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France economist Thomas Piketty rejects Legion D'Honneur | France economist Thomas Piketty rejects Legion D'Honneur |
(about 3 hours later) | |
French economist Thomas Piketty, the best-selling author of Capital in the 21st Century, has turned down France's top award, the Legion D'Honneur. | French economist Thomas Piketty, the best-selling author of Capital in the 21st Century, has turned down France's top award, the Legion D'Honneur. |
"I do not think it is the government's role to decide who is honourable", Mr Piketty said. | "I do not think it is the government's role to decide who is honourable", Mr Piketty said. |
His book examines income inequality in society and became a surprise hit, topping the bestseller list in the US. | His book examines income inequality in society and became a surprise hit, topping the bestseller list in the US. |
It is rare for anyone to turn down the award, says the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris. | |
But Mr Piketty, who was once close to the Socialist Party but has criticised the government of Francois Hollande, said he was unable to accept the award. | But Mr Piketty, who was once close to the Socialist Party but has criticised the government of Francois Hollande, said he was unable to accept the award. |
"I have just learned that I was nominated for the Legion D'Honneur. I refuse this nomination because I do not think it is the government's role to decide who is honourable," he told the news agency AFP. | "I have just learned that I was nominated for the Legion D'Honneur. I refuse this nomination because I do not think it is the government's role to decide who is honourable," he told the news agency AFP. |
"They would do better to concentrate on reviving [economic] growth in France and Europe." | "They would do better to concentrate on reviving [economic] growth in France and Europe." |
Capital, a book of almost 600 pages, sold half a million copies and was much-debated, particularly in the US. | Capital, a book of almost 600 pages, sold half a million copies and was much-debated, particularly in the US. |
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman called it "the most important economics book of the year - and maybe of the decade". | Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman called it "the most important economics book of the year - and maybe of the decade". |
Last year, cartoonist Jacques Tardi also turned down the Legion D'Honneur. | Last year, cartoonist Jacques Tardi also turned down the Legion D'Honneur. |
Others to have refused the award include philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and radiology pioneers Pierre and Marie Curie. | Others to have refused the award include philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and radiology pioneers Pierre and Marie Curie. |