INTERVIEW – While the news seems to indicate a deep withdrawal of French society on itself, Jacques Malet returns to the state of solidarity in France.
Sad scene that delivered by the residents of the very chic XVIe arrondissement of Paris, where the project of a reception center for homeless people has triggered collective hysteria. The same resentment in Marseille, where the Abbé Pierre Foundation must brave the rebellion of residents opposed to the installation of public showers for those who live in the streets. What to wonder: have the French become perfectly selfish?
The attractive idea comes up against a given: donations to charities are on the rise (+ 4% between 2013 and 2014), according to the latest barometer “The Generosity of the French” carried out by Recherches et Solidarités, a network of academics and solidarity experts. Jacques Malet, its president, returns to this French paradox.
The tendency seems to be to withdraw into oneself… is it the crisis?
Jacques Malet : It is certain that the crisis, by distilling a feeling of insecurity, did not make things easier. But in reality, if there is a deep egoist in each person – this is how human nature is constructed – there is also an actor, who wants to do things collectively, in a form of solidarity. and self-effacement for the benefit of the group. These two identities constantly fluctuate over the course of life and in the face of personal or collective events.
We cannot judge things if we do not take into account these plural components of the human being. Some are overwhelmingly selfish; others, on the other hand, are too generous – typically, the one who takes the visually impaired person by the arm to make him cross the street when he had no intention of doing so! But these two extremes remain rather rare.
Most people fluctuate between these different states. They express a withdrawal when they have the impression that their plate or their garden is threatened – this is what happened in the 16e arrondissement. But they show deep emotions in the face of disasters, as evidenced by the influx of donations after a significant, shocking or traumatic event.
Jacques Malet, President of Recherches & Solidarité: ” The Alpes-Maritimes, one of the least generous departments in France, showed a surge of generosity in the aftermath of the floods “
But images of refugee families crowded into camps should heighten selflessness, which doesn’t appear to be the case?
Jacques Malet. : We can only show solidarity if we are comfortable in our sneakers. And you only feel good in your sneakers if you think of yourself. Solidarity and individualism are not at all incompatible, all the volunteers of associations know it – we act for others, but above all for ourselves.
In this case, the example comes from above. We are faced with a ruling class – politicians, unions… – which manifest a logic of each for himself, each for his shop. When someone on the right is insensitive to ideas from the left because they are from the left (and vice versa), not only do we show that we only think with a part of the brain, but in addition, we reinforce a climate selfishness. It is not a great incentive for the population.
Added to this is a very negative media discourse, which tends to focus on the problems, the difficulties. Suddenly, a lot of people are in anticipation: before being generous, let’s wait and see what the future will look like. The outlook was different a few decades ago, after the Trente Glorieuse; the population was much less fearful.
So you have to wait for better days to be generous…?
Jacques Malet. In France, one in four people donate their time for free to an association. In addition, another in four people (but maybe it is the same?) Gives money to these associations, and these donations are on the rise. We can say that 25% of French people show lasting solidarity, in one way or another.
In our work, we have shown that two out of three French people are involved in a collective and solidarity project – with an association, a town hall, a church, a union, a school … acts of a formidable lever. We have signed a platform to challenge politicians on this very intense expectation within the population, which requires a sincere, courageous and constructive speech. Because all this is nothing other than solidarity; in the end, the objective is the common interest, social cohesion, the success of an entire society. In fact, in France, there is a sleeping treasure.
Jacques Malet : ” Only 15% of French people think that social cohesion in France is correct. We must manage to find the speeches to sensitize all those who ask only to act for the community “
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-1611236766.jpg "Confinement, barrier gestures, vaccination: thinking about others makes it easier to accept the rules")
