President Sarkozy was a guest speaker in Geneva where he had been invited by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The French president said: "Regulation of globalisation is the central issue. Either we have reason or we will have revolt. Either we have justice or we will have violence. Either we have reasonable protection or we will have protectionism."
On Monday, the American government outlined proposals that will lead to stricter regulation of the biggest financial organisations.
President Sarkozy's ideas were supported by Brazil's political leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants to see an end to financial speculation and tax havens.
