French Arrogance
Publisher
:
Editions Balland
Parution date
:
2003
EAN
:
9782715814554
Description
When California winemaker Robert Mondavi traveled to Southwestern France to realize his dream of opening a branch of his famous winery there, he did not anticipate the lengths to which local vintners would go in order to fight him. To these Frenchmen, Mondavi represented American encroachment upon their traditions and territory – and the French, the authors are quick to point out, cannot tolerate not being at the epicenter of the world economy. While some may view this as another act – like Jose Bové’s – of small-town agricultural heroism in the face of mass globalization, the authors argue that the Frenchmen ended up sabotaging their own best interests. To this day, they explain, the land remains unused and the village economy depressed. In another notable incident, President Jacques Chirac bestowed Aung Sam Suu Kyi, Burmese human rights activist and 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner, with the prestigious Marianne award in a public gesture of support. Behind the scenes, however, (and with unabashed hypocrisy) Chirac condoned the use of forced labor to further France’s oil-interests in Burma. France’s role in the war on Afghanistan; their handling of the Banque de France scandal; the nature of their relationship with Africa; all these and many more examples illustrate the author’s sharp analysis of what they see as a deep-seated arrogance that is detrimental to the country’s future.
Author
Emmanuel Saint-Martin : Emmanuel Saint-Martin is a journalist for Le Point.
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