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The history of the world economy - Polyak GB

28.4. The economic development of France

The economy in the postwar period

During the war and in France clearly manifested features of the emerging system of state regulation of the economy. Her considerable material losses were partially offset by the losers countries (mainly Germany). On the basis of the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles in France, moved developed economically region -Elzas and Lorraine, for up to 15 years - coal Saar (Saarland since 1920 was under the control of the League of Nations). Together with other territorial acquisitions, as well as a large indemnity it was sufficient basis for the successful economic development of the country in the post-war, pre-crisis period (1919-1930). The pace of economic growth in France compared with other leading countries (except the US) were the highest. In general, the successful development was based on the forced growth rates in the industrial sector and especially in the new and old industries, is closely associated with the state military orders, while light industry, agriculture experienced stagnation and periodic crises. Suffice it to active state intervention was caused by not only the highly unstable political balance of power in Europe, but also the desire of France to achieve leadership monopoly on foreign markets, the need for the development of the newly acquired territories, unstable domestic political equilibrium under the influence of the growing popularity of the socialist and communist movements, a number of other factors. Nevertheless, we can say with confidence that etatization process after the First World War in France reversed.

Internal political relations

The global crisis has spread to France a little later - in 1930, but it was more protracted and very deep. During the crisis there was an extreme radicalization of domestic relations, owing to different from other countries in the social structure of French society, and the political traditions of the country. So, along with the strengthening of democratic and radical left movements revealed uncharacteristic for the republican-democratic traditions of France a clear tendency to fascist countries following the example of Italy and Germany. Persistent struggle between different political forces, in turn, defined the features of anti-crisis policy and largely influenced by the duration of the crisis.

Suppression of Communists and Socialists in February 1934 attempted putsch of the fascist, for which there were not only the fascist organizations, but also part of the big monopolies, the representatives of the church, caused a marked increase in the influence of the two left-wing parties: socialist (SFIO) and Communist (PCF), united in The Popular front, and accordingly the government authority fall. Such changes in political attitudes of citizens testified about the rejection of anti-crisis measures of the bourgeois cabinet, use traditional methods to reduce the budget deficit and restore the disturbed balance due to deflation, wage cuts, cuts in social spending, raising taxes, and so on. N.

Known proximity of ideological socialists and communists allowed to find a compromise between the leaders of the SFIO and the PCF on the anti-crisis program in the framework of a single organization leftist anti-fascist forces - the Popular Front, which by the beginning of 1936 brought together not only the party but also the organization of the radical socialists, the movement intelligentsia "Amsterdam-Pleyel" and others.

Popular Front program

Popular Front program was focused mainly on meeting the immediate needs of the general citizens. Among the main requirements it should be noted: the creation of a national fund of unemployment; reduction of the working week without reducing content; increase in the number of jobs, in particular by reducing the retirement age barrier; the organization of large-scale public works; regulation of the purchase prices for agricultural commodities, taking into account the interests of producers; support peasant cooperatives; revision of the law on charges for commercial premises; protect the interests of the small investor (small holders of the securities); reform of the tax system in favor of low-income citizens and others.

June 4, 1936 was created the first government of the Popular Front, headed by Prime Minister L. Blum, and on June 7, it was signed an agreement between the General Confederation of Labour (WCL) and entrepreneurs to increase wages, recognition of trade unions and shop stewards of the Institute. The agreement provided for the introduction of 40-hour work week, paid leave, recognition of the collective bargaining system. A few days later the paper and most of the economic situation of the Popular Front for the platform were legislated the decision of Parliament. It was the triumph of the Popular Front, and at the same time the culmination of the labor movement in his support.

Such a sharp change in the anti-crisis policy, which was reflected primarily in an increase in social spending, already two months later put the Blum government to the acute problem of excessively swollen public deficit. This forced the government to devalue the franc to the first, which is bound to adversely affect the living standards of the broad strata of citizens. Left Socialist government's policy direction, moreover, contributed to strengthening the capital flight from the country, deepening the process of reducing production, the emergence of other forms of counteracting the government's course from the first of all the big capital. In these circumstances, the Blum government did not dare to put under state control the activities of the Bank of France and to begin tax reform. A pause in the government's actions provoked a political crisis and as a result - the change of the cabinet.

Government measures K. Shota

radical socialist Government Camille Shota tried to find a compromise between the interests of the general public and representatives of big business at the expense of some limitation requirements of the Popular Front program. However, despite a significant curtailing budget expenditures, the state of the financial system has further deteriorated, prompting the government to hold a second devaluation of the currency. The inconsistency of the anti-crisis actions contributed to the aggravation of the social contradictions in the country, led to a split within the People's Front, resulting in significantly transformed and his program. For example, in February 1939 to the Right parliament rejects majority vote of the draft of the new labor statute (charter or labor).

As a result, the new government crisis in the spring of 1938 formed a second cabinet L. Blum, who holds the course to further curtailment of the Popular Front policy. It should be noted that this contributed not only to a split within the People's Front, the failure of anti-crisis measures, the growth of social tension, but also to a large extent the extreme intensification of intra-European situation with regard to the Anschluss of Austria. Thus, by reducing social expenditure Blum was hoping to speed up primarily of military defense construction in the country.

At the same time as a source of funds for the implementation of defense government programs were: an increase in the size of the tax on capital of more than 150 thousand francs, on the so-called privileged companies (concessions, licenses, etc.), On the super-profits of defense enterprises and the establishment of strict state control. for foreign exchange, import and some other activities. Trying to review the revenue and expenditure of the budget displeased representatives of major financial and industrial circles, on the one hand, and did not receive wide support of citizens, on the other hand, has determined that the imminent fall of the cabinet.

E. Government Aalade

Formed in April 1938, the government of Edouard Daladier finally abandoned the program of the Popular Front on the basis it has received from the Parliament of emergency powers. Daladier name associated with the signing of the Munich Agreement of four European powers (Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France) on the division of Czechoslovakia, the so-called policy of "appeasement" of Germany immediately preceding the beginning of the Second World War.

Status of economic uncertainty was typical for France until the end of the 30s, which is largely explained by the inconsistency of anti-crisis measures, and in fact the lack of a coherent national program exit from the crisis. As a result, France essentially ceded its position on world markets. Some recovery in the economy before the war was due to increased government spending on military construction.

Nevertheless, the Popular Front experience has shown the feasibility and effectiveness of joint efforts of the state and health of the society to resist totalitarianism, fascism; He laid the foundations of policy reforms and economic relations on the basis of the system of state regulation of development in the interests of the wider community without the use of extreme forms of social struggle. Etatization experience in France proved to be very useful in terms of reforming the economic relations in the country, as well as in several European countries (especially Scandinavian) after World War II.