarements économiques, 50 ans de crises financières and En finir avec le règne de l’illusion financière. 

1. Cover Page
2. Title Page
3. Copyright Page
4. We need to turn the tables and get out of servitude
5. First part - The decline was largely our fault, as it is the result of measures taken and, even more so, of the absence of essential structural reforms
   1. Chapter I - National education in France is not what it used to be
   2. Chapter II - France has undergone spectacular de-industrialisation over the last 20 years
   3. Chapter III - France's dependence on imports
   4. Chapter IV - A country whose public finances have been permanently derailed
   5. Chapter V - France, poverty and inequality
6. Part Two - How did we get here? Is there a way out?
   1. Chapter VI - Historical and structural factors
   2. Chapter VII - The hiatus of the 80s and 90s: the fatal sequence
   3. Chapter VIII - Political decay and electoral abstention: “a democracy that no longer inspires confidence”
   4. Chapter IX - ‘Is it beyond repair? Why does the table have to be turned over?
7. Conclusion
8. Table of contents