mardi, 06 mars 2007
NICOLAS SARKOZY, THE REACTIONARY EUROPEAN
It is extremely unfortunate that Nicolas Sarkozy’ speech about the European Union in Strasbourg went almost unnoticed. Indeed, few have analysed a speech that nevertheless reveals a candidate which seems to be attached to values of the past. The style of the speech itself; a laborious lyricism seems to come out of a Roneo de Gaulle’ 1950s party. Nicolas Sarkozy constantly repeats “I want, I want” as if France was still the head teacher of the ECSC who could give orders to all the pupils member states by a single snap of the fingers.
However, the speech starts to derail quite quickly. Indeed, Sarkozy suddenly evokes the European conscience “which comes from civilization, which comes from religion.” This discourse sound more of the traditional right-wing of the right-wing French politicians and not of the one who tries to bring together the traditional secular conservatives. The speech borrows lots of platitudes from Samuel Huntington about the “clash of civilizations.” In his quest of defending the European civilization, Nicolas Sarkozy does not hesitate to use tautological expression such as “Europe has always been a common civilization to all Europeans.” The “civilization” is so central to Sarkozy’ discourse that the rejection of the European Constitution by the Dutch and the French was a symptom of this civilization’ crisis. Isn’t that what we call “stretching the line a bit”? Moreover, the concept of civilization is a very vague one and it is hard to know where it starts or where it precisely ends. But it reassures some voters who might feel that their identities have been protected. Civilization is at the center of everything in Sarkozy’ speech but it is particularly striking within his proposal of having a new pact between Europe and the Mediterranean. For example, Nicolas Sarkozy reflects on the idea that the:
“European dream needs the Mediterranean dream. This dream was tightened when was broken the dream that used to send the knights on all the roads of the Western and Eastern world, that dream that brought to the South so many emperors of the Saint-Empire and so many kings of France, this dream which was the dream of Bonaparte in Egypte (…) This dream which was not only a dream of conquest but a dream of civilization.”
It might be a good idea to create on top of the existing Euro-Mediterranean partnership a new pact between the EU and the Mediterranean countries. However, it might proved to be hard sell to the Mediterranean people if the justification is to resuscitate the positive civilization spirit that was created by the crusades.
Not only, Nicolas Sarkozy appears nostalgic of a mythic European domination over the world but the presidential candidate has an economic vision which straights out the ark. We can indeed note the numerous remarks of workers “who have a special relationship with work” and farmers “who have a special relationship (…) with the earth.” Nicolas has such a special relationship with the service industry that this sector is completely absent from his speech. Hence, Nicolas Sarkozy’ nostalgic dream wants to recreate daddy’s Europe where the new factories are decided in the ministries’ offices. It can only be an illusion but that might be paid back by the electoral.
Other elements are surprising, for example Nicolas Sarkozy declares that “from 25 years it is said that there only one policy possible, only one school of thought, only one Europe possible.” Ok, but what happened in 1982 which was so bad for the EC? It already became a classic, but according to Sarkozy, the problem – on top of the civilization – is the euro. The candidate-of-competency analyses that “When the world economy experiences an economic growth which has no precedent; the eurozone alternates long stagnation periods with short periods of growth which look like flash in the pan.” It is naturally wrong: all the eurozone experience economic growth apart from France which seems to be stuck when Sarkozy’ party is in power. So as to increase economic growth, Nicolas Sarkozy proposes to harmonize fiscal policies within the EU. It could be welcomed if Nicolas Sarkozy tells us what is his plan to convince partners who, in a large majority, are fiercely against any move in this direction.
What are the solutions that Sarkozy proposes to resume with the ideal of the founding fathers? Not much. On the CAP; Nicolas Sarkozy wants that the goal of the policy is to “guarantee the alimentary independence of the EU.” Err, the alimentary independence having been attained a little while a go, is the alimentary independence of the EU really under threat? For the rest, it is very vague and we can find many proposals which have been reproduced from the Bruxelles speech back in September 2006.
The most disturbing part in this speech is to observe the gap between the traditional Sarkoziste’ discourse based on the “rupture” and this speech where the presidential candidate seems to want to be more Gaullist than de Gaulle. Moreover, the myth of a civilizing Europe seems to have been resuscitated so as to seduce the most right-wing elements of the French political spectrum. One can doubt over the success of this strategy: indeed, the level of europhobia of these guys is so high that they could be considered as lost causes. However, while doing so many winks to the right-wing, Sarkozy might loose the center-conservatives who are currently supporting en masse François Bayrou, the dark horse of this election. Nicolas Sarkozy’ speech is not a speech about “rupture”, it is a backward looking speech which wants to sort out the crisis with methods of the past. Nicolas Sarkozy can only see a “French-Europe” and not a “European-Europe.” Hence, this is a reactionary vision which is poles apart form the Sarkozyste’ discourse on “rupture.”
Thomas Lefebvre is a PhD Student at the Queen’s University of Belfast
11:28 Publié dans ENGLISH EDITION, POLITIQUE, THOMAS LEFEBVRE | Lien permanent | Commentaires (6) | Envoyer cette note | Tags : europe, france, politics, elections, thomas lefebvre, europeus.org
Commentaires
That is the reason why Sarkosy will never be president.
Ecrit par : leiktulturevolution | mardi, 06 mars 2007
Sarkozy might be elected as a president. But what you wrote highlights why he should not be the president.
What Sarkozy says contradicts with my reading of history of the European Union. Talking about the founding fathers of the EU is not enough, one should also understand what they wanted to achieve.
It is a good idea to engage with the Mediterranean and the neighbourhood more intensively. However, not with that attitude, please!! Sarkozy’s dream and discourse ring the alarm bells for the future of Europe. If this is the dream, it is pretty clear for me that it is not a bright one. Actually, it sounds like a nightmare. No wonder some opponents of Turkey link Ottoman siege of Vienna with Turkish accession to the EU. Sarkozy’s words show that the dreams of Bonaparte and that kind of dreams of conquest are alive in his mindset. Does this kind of talk help normative and soft power of the EU that many European officials are proud of? And why Sarkozy needs to talk about dreams of Bonaparte and or why Boris Johnson needs to talk about the dreams of Rome? History is important and indeed we should take lessons. But the EU has always been about future. I am sure we have enough to say about our dreams just by looking at what is going on in the world today. [Sarkozy should forgive me, I say ‘we’. As a Turk born in ‘Asian’ side of Turkey, I guess I do not qualify to say so. Anyways, I also think Sarkozy is not European!].
Hopefully somebody will strongly advise Sarkozy soon not to use the words ‘civilization’ and ‘Christian’ all the time. He does the same thing when he talks about Turkey. Without a doubt, this kind of talk does not help reformists in the region. On the contrary, it helps anti-EU/West groups to construct the image they so badly want and need to present. Actually, I should not make a fool of myself. The reality already strengthens the hands of anti-EU/West groups. Better wording: What Sarkozy says does not help to improve perception of Europe in the region. So if Sarkozy becomes the president and continues to talk along the same lines, he will manage to isolate French Muslims, harbour anti-Turkish feelings among French, anti-French feelings among Turks and strengthen the hands of anti-EU/West forces in Turkey and Middle Eastern countries who talk about Christian and imperialist Europe. What a vision!
I think French politicians should listen to what Commissioner Barrot told this week to FT: ‘French presidential candidates risk missing the chance to shake their country out of its "arrogant" and isolated position in Europe, by failing to map out a positive future for it in the European Union’.
Rejection of the Constitution is a reflection of the civilization crisis??? That’s what no camp argued all the time and now it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Several surveys published on this and as far as I know ‘civilization crisis’ [whatever this is] did not top the results.
‘Europe has always been a common civilization to all Europeans’. We are there again. European Studies 101. What is Europe? Who is European? Can we talk about European civilization without referring to non-‘European’ sources? You might have different answers to first and second questions. The answer of the last question is definitely: NO.
Looking at the speeches of current EU politicians and the political climate in the EU, I guess we have a long way to go for ‘European-Europe’. The dream of European-Europe is waiting for its leaders who will not play the game of populist politics. Clearly, Sarkozy is not a good candidate for my dream.
Ecrit par : Erhan Icener | jeudi, 08 mars 2007
Hi Erhan,
I cannot agree more with what you have just written. I am not sure that Monnet/Adenauer/Spaak were dreaming of a rebirth of the mythic "civilization Europe." Frankly, it sounds more like a hijack of the "founding fathers" than of a proper intellectual and pragmatic reflection.
Moreover, I still do not see the point of reopening the debate on "civilization", Turkey which-does-not-belong-coz-not-Christian at a time where these issues are out of the debate (maybe it is but I might have missed it.) What is he trying to do? To shift the debate? Maybe he really thinks in this reactionary fashion. Maybe the real Sarkozy is more the one who says the Strasbourg' speech than the one of the Brussels speech (mini-treaty proposal well received all over the EU.)
You're right about the fact that this discourse on crusades might deter French Muslims to vote for him. On the other hand - and I say it frankly - I am not a specialist of it but Sarkozy seems to have managed to create an official "French Islam" by setting up a special Muslim Council. But, at a time that Sarkozy is suffering of such a deficit of popularity (to say it mildly) among the youth who have a North-African backgrounds, Sarkozy is not going to gain their sympathy with such declarations. However, as I said in the introduction, given the fact that the speech went almost unnoticed I suspect that it would not had made that much damages.
But I really get what you say about the growth of Euroscepticism in Turkey and Sarkozy and others might be well advised to oppose Turkey in the EU not on a ground of civilization but on criteria that can be rationally negotiated (Copenhagen?) That would make the French a wee bit smarter.
I might take a constructivist take on civilization: civilizations do not exist; it is just the perception of belonging to one that is constructed. How does Sarkozy define civilization? Be really curious to know.
Hey, why do you think Sarkozy is not European?
I read what Barrot said in the FT and it is ironic to hear that from someone who speaks French only (which drives completely nuts the other Commissioners) and was chosen not for his competency but because he helped Chirac during a political campaign (and this nepotism is so arrogant French). Anyway, that was wise from him and I also read positive statements from him about Northern-Ireland as well.
Ecrit par : Thomas Lefebvre | jeudi, 08 mars 2007
NICOLAS SARKOZY SHOULD READ OUR CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, BEFORE HE ASSOCIATE ONE MORE TIME IMMIGRATION AND IDENTITY:
Chapter III - Equality
Article 20
Equality before the law
Everyone is equal before the law.
Article 21
Non-discrimination
1. Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.
2. Within the scope of application of the Treaty establishing the European Community and of the Treaty on European Union, and without prejudice to the special provisions of those Treaties, any discrimination on grounds of nationality shall be prohibited.
Article 22
Cultural, religious and linguistic diversity
The Union shall respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.
Ecrit par : unionsbuerger.de | samedi, 10 mars 2007
En meeting à Caen le vendredi 9 mars 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy a appelé les Français à être fiers de leur nation. Il a notamment expliqué que la France n’avait jamais commis de crimes contre l’humanité, à la différence d’autres pays européens. Sans la citer, il s’en est directement pris à l’Allemagne, ressuscitant une germanophobie bien mal venue l’année du cinquantenaire du Traité de Rome :
SARKO DANS LE TEXTE:
"Nous avons tout lieu d’être fiers de notre pays, de son histoire, de ce qu’il a incarné, de ce qu’il incarne encore aux yeux du monde. Car la France n’a jamais cédé à la tentation totalitaire. Elle n’a jamais exterminé un peuple. Elle n’a pas inventé la solution finale, elle n’a pas commis de crime contre l’humanité, ni de génocide."
Ecrit par : ANTISARKO | samedi, 10 mars 2007
SARKOZY is ....
http://www.eurotrib.com/story/2007/3/10/92418/1100
Ecrit par : unionsbuerger.de | lundi, 12 mars 2007
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