Bruno Le Maire suggests transitioning from a “welfare state” to a “protective state” in an interview with the Journal du dimanche on March 17. However, behind the words of the economy minister lies a manipulative government that prefers to cut public services rather than address budget deficits by seeking funds from where they accumulate. This approach disproportionately affects departments, particularly impacting seniors, youth, individuals with disabilities, women, and men facing difficulties. This shift jeopardizes the access to social protection and emancipation that the local public services provide, reducing solidarity towards marginalized voices and threatening the foundational values of freedom, equality, and fraternity in our society.
An alarming example of this negligence is the state of bridges in France, highlighted in a Senate report on “Bridge Safety: Avoiding a Tragedy” from 2019. The report suggests that one in ten bridges in France are at risk, totaling around 25,000 bridges, many of which are under the responsibility of departments without adequate funding for maintenance. Rural populations are particularly affected by bridge closures, potentially leading to social isolation and disruptions in essential services like healthcare facilities, schools, and businesses on the other side of the bridge, ultimately severing crucial community ties.
The impact of technocratic cost-cutting measures imposed by the government extends to professions centered around care and social support. From child protection to elderly care, the social sector is facing austerity measures despite the urgent need for public investment to improve working conditions and wage levels. This lack of support disproportionately affects young adults under protection services, whose numbers have increased by 9% between 2018 and 2019 and by 30% between 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the majority of French citizens aspire to age at home for as long as possible but may struggle due to the insufficient public resources allocated for home care support.
The consequences of these policies extend beyond financial constraints, affecting the quality of services and the well-being of both service users and providers. Professional caregivers face diminishing opportunities for interpersonal connection and care due to administrative burdens and resource limitations, compromising the meaningfulness of their work. This erosion of human interaction and care within the social sector undermines the essential role of the public service in fostering solidarity and addressing societal needs. The prioritization of economic austerity measures over public investment threatens the fundamental principles of social cohesion and responsibility in our society.
In conclusion, the government’s shift towards a “protective state” under the guise of fiscal responsibility and efficiency is revealed to be a strategy to cut essential public services, diminishing social support networks and jeopardizing the well-being of vulnerable populations. The neglect of critical infrastructure like bridges, coupled with inadequate funding for social care services, underscores the detrimental impact of austerity measures on community resilience and cohesion. Furthermore, the lack of investment in the social sector undermines the values of solidarity and mutual aid fundamental to a democratic society, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of government priorities to prioritize the well-being and rights of all individuals.
