Chirac backs down, France steps backwards

My recent stint in Brussels, while a fantastic success insofar as discovering new exotic beers, also provided a unique look at the inner workings of the European Union. It also provided a good look at what isn't working in the EU, and one of the most egregious examples was the labour situation in France. Over the weekend I spent in Paris (March 18-19), I witnessed firsthand the sheer folly in the streets of the Quartier Latin over the issue of the Contrat Première Embauche, or CPE.

I couldn't help but wonder what really lay at the root of all this, but mostly I had come to understand Villepin's efforts as being a necessary first step in the right direction. For France to remain competitive in an ever more competitive global marketplace, labour laws would have to undergo a rather major reform. Villepin's proposed law seemed well intentioned, albeit humble. I think by now it is abundantly clear that the French people deemed it anything but humble.

But, to Villepin's credit, he stood by the proposed law despite the mortal blows he suffered in public opinion. This was, if nothing else, a great example of a leader doing exactly what a leader should do: serve his people's better interests, not merely execute their wishes.

But today, this admirable quality was once again trumped by chronic the short-sightedness of the French people, for whom it has been said that "reform is impossible; revolution is the only means to effect change."

From the BBC News website:

French President Jacques Chirac has announced that the new youth employment law that sparked weeks of sometimes violent protests will be scrapped. He said it would be replaced by other measures to tackle youth unemployment [...] Union and student leaders said it was a "great victory" but it is not clear if protests set for Tuesday are still on [...] The plan to replace the CPE was announced after a meeting between the president, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and other senior ministers on Monday.

The new package of measures includes offering state support for employers hiring young people who face the most difficulties in gaining access to the labour market. It was being submitted to parliament on Monday and is expected to be voted on in the next few days. Speaking in a live television address, Mr de Villepin said the president had accepted his proposed changes. The prime minister said he was convinced that the only way of addressing joblessness in France was a better balance between flexibility for employers and security for employees.

"For some time the action of the government had been guided by one objective, to provide thousands of young people from our society with opportunities for jobs," he said. I wanted to act very quickly because the dramatic situation and the despair of a number of young people warranted it. This was not understood by everyone, I'm sorry to say.

This is a failure of leadership, a failure of communication, and a failure of will. Rarely has the issue been so clear, yet so hopelessly misunderstood. France needs a revolution, or it will collapse, plain and simple. It was offered a reform, at which it indignantly sneered. This is a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of entrenched narrow-mindedness. France has a long and storied tradition of successful capitalism, but rather than learning from its success, it clings to an outmoded mentality that will ultimately prove ruinous.

Theodore Hesburgh

South Bend, Indiana

After the Social Capital conference, I had the honor of attending a reception at the Notre Dame Pressbox, a reception that was attended by Rev. Theodore "Ted" Hesburgh.

Once again, the Notre Dame legends caught up to me. I'd heard of this man before, in point of fact, you can't attend Notre Dame without hearing his name mentioned. And for good cause: he was president of the university for 35 years, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, held 16 different presidential appointments and has 150 honorary degrees (the ost in the world), and on and on. The man is a legend.

But all of that is available on his webpage. What one can't get from his bio is the experience of his presence. And believe me, it's something. Just like at our breakfast with Lou Holtz, I kept thinking to myself "am I just awed by the legend, or is it the man?"

It's easy to get caried away. After all, people act differently around him. The respect is palpable. There are eight of us at the table--all students. Everyone is quiet, possibly awed to silence, but most likely just hoping they can summon all their wits to think of something intelligent to say. Our conversation is light--someone asks him about the most memorable place he's visited. His answer: Antarctica. Wow. His life is replete with such toppers. After accomplishing a difficult task for then President Nixon, he was offered a favour--any favour. What does he ask for? A ride on the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest plane ever made. He officially holds bragging rights over 99% of pilots on the planet, having flown at Mach 3.5. Very cool.

Just as had happened with Lou Holtz the previous day, everyone at the table seemed too caught up in the moment to be able to think of something interesting to talk about. I asked him about Carl Sagan. "For a man who claimed not to believe in God, he sure liked to talk about it a lot!" was his comment. He talked of their long conversations about religion and the existence of god. Man I wish I'd been there to witness one of those conversations!

Lou Holtz

South Bend, Indiana

Well, what better way to sum up the weekend than to indulge in some name-dropping. I feel ridiculous doing this, chiefly because I've never been one to get star struck (except for when it comes to hockey players). This past weekend was the much-anticipated 2006 Notre Dame MBA Leadership Conference, an event that we've been putting together for the past year. The weekend was shaping up to be brutal: 12-hour days, lots of stress about the unfolding of the event, and making sure all the details work out as planned.

The conference began on Thursday, with a reception at the Eck center, punctuated by a performance by the Notre Dame Glee Club--as appropriate a kickoff as could have been planned.

Friday went off without a hitch. Our featured speaker, Bill Cook, demonstrated what one can accomplish if one lives a life of passion rather than one bound by duty alone. Seriously, the man's built a billion-dollar medical supplies empire and produced a Tony-award winning Broadway play, all the while using his abilities for the benefit of his home state of Indiana. (His involvement with the Monroe County Historical Society in particular was impressive).

But the weekend conference was just getting started. On Saturday morning, we were scheduled to have an early breakfast with legendary coach Lou Holtz. A. was giddy with anticipation, but I was honestly indifferent. You have to remember, I'm a latecomer to this lore and legend of Notre Dame football. Sure, I've developed my own impressions over these past two years, but it still hasn't percolated through me to the point of feeling reverential awe in this man's presence.

But then you listen to the man's words, and all indifference vanishes. He's not eloquent in the most traditional sense. He is a plainspoken, affable and benevolent old guy, and he exudes a serene confidence that you know comes from a life of great accomplishment. "Great games are when you win'em," he says simply, and everyone nods in agreement.

It's hard to tell if the man or the legend is what touched me that morning, because we're all susceptible to the intoxication of the myth. But the simple truth is that, no matter the credentials, an earnest devotion to a life of principle is something to be admired. And it's an example I'm already familiar with.