Mitterrand's Foreign Policy: The Limits of Continuity Dominique Moisi From Foreign Affairs Winter 1981/2 Article preview: first 500 of 4,017 words total. Summary: Under Charles de Gaulle, French foreign policy as seen from Washington had a ?nuisance value? at a time when France?s domestic choices were much more in tune with those of her allies and neighbors. Under François Mitterrand, the radical nature of the domestic changes in France (e.g., nationalization of major industries and banks, decentralization of the administration of the country) have virtually changed French foreign policy into a reassuring value. At a time when pacifism is sweeping Northern Europe, and the Federal Republic of Germany in particular, France, with her firmness vis-à -vis the Soviet Union, her nuclear striking force, her strong defense budget and weak pacifist movement, seems an oasis of continuity. Dominique Moïsi is Associate Professor at the University of Paris X, and Assistant Director of the Institut Français des Relations Internationales (IFRI), Paris. Topics: Europe National Security and Defense Driving the Soviets Up the Wall: Soviet-East German Relations, 1953-1961 | |
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