(04 April 2019) – With his book, “La France des territoires, défis et promesses” (France’s territories, challenges and promises), Pierre Veltz offers a stimulating analysis. His hypothesis is that we are witnessing a local turning point which, if well negotiated, could constitute a decisive lever for the future of the country and its territories. And this also has value for Europe.
This local turning point is obviously embodied in the many economic, social and environmental initiatives that can be observed in the territories. Supported by local institutions, citizen groups and even individuals, these initiatives reflect a desire to make a concrete commitment to tackle inequalities as well as climate change and its consequences.
By anchoring his analysis in the long term and drawing on his in-depth knowledge of socio-economic transformations, particularly those concerning globalisation and ‘hyperindustrialisation’, Pierre Veltz deconstructs many of the misconceptions that clutter public debate and manages to articulate France’s political challenges in new terms.
A new development model is emerging. It combines individuals and local initiative capacity, regional metropolitan system and integration and outreach capacity.
VELTZ Pierre, “La France des territoires, défis et promesses”, L’Aube, 2019.