France is one of the most taxed and regulated countries in the developed world — yet its public finances, public services, and authority are widely seen as failing.

In this episode, we examine the political and philosophical project of Nouvelle Énergie, a reformist movement in French politics that argues France’s problem is not a lack of state, but a state that is too large, too centralized, and ineffective.

We explore Nouvelle Énergie’s core idea of the “Performance State” — a model designed to replace the traditional welfare state by prioritizing liberty, responsibility, property, and measurable results over bureaucracy and debt.

From public spending and taxation to justice, security, education, and immigration, this episode breaks down one of the most comprehensive reform blueprints currently debated in France — and the central tension it raises: can a state radically shrink bureaucracy while restoring authority without sacrificing liberty?