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– Abstract

Out of France and especially in Africa, do people perceive France as a declining country ? Does not this idea of decline grow out of French defeatism and masochism ? And how can a positive image be re-established ? In spite of Bush’s administration politics, of French opposition to the war in Iraq and of president Chirac’s initiatives, one can observe a kind of Americanization of the minds, as well as China’s progression. But this attraction towards America also has a French cause : France and French people, who used to be role-models, practice self denegation, defeatism, and shut themselves in their own thoughts. Today, tagging along is very French. How can France regain a positive image ? France needs to overcome its guilt, to reaffirm and defend its action, to join in the battle of ideas again, to preserve its cultural network and to restructure its Universities.

– AFRI 2007 Summary