Fifteen proposals to usher in a new era

Contribution to a common policy framework for the 2027 presidential elections

Pierre Calame, June 2026

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The four transformations towards a second modernity

1. A new economic model reconciling the well-being of all with the preservation of the biosphere

The current economy, inherited from the liberal theories of the 18th and 19th centuries, has enabled unprecedented growth, but at the cost of the accelerated deterioration of the biosphere and the concentration of wealth. To remedy this, we must rethink the economy not as an autonomous, market-centred science, but as the art of managing our common home (the ‘ o ’ in Oïkos-nomie, all too often forgotten). This involves:

• Incorporating ecological limits : the economy must take account of closed cycles (recycling, the circular economy) rather than open cycles that draw indefinitely on natural resources.

• Reconciling social justice and ecology : transition measures (e.g. carbon taxation) must not place a greater burden on those on the lowest incomes. We must rebalance the distribution of scarce resources and value social cohesion as a pillar of well-being.

• Rethinking value : prosperity is no longer measured solely by GDP, but also by the quality of relationships (cooperation, solidarity) and the sustainability of production methods.

Related proposals

Individual carbon quotas

Rather than taxing carbon, which places a burden on low-income households, the document proposes a system of equal quotas for all, reduced by 6 per cent per year, based on the total ecological footprint (including imports). Each citizen would be allocated a quota, with the option to buy or sell units on a market organised at local, national and European levels. This system encourages frugality whilst ensuring fairness, and incentivises companies that ‘charge’ for their carbon content to decarbonise their supply chains.

Local land management

Land, a scarce and multifunctional resource (agriculture, biodiversity, housing), must be subject to collective governance. This requires a reform of land taxation (separating the value of buildings from that of the land itself), the extension of local authorities’ right of pre-emption, and the promotion of agroecological models adapted to specific regions.

Sustainable water management

Water, the quintessential common good, requires integrated management by catchment area, involving all stakeholders, and inter-territorial agreements. This involves closing the cycles (reusing wastewater, harvesting rainwater), making the most of the ‘green water’ released by vegetation, and preventing conflicts arising from water scarcity.

Pooling knowledge and experience

Knowledge and expertise are assets that multiply when shared. To turn them into a lever for collective prosperity, we must impose an obligation to share experiences on public bodies, develop cooperative databases (e.g. the use of AI in RAG), and encourage networks for exchange between stakeholders.

Plurality of currencies

The euro, as a single currency, does not allow us to distinguish between what needs to be developed (human labour, social ties) and what needs to be limited (consumption of non-renewable resources). The solution : supplement the euro with a carbon currency (to cap emissions) and widespread adoption of local currencies (to stimulate regional trade).

Creating the conditions for sustainable regions and production sectors

A sustainable society requires sustainable regions and sustainable production sectors. The former necessitate new tools for integrated regional management, whilst the latter must become the primary requirement of international trade

2. A new model of governance

The current system of governance – centralised and top-down – is ill-suited to the complexity of contemporary challenges. We must move from a representative democracy (where citizens delegate their power to elected representatives) to a permanent democracy, where public policies are co-developed with the stakeholders concerned, at all levels (regions, nation, Europe, world). This involves :

• Rethinking decentralisation : not as a transfer of powers, but as a recognition of regions as key players in the transition.

• Establishing multi-level governance: each issue (climate, health, education) must be addressed at the appropriate level, with vertical and horizontal cooperation between levels.

• Involving citizens: through citizens’ assemblies, national forums and deliberative processes to develop public policies.

Related proposals

Radical decentralisation

Transfer 50 per cent of tax revenue to local authorities (employment areas), and create regional economic agencies to analyse their economic metabolism (flows of materials, energy and money) and drive the transition. The aim : to restore the power to act to local stakeholders.

Permanent democracy

Make citizens’ assemblies (at regional and national levels) and multi-stakeholder processes the norm for developing public policy. The challenge: to reconcile citizens with politics by giving them an active role in decision-making.

Estates General of French society

Organise a two-stage cross-party debate (regional then national) to rethink public policies. Artificial intelligence can be used to synthesise contributions and facilitate deliberation.

Restore the European project to its former glory

The European Union, often perceived as merely a market, must become a model of multi-level governance. This requires replacing uniform standards with guiding principles to be implemented locally, and democratic reform (e.g. a European Constituent Assembly).

3. A new balance between individual rights and responsibilities

The early modern era saw the emergence of individual rights (the Declaration of 1789, the Universal Declaration of 1948), the foundation of our democracies.

But a society cannot be built solely on rights : it also needs shared responsibilities, without which it risks becoming a society of victims, where everyone sees only the rights they are denied. Responsibility is the universal value that balances rights : it implies that every individual, institution or company is accountable for the impact of their actions on the community (both human and non-human). This entails :

• Broadening the concept of responsibility : moving from subjective responsibility (based on intention) to objective responsibility (based on actual impacts), unlimited in time and space (e.g. climate), and collective (e.g. cumulative pollution).

• Redefining the social contract : in every field (research, business, finance), the implicit social contract must be revised to incorporate these new requirements.

• Promoting a global ethic : spearheaded by France and the EU, a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities could complement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Related proposals

Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities

To supplement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) with a Declaration of Responsibilities, recognising that every individual or actor bears joint responsibility proportionate to their power and knowledge. This declaration could serve as the basis for a global law of responsibility.

Mission-driven companies and triple accounting

Extend the status of mission-driven companies (under the PACTE Act) and mandate triple accounting (financial, social, environmental) to align profit with the common good. The aim: to highlight what matters (social and environmental impact) and not just what can be quantified (profits).

Regulation of remuneration

Cap executive pay at 100 times the minimum wage and regulate share options to reduce inequalities and restore trust in businesses. A powerful symbolic measure to rebalance the distribution of value.

4. France in the world : the outline of legitimate global governance

The challenges of the 21st century (climate, biodiversity, peace) transcend national borders. Yet international institutions (the UN, the WTO) remain trapped in an inter-state logic, where each country defends its sovereign interests. To remedy this, we must devise multi-level global governance, capable of managing the global commons (climate, oceans) and promoting co-operation between societies. France, with its history and influence, has a key role to play in championing this vision, drawing on the European Union.

Related proposals

Promoting the art of peace

Create an international network of peace schools and develop the teaching of non-violent conflict resolution, from the local to the global level. The aim : fto make peace an art that is taught, on a par with military strategy.

Dialogue between societies (not just between states)

Organise direct exchanges between social and professional groups from different cultures to overcome stereotypes and build shared solutions.

Global law of responsibility

Extend the Universal Declaration of Responsibilities to a global scale, with specialised courts (local, regional, global) for actors with a global impact (e.g. multinationals, states). The challenge : to ensure that responsibilities are effectively enforced across borders.

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