Comments on: Sarkozy’s “policy of civilization” http://blog.gmfus.org/2008/01/08/sarkozys-policy-of-civilization/ Strengthening Transatlantic Cooperation Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:23:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Amaya Bloch-LainĂ© http://blog.gmfus.org/2008/01/08/sarkozys-policy-of-civilization/#comment-9044 Amaya Bloch-LainĂ© Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:42:20 +0000 http://blog.gmfus.org/2008/01/08/sarkozys-policy-of-civilization/#comment-9044 I agree; but it seems to me that French past history as well as the very strong role of the State in this country (which is actually receeding right now) make France and its citizens more vulnerable to this attitude of "blame or praise" political leaders. The other thing is that being so obsessed with leadership, French society does not find the energy and strenght in itself to be creative and innovative, and to develop itself without caring too much about politics. I agree; but it seems to me that French past history as well as the very strong role of the State in this country (which is actually receeding right now) make France and its citizens more vulnerable to this attitude of “blame or praise” political leaders. The other thing is that being so obsessed with leadership, French society does not find the energy and strenght in itself to be creative and innovative, and to develop itself without caring too much about politics.

]]> By: Kyle Atwell http://blog.gmfus.org/2008/01/08/sarkozys-policy-of-civilization/#comment-9021 Kyle Atwell Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:57:14 +0000 http://blog.gmfus.org/2008/01/08/sarkozys-policy-of-civilization/#comment-9021 "One could ask why do the French expect so much from the President and the government, and if it is fair and realistic to put the blame on Sarkozy after only 7 months in power, in such a difficult and out of control international context." It seems to me that presidents are always given more blam (or praise) than they are truly accountable for. I do not think this is a phenomenom exclusive to Sarkozy or even France. In the United States the president takes the blame if the economy is down and gets credit if the economy is up, when realistically there are so many exogenous forces and several actors involved, as well as natural fluctuations in the economy, that it is preposterous to really think one man (or perhaps woman someday soon) should be given complete credit or blame when the stock market drops a few points. “One could ask why do the French expect so much from the President and the government, and if it is fair and realistic to put the blame on Sarkozy after only 7 months in power, in such a difficult and out of control international context.”

It seems to me that presidents are always given more blam (or praise) than they are truly accountable for. I do not think this is a phenomenom exclusive to Sarkozy or even France.

In the United States the president takes the blame if the economy is down and gets credit if the economy is up, when realistically there are so many exogenous forces and several actors involved, as well as natural fluctuations in the economy, that it is preposterous to really think one man (or perhaps woman someday soon) should be given complete credit or blame when the stock market drops a few points.

]]>