Protection sociale et solidarité en France. Évolutions et questions d'avenir

The French Welfare state has experienced important changes in the last 25 years, with contrasted and even opposite consequences in terms of solidarity. Individual responsibility has been emphasized, as well as the potentially negative effects of social expenditure. The institutional framework of the social protection system has become more complex, with an extended role of additional insurances and local authorities. The problems of finances and labour cost have constantly been on the agenda, while unemployment and part-time or short-term labour contracts have made social protection less effective. Ageing now implies new collective choices, especially in terms of funding, in order to preserve solidarity in the face of social risks. Yet, the financial incentives implemented in the fields of retirement, health or minimum income are neither fair nor effective, when benefit recipients have no real capacity of choice, and when financial responsibility is not extended to other actors such as firms or health care providers. The paper also focuses on the issues of universal versus targeted benefits and individualisation of the tax-benefit system. JEL Classification: H50, H51, H53, H55, I0, I8, I30.