In the English-speaking world slagging off the French is a popular pastime.
The Americans blame the French for snobbish culture and political correctness. Australia and New Zealand dislike the French for testing nuclear bombs in the South Pacific.
The British still blame the French for their capitulation in 1940 as well as their role in founding the European Union, while English-speaking Canadians blame the French for Quebec.
As far as political correctness goes, France is no worse than any other western country. For example, France has conscription, modern nuclear power stations, and low taxes on cigarettes – hardly signs of extreme political correctness.
Its laws and economy may be a bit bureaucratic and socialist for some tastes but at least it doesn’t impose its economic views on countries outside the EU.
We should also give the French credit were credits due.
France has a proud intellectual tradition from the 18th century physiocrats and encyclopedists to great 20th Century historians like Fernand Braudel and Jacques Barzun – and where would political satire be without Voltaire.
As far as food and wine are concerned, France is number one – this isn’t really a debatable point. A visit to any reasonable sized French supermarket will reveal great food at very reasonable prices. Where else can you get a drinkable bottle of wine for a few euros.
France did co-found the EU (for better or worse) but it has had the good sense to reject the European Constitution and isn’t about to surrender its national autonomy.
Where the French really do deserve to be criticised its for spawning the demonic ramblings of post modern philosophy. France certainly owes the world an apology for the likes of Foucault and Derrida.
In Regards to the French outpost of Quebec, I don’t see what wrong with them asserting their own culture (at least in Quebec) or rejecting some aspects of American consumerism. However, I don’t think Canada or the world for that matter, needs another Pierre Trudeau let loose in Ottowa.
If the Gallic world could just apologise for post modernism and Trudeau then I think all should be forgiven. In return, as a sign of good faith, the English-speaking world should apologise for reality television and Britain’s railway system.
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2 comments:
"For example, France has conscription."
No, it doesn't. Universal military service was ended back in 1998.
Thanks, for the update. 1998 is still pretty recent by the standards of most western countries though, so I don't think it detracts too much from my point that France isn't any more pc than other western countries, as a lot US neo-cons seem to imply.
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