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This page was translated from the German original, partly by machine. Some passages may read awkwardly or contain inaccuracies. When in doubt, please read the original.

Summary: The Fight Against the Rise of Egoism

Original title in the newspaper Le Monde:
"How can one fight against the rise of egoism? Najat Vallaud-Belkacem discusses with the sociologist Camille Peugny", fr: Comment lutter contre la montée des égoïsmes ? Najat Vallaud-Belkacem débat avec le sociologue Camille Peugny

Structured summary: Equality of opportunity and equality of conditions in the face of the triumph of egoism​

1. Egoism as a "new social constraint"​

Camille Peugny, sociologist, analyses the emergence of a generalized egoism since the 1980s, which has become a social norm in France and other Western societies.

This phenomenon is explained by the retreat of the welfare state and the rise of individual competition, which displace collective values (solidarity, public services). Egoism is no longer a moral choice but a constraint imposed by the system, in which each and every one must fight for their own place: in school, work and everyday life.

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, former minister, confirms this analysis: the commercialization of society (education, health, etc.) and the digital attention economy (algorithms, social networks) reinforce individualistic behaviours and weaken civic sense.

2. Dangers for equality​

  • Educational inequalities: Privileged classes defend their privileges (private schools, refusal of social mixing) and turn the school into a field of struggle for places. Meritocracy becomes an illusion that veils a "heritocracy".
  • Precarization of the working classes: Precarious employment (delivery services, domestic helpers) and Uberization push the most vulnerable into a forced individual responsibility — without a social safety net.
  • Rise of neoliberalism: Upper middle classes, once progressive, now profess competition and merit and interpret inequalities as the result of individual paths. This ideological turn weakens redistribution policies.
  • Weakening of the collective: Social movements (yellow vests, pension protests) barely find a hearing; this demotivates civic engagement.

3. Equality of opportunity vs. equality of conditions​

  • Equality of opportunity (fair competition) dominates but is insufficient: it does not guarantee a dignified life for all (workers, cashiers, etc.).
  • Many people from the lower classes do not really live this equality of opportunity, because they live under unequal conditions.
  • Equality of conditions is central to social cohesion. Living conditions are very different: adequate wages, affordable rents, working conditions, social mobility.
  • Merit or origin: The middle class increasingly believes that it owes its success to its own merit alone. They forget their debt to their origin and to society as a whole.

4. What is to be done?​

  • Reduce the importance of diplomas: In France it is still too important to have attended a renowned university. We need more continuing education, lifelong learning, apprenticeship.
  • Improve wages and career paths in low-skilled occupations.
  • Fight against discrimination (gender, origin, colour of skin).
  • Collective regulation: The state should curb market excesses (e.g. limit addictive algorithms, protect public services).
  • Anchor left-wing themes in everyday life:
  • Give the collective meaning again: through civic education, associations and concrete successes (e.g. the reception of Ukrainian refugees in 2022).
    • take up "small" everyday themes (commuting times, maintenance payments)
    • develop a social bilingualism and speak with the working classes without condescension.