Monday, May. 12, 2003

Converging on The Middle

Is it bad for France that the U.S. is the world's only superpower? The foreign policy of all the world's countries is defined in reference to American power. That's why I call America a hyper-power — not as a critique, but as a pure description of fact. Does that mean France no longer counts at all? Certainly not. Does it mean France has to accept that it is merely a medium-sized power? We can't say that either. I've always combated a certain presumptuous view France has of itself, but I don't defend the contrary. France should not undervalue itself or be self-deprecating.

Does France feel compelled to create an alternative to U.S. power? The goal of French foreign policy can't be to oppose the U.S. Our objectives are positive — to help construct a Europe where it is agreeable to live but which also has influence in the world, to contribute to a lasting solution in the Middle East, to reduce world poverty. We prefer to be in partnership with the Americans, but obviously that has to interest them, which is not always the case. When we agree, so much the better. When we disagree, we say so.

Are the French coming to see Brussels primarily as a place that pushes for more market-oriented policies? There is a contradiction between the French attachment to public services, which is real, and the liberal push from Brussels, but that doesn't create an anti-European sentiment here. We're permanently discussing how to harmonize economic dynamism with social protection. Most Europeans like America, but they have no desire to have an American society. Maybe some aspects — investments, the spirit of entrepreneurship — but not a place with very little social protection. Finding the right balance is the European discussion par excellence.

Why is France always on the non-liberalizing end of that discussion? France is a lot more liberal than it was in the past. The political positions voiced in France often sound quite restrictive, while in practice we've opened up a great deal to the marketplace. But no one wants to emulate Britain's railroads. Nor on the other hand do we want a public service that costs too much or is laden with bureaucracy.

Are the presidential elections being reduced to a popularity contest? In all the big democracies in this media-dominated age we see political positions converging. In France it is more striking because this is a highly politicized country that has lived for a long time with the idea that there is a radical difference between the right and the left. People who remember the great clashes between left and right might say there's no difference nowadays. But if we look at it more seriously, in a modern way, one very well sees differences between the two main candidates — in economic policies, fiscal policies, on security, in social policies. In the end, I think the people will vote on those points, not just on the personalities of the candidates.