I actually know very little about Le Monde, but it is one of the few non-english language publications I recognize or see quoted. Pretty much NY Times equivalent, right?

That said, despite this being ostensibly "about France", it is a really good summary of the US/UK as well -- as others have pointed out (and you have) quality of life rather than strict growth should be an issue -- but even on the "strict growth" measures, France isn't bad and the US/UK could do "better" (whatever that means ;)

Thanks for writing this and translating it here.