Like in "The Wire", problems are never simple and usually systemic. France is rigid : - renting is hard which makes moving and adjusting to varying earnings

Like in "The Wire", problems are never simple and usually systemic. France is rigid : - renting is hard which makes moving and adjusting to varying earnings hard. - banks are rigid : lots of companies need liquidity especially during the crisis and banks give them a hard time, lending to unnecessary bankruptcies. - laws are rigid : labor laws tend to make bosses and employees assholes "fighting" each other. Finance laws prevent more capital coming in. On the other hand, Health and natality rate are one of the better of the world and general quality of life remains very good.