Note 11 - Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Changes in the Level 3 Plan Assets of Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2019	Dec. 01, 2018
Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	$ 346,460	$ 378,099
Currency change effect	0	0
Level 3 balance at end of year	383,527	346,460
Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	169,455	187,708
Currency change effect	(1,047)	(9,191)
Level 3 balance at end of year	185,331	169,455
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	82,910	79,300
Currency change effect	0	0
Level 3 balance at end of year	94,474	82,910
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	266
Level 3 balance at end of year	219	266
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	662
Level 3 balance at end of year	675	662
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	82,446
Level 3 balance at end of year	94,082	82,446
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	266	291
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net	(47)	(25)
Level 3 balance at end of year	219	266
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	662
Level 3 balance at end of year	675	662
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	662	660
Net transfers into / (out of) level 3	28	30
Net gains	5	6
Currency change effect	(20)	(34)
Level 3 balance at end of year	675	662
Insurance [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	82,446	78,894
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net	(720)	(671)
Net transfers into / (out of) level 3	(403)	(422)
Net gains	12,759	4,645
Level 3 balance at end of year	$ 94,082	$ 82,446