A certain idea of France : French security policy and the Gaullist legacy / Philip H. Gordon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gordon, Philip H., 1962-

Series:

Princeton studies in international history and politics.

Princeton studies in international history and politics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gaulle, Charles de, 1890-1970--Influence.

Gaulle, Charles de.

Gaulle, Charles de, 1890-1970--Military leadership.

Cold War.

France--Foreign relations--1945-.

France.

France--Military policy.

France--Relations--Europe.

Europe--Relations--France.

Europe.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (284 pages)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, c1993.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

As France begins to confront the new challenges of the post-Cold War era, the time has come to examine how French security policy has evolved since Charles de Gaulle set it on an independent course in the 1960's. Philip Gordon shows that the Gaullist model, contrary to widely held beliefs, has lived on--but that its inherent inconsistencies have grown more acute with increasing European unification, the diminishing American military role in Europe, and related strains on French military budgets. The question today is whether the Gaullist legacy will enable a strong and confident France to play a full role in Europe's new security arrangements or whether France, because of its will to independence, is destined to play an isolated, national role.Gordon analyzes military doctrines, strategies, and budgets from the 1960's to the 1990's, and also the evolution of French policy from the early debates about NATO and the European Community to the Persian Gulf War. He reveals how and why Gaullist ideas have for so long influenced French security policy and examines possible new directions for France in an increasingly united but potentially unstable Europe.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

List of Tables

Preface

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

PART ONE: THE GAULLIST YEARS

Chapter One. Perspectives on de Gaulle

Chapter Two. The Missing Pillar: France's Role in the Defense of Europe in the 1950's and 1960's

Chapter Three. Manipulating Ambiguity: Military Doctrines under de Gaulle and Pompidou

PART TWO: STRUGGLING TO ADAPT

Chapter Four. Giscard's Balancing Act, 1974-1981

Chapter Five. Mitterrand's Adaptations, 1981-1986

Chapter Six. Tensions in the Consensus, 1986-1989

PART THREE: FRANCE IN THE NEW EUROPE

Chapter Seven. The Gaullist Legacy Today: French Security Policy in the 1990's

Chapter Eight. Epilogue: The Gaullist Legacy and the Post-Cold War World

Notes

Glossary of French Terms Used

Selected Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [237]-250) and index.

ISBN:

9786612751691

9781400802913

1400802911

9781282751699

1282751697

9781400820917

140082091X

9781400811809

1400811805

OCLC:

700688592