GenerationLibre provides an unprecedented analysis of the positive and negative consequences of lockdowns on French people’s life expectancy.
The lockdowns implemented in France to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic have saved lives but have also created significant collateral damage among the population.
We have quantified this equation using a methodology that allows us to measure the positive and negative consequences of lockdowns on the population’s life expectancy : on the one hand, years of life gained thanks to the restrictive measures, and on the other hand, years of life lost as a result of the economic crisis.
We do not conclude that lockdowns were undesirable, but we do warn against underestimating their side effects, especially among young people.
Our modelling rounds off an estimated gain of 500,000 years of life and an estimated loss of 1,200,000 years of life at a national level between March 2020 and April 2021.
These initial figures are note definitive (they call for other evaluations using different methodologies), but they do provide essential information for the public debate.
The lives affected by the lockdowns are less visible than the ones preserved, but they are no less precious. Our collective choices must be judged by their collective consequences.
GenerationLibre advocates a market-based model to legalize cannabis in France in order to protect consumers and end the informal market.
The war against cannabis in France is clearly a sanitary and security failure. While repression fails to turn anyone away from its use, it does leave consumers in the grip of a criminal system. Conversely, legalizing cannabis allows to reduce crime, does not lead to a significant rise of consumption, and enables a good protection of the most vulnerable.
An overview of the various experiments carried out abroad (Uruguay, United States, Canada) shows the superiority of models based on a regulated cannabis market to dry up the black market.
We stand for the liberalisation of production, distribution and consumption of cannabis in France.
We campaign for a private-sector production through a licensing system subjected to regulation in order to ensure best compliance with health standards.
Distribution is allowed for all licence holders and also open to some former dealers to facilitate their economic transition.
Finally, as for tobacco, sales are prohibited to minors and consumption is restricted in certain places opened to the public. Advertising is regulated along the same lines as alcohol.
Tax revenues from cannabis legalisation will finance prevention and support programmes for vulnerable and addicted people.
Discover HERE volume I – Legalising cannabis: Legal and medical arguments in favour of a model change. (May 2018).
GenerationLibre wants to change the decision process of the public budget in France so that citizens can better understand their tax system.
The “yellow vests” movement reflects the poor level of tax consent in France. A burdensome, complex and opaque tax system leaves French citizens with an impression of helplessness when it comes to the control of public finances.
The increase in public spending is at odds with citizens’ opinions. Our report shows a gap between the public budgets as they have been decided by elected representatives and the ones voters wish.
We provide a new mechanism alllowing every French citizen to put itself in the finance minister’s shoes.
Every year, the taxpayers will be able to learn more about the details of the public budget at the same time as they declare their income to the tax administration. They will also be given the opportunity to give their personal opinions on the budget’s breakdown, including each budget item.
Every year, when the Parliament votes the budget, it will have to do so by discussing beforehand the results of this “citizens’ budgetary consultation”.
The objective is two-fold: give further details to citizens on how their taxes are spent, and policy-makers additional information on the budget preferences of the taxpayers.
