Abstract

The economic policies of the French Left are based on the hypothesis that the modernization of the industrial apparatus and the resurgence of the spirit of business enterprise are indispensable preconditions for the resumption of economic growth and a major reduction of unemployment. To support this line of argument, many experts (of all shades of political opinion), refer to Reagan's America. What exactly is this experience about? Is it a possible model? Can capitalism resolve its employment and distribution problems when, due to the impact of automation and computerization, the production process requires less and less work, and pays out less and less in wages?