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In the last 15 years, new ethical values like social justice, equity as well as responsibility have spread and succeeded in breaking into the public policies of the European democracies. This article deals with the most significant of these values which is the respect of the dignity of humankind. Our purpose is to show how it became the new matrix (or political shape) in making decisions and evaluating social policies in the European Union and in France. Enforced by the statement of the Charter of European Union fundamental Human Rights, it now stands in very first place, far beyond the values of freedom, equality and solidarity. Actually, throughout the Western welfare states, dignity is considered again as a natural right close to the universal characteristics of human nature, and it has gradually been turned into a fundamental tenet of human rights.