France and the World since 1870

by Keiger, John

• ISBN13: 9780340595077
• ISBN10: 0340595078
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-03
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

Keiger examines the subtle forces that have shaped France's international relations, from material aspects such as geography, demography, and economics, to more abstract features of France's national identity such as the notion of state and the impulse to spread French culture. The first study of its kind in English, the book is divided into thematic chapters that include discussions of how foreign policy is formulated and executed, the nature of strategy and defense, France's allies and adversaries, cultural diplomacy, and an assessment of French espionage. A final chapter examines France's position in the post-Cold War era, its adjustment to the new international system, and the extent to which old mentalities persist or have been resurrected. John F.V. Keiger is Professor of International History and Director of the European Studies Research Institute at the University of Salford, UK, and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Keiger examines the subtle forces that have shaped France's international relations, from material aspects such as geography, demography, and economics, to more abstract features of France's national identity such as the notion of state and the impulse to spread French culture. The first study of its kind in English, the book is divided into thematic chapters that include discussions of how foreign policy is formulated and executed, the nature of strategy and defense, France's allies and adversaries, cultural diplomacy, and an assessment of French espionage. A final chapter examines France's position in the post-Cold War era, its adjustment to the new international system, and the extent to which old mentalities persist or have been resurrected. Keiger examines the subtle forces that have shaped France's international relations, from material aspects such as geography, demography, and economics, to more abstract features of France's national identity such as the notion of state and the impulse to spread French culture. The first study of its kind in English, the book is divided into thematic chapters that include discussions of how foreign policy is formulated and executed, the nature of strategy and defense, France's allies and adversaries, cultural diplomacy, and an assessment of French espionage. A final chapter examines France's position in the post-Cold War era, its adjustment to the new international system, and the extent to which old mentalities persist or have been resurrected. "An engaging read."H-Net Reviewsin the Humanities and Social Science

Author Biography

John F.V. Keiger is Professor of International History and Director of the European Studies Research Institute at the University of Salford, UK, and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Table of Contents

General editor's preface	vii
Acknowledgements	ix
Introduction	1	(5)
Determinants of France's relations with the world	6	(19)
Foreign policy formulation and execution: From Quai d'Orsay to Elysee	25	(23)
Strategy and defence	48	(32)
French intelligence	80	(30)
Germany	110	(50)
The Anglo-Saxons	160	(26)
Russia	186	(14)
Empire	200	(15)
The post-cold war era	215	(20)
Conclusion	235	(5)
Bibliography	240	(7)
Index	247