For me, socialism has always been about liberty and solidarity, but also about responsibility.

This weakening is worsened by the widening distance between the governed and their governments.

My presidential victory, if it had happened, would have been artificial in relation to the Socialist party. It may be that on my deathbed, I will come to regret my decision, but for the moment, I live at peace with it.

Fundamentally, American society is composed of individuals who don't go out of their way to do each other favours.

Cinema explains American society. It's like a Western, with good guys and bad guys, where the weak don't have a place.

These days there are not enough of such intermediary groups, between the state and the individual, with the result that political leaders are often unduly guided by opinion polls.

The problem with a purely collective system is not only that it requires economic growth, and the right sort of demographic trends, but that it prevents people thinking about their futures in a responsible way.