Reconcilble Differences: US-French Relations in the New Era by Brenner, Michael / Parmentier, Guillaume Brenner, Michael / Parmentier, Guillaume

From the Publisher

The U.S.-French relationship is unique in mixing elements of rivalry and cooperation. Historical allies and comrades in arms, the United States and France are often fractious and quarrelsome. Their promotion of competing visions for a post-Cold War Europe gives a sharp edge to disputes over security and trade issues. Yet their mutual interests as partners in multiple collective enterprises compel them to find ways to put their relations on a surer footing. Doing so is also the key to meeting the larger challenge of reconciling America's dominance as the global superpower with the aspirations of a strengthening European Union. The authors of this study examine how national identity, political culture, and diplomatic style strain ties between Washington and Paris. They prescribe a set of policy and procedural remedies and lay out a strategy for sustaining more constructive collaboration.

About the Author:
Michael Brenner is professor of International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh and distinguished visiting fellow at the National Defense University. Guillaume Parmentier is head of the French Center on the United States at the Institut Français des Relations Internationales in Paris and professor at the University of Paris II.

Foreign Affairs

Despite its title, this book's action occurs largely in Brussels rather than in Washington or Paris. The approach works, since postwar U.S. and French governments have largely engaged each other through their Western alliance rather than through bilateral channels. This history is well established but has not featured as prominently in previous discussions as it does in this volume, and Brenner and Parmentier chart new territory in their analysis of its consequences for the future. Indeed, they make a convincing case that the Washington-Paris-Brussels triangle could prove the ultimate savior of the perennially troubled relations between these two partners. By embedding its interests within a common European position, France carves out greater space for itself to act independently of U.S. influence, creating "disincentives for the United States to attack Paris-based initiatives." In return, however, Paris must use its strong position within Europe to help promote the U.S. interest in having "an EU that is an open, constructive partner." The section on NATO is particularly strong. The authors harshly criticize U.S. and French policymakers (while not absolving their alliance partners) for a string of "missed opportunities" to give the alliance a post-Cold War purpose and structure. Readers may be frustrated, however, with the somewhat confused policy recommendations in the final chapter. The authors contradict themselves by first advocating "a bilateral relationship clear in purpose and consistent in method," and in the next breath arguing that "collaboration on a case-by-case" basis would be preferable to a "routinized partnership." But such a quibble hardly detracts from the value of thisdetailed, nuanced, and innovative work.

Booknews

Exploring the increasingly fractious diplomatic relations between the United States and France, Brenner (international affairs, U. of Pittsburgh, U.S.) and Parmentier (Institut Francais Internationales, France) address the U.S. foreign policy community in attempting to elucidate the reasons for conflict. Their analysis concentrates on the aspirations and contradictions of French foreign policy and U.S. reaction to it. They suggest that France has a vision of a multi-polar world that is threatened by U.S. tendencies towards unilateralism and that respective views of the purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are often at odds. They also examine economic rivalries and argue that all that is needed to repair relationships is more dialogue. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents