Posts About France
It's Cyclical, France Will Be Back
France's society and demographic fabric have been changing. This year's elections already show increased voter turnout from first-time voters -- minority and immigrant communities. France may be at the end of a cyclical decline, ready to move into a new era.
Not Decline, But Rupture with the Past
The moment when people start saying that a country is “doomed to decline” is generally a good time to buy its stock. France suffers from a paralysis common to many mature developed countries, but its population may be ready to elect and outsider with the power to change that.
France to Rebound with New Generation
The French want change, and it is change that they fear. But whoever becomes the next president, there will be a generational change.
Segolene Royal Triumphs
Paris, France - Royal won the Socialist party primaries in France. She embodies the contradictions of the French psyche. We think of ourselves as revolutionaries but hate change.
Stop Righteous Religiosity
Paris, France - We have a system which guarantees homosexuals financial and legal rights whilst avoiding the connotations of "marriage".
U.S. Should Be Example of Citizen Rights
There are strong arguments for and against the new law. U.S. law enforcement agencies are actually behind their European counterparts in the scope of eavesdropping on terror suspects. But Europe is not the ideal standard. America should be a shining example of a country that treats citizens' rights as the cornerstone of civil society.
Decline is for Brooding Intellectuals
Decline? What decline? That's an invention by dark-suited French intellectuals. But while we talk of decline, the rest of the French work 35-hour weeks, drink expensive wine and enjoy “la joie de vivre!”
Charlemagne to Duty-Free Champagne
After four years in Iraq, the U.S. seems ready to leave in a hurry, while Britain managed to stay there for decades. Europe remembers war and imperial domination, and has managed to break free. They may have lessons the world could stand to learn.
Soccer and the Quirks of Nations
Italy -- Every twist, turn and bent ankle on the field seems to mirror one national debate, trauma or preoccupation after another. That's the secret of the World Cup's success - each team completely mirrors the outstanding (or even disgusting) characteristics of the nation it represents....
French Kids Are Coming
The Anglo-Saxon market economy is widely regarded as superior to other economic models, including the French, in many ways. But the French system has succeeded in the single most important realm: producing future generations.
Elect a Woman President
It always matters (a bit) who the elected politicians are, as they have the power to shape the future of any country. But they are limited in what they can do by short terms in office -- and in the end, show me one country that isn't doomed.
New Energy at the Ballot Box
France is showing strong commitment to the democratic process, and that process is bearing fruit. This first round of voting has been characterized by many novelties, including high voter turnout and two winners from a new generation of politicians.
PostGlobal Bloggers
M. J. Akbar, New Delhi, India Mubashar Jawed Akbar is a leading Indian journalist and author. He's the founder and editor-in-chief of The Asian Age, a daily multi-edition Indian newspaper with a global perspective and editor-in-chief of The Deccan Chronicle, a news daily based in Hyderabad. He has written books including Blood Brothers, Nehru: The Making of India, Kashmir: Behind the Vale, Riot After Riot, The Shade of Swords, and India: The Siege Within. Kyoko Altman, Hong Kong, China Kyoko Altman is a writer based in Hong Kong. She has worked as a correspondent and anchor for CNN and...
Leadership Matters
Of course it matters how and by whom a country is led. Nothing is predetermined, in France no more than in the U.S. Chirac has played the French game in Europe poorly -- as Bush has throughout the world. But does anybody believe America cannot recover?
