This book investigates how modern French foreign policy is practiced. France finds its
traditional power status challenged by internal as well as external developments. Internally
it faces societal challenges related to unemployment integration social exclusion Islamist
terrorism and the rise of populism. Externally its status is challenged by global and regional
developments - including the financial crises competition from emerging states EU enlargement
and a more powerful Germany. While the French recognise that they no longer have great-power
economic or military power capacities the conviction of the universal value of French
civilization and culture remains strong. As this book argues for France to be able to punch
above its weight in international politics it must effectively promote the value of 'French
universalism' and culture. This study investigates how this is reflected in modern French
foreign policy by examining foreign policy practices towards selected regions countries and in
relation to external and internal security. Written by a senior researcher specializing in
French and EU foreign and security policy this book will be an invaluable resource for
practitioners of foreign policy and students of French politics international relations and
European studies.
