Piketty refuses Legion of Honor: "I don't think it the role of government to decide who's honorable"

[kpete]

Piketty Refuses French Honor, Says Nation Should Focus on Growth



Thomas Piketty, the economist who criticized income inequality in a best-selling book, refused to accept France’s highest decoration, saying the nation should focus on reviving economic growth rather than issuing awards.

“It isn’t up to the government to decide who’s honorable,” the 43-year-old professor at the Paris School of Economics told Agence France-Presse. “They would do better to concentrate on reviving growth.”

Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion d’honneur is France’s highest honor and recognizes achievements in fields including public service, economics and culture. By turning down the award, Piketty joins a diverse group including writer Jean-Paul Sartre and Maurice Ravel, the composer of Bolero.

Piketty’s “Capital in the Twenty-First Century,” published in English last year, tapped into a global debate about inequality. The issue was also raised by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen in October when she questioned the disparities of wealth and income growth.


http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2015/01/01/l-economiste-thomas-piketty-refuse-la-legion-d-honneur_4548309_3246.html#meter_toaster

[mountain grammy]

1. The guy's for real!

[Recursion]

2. Or he doesn't want a medal from a socialist (nt)

[Luminous Animal]

3. That would be weird because he worked as an economist for the Socialist Party in France.

[Enthusiast]

6. +1 an entire shit load.

[el_bryanto]

4. Wrongheaded

Unless you don't believe in government as a concept (which is not the case with Mr. Piketty) one of the things that the government can do is encourage excellence in scholarship and art. Piketty's work should be celebrated, not because it is an ending, but because it is, one hopes, another step towards improving society. The French government recognized that; while Piketty is free to do as he likes, I think it best to be gracious in those situations.

Bryant

[daleanime]

5. Good point.....

started off thinking that he did a noble thing when reading the article, got down here and you changed my mind.

[Enthusiast]

7. PLUS ONE, a whole bunch!