Studies On Sarkozy’s Foreign Policy

Under the age of globalization, the direction of the multi-polar world is an irresistible trend; the international political and economic structure and international security situation under this trend constitute an international context of Sarkozy’s foreign policy. Global financial crisis and economic crisis (including follow-up of the European debt crisis) further changed the international political and economic situation. After the economic crisis, Sarkozy’s foreign policy is more inclined to realism.During Sarkozy’s presidency, the French domestic situation is grim. the "three high and one low" situation:High deficits, high deficit, high unemployment, low growth rate remains the main macroeconomic features of the French, coupled with the economic crisis, the French economy diehard; the serious confrontation on the reforms the between public and the government, prominent immigration of French society, the frequent occurrence of social crisis (strikes, riots). The adverse situation on the domestic situation poses constraints on Sarkozy’s "great power ambitions" diplomatic ambitions.Shortly since Sarkozy became president, a new word-"Sarkozysme" became popular in the European media. The French magazine named "view" said, as the helm as the Pompidou, as active and warm as Valery Giscard d’Estaing, more lively than Charles de Gaulle, a bit more hard work than Mitterrand, more decisive than Chirac, which is "Sarkozysm ". Many times, for the Medias, "Sarkozysm" refers specifically to Sarkozy’s diplomatic style, but not just a political.trend and style changes, "Sarkozysm "contains a wealth of substance. Reference to the definition of Gaullism of Zhou Rongyao "Gaullism means the foreign policy thinking and practice that Charles de Gaulle is striving to safeguard national independence and state sovereignty, for the restoration of great power status of France’s.", Then "Sarkozysm" can be defined as "the foreign policy thinking and practice in pursuit of independence France’s great power status under Sarkozy era".We can see a style of voluntarism and realism on Sarkozy, he is not only a man with a strong will, but also a realist. Seen from the role and significance in practice of sarkozysm, we can find that sarkozysm is the paradox of voluntarism and realism. it is the "view of the world" and "Methodology" of Sarkozy’s diplomacy. The two characteristics have a seemingly contradictory, but in fact the dialectical relationship between. They all served and harmonized to national interests in maintaining the fundamental objective of France; the contradictions between them get a consistent in maximizing the national interest and in pursuing of great-power status in France, it conforms to the realistic behavior logic. As a "world view" and "Methodology" of sarkozy’s foreign policy, "Sarkozysm" fully reflected in Sarkozy’s diplomatic practice, diplomatic philosophy and diplomatic style on several aspects. Firstly, Sarkozy’s ideas of "relative power of and the will of "the grandeur of France", is his objective understanding of the world situation and the subjective views of the French position in the world, which reflects Sarkozy’s "world view" based on the reality and his strong will of "great power ambitions"; and achieve the unity of "realism" and "voluntarist" based on "epistemology" and "world view". Secondly, in diplomatic ways and methods, Sarkozy demonstrated a rational approach and pragmatic realism style in dealing with international affairs, he shows the image of tough and resolute will in the course of action, (striving to demonstrate the grandeur of France and a powerful ability as leader).Since Sarkozy was elected France’s new president, he is determined to "influential foreign" reinventing the French status in Europe and the world’s great power and he has taken a series of pro-active foreign policy so as to realize this goal. For example:asking all the EU member states to pass and eventually signed "Lisbon Treaty" to promote the European integration process, promoting the Mediterranean Union plan to enhance French influence in the Middle East and North Africa; improving French-American relations and achieving full return to NATO; implementing actively the "summit diplomacy", advocating financial regulation and global economic governance; looking for multi-support to constructed a new international economic order under G20, and so on. Sarkozy is very active on the international stage, despite the many controversies, it can be said mixed, but it brought a new situation for the French Foreign Affairs, it is obvious that his foreign policy philosophy and practice has brought the profound impact on today’s French diplomacy. Compared to the same period of the new generation of leaders of other countries, Sarkozy’s diplomatic abilities and diplomatic achievements are worthy of recognition.Taking a neutral observer’s position, we advocated a dialectical view of Sarkozy’s foreign policy and practice, we must see the "Beyond" and the positive side, but also see its shortcomings and negative side. Compared to the leaders of the new generation in the same period at other countries, Sarkozy’s diplomatic abilities and diplomatic achievements are worthy of recognition. For example:asking all the EU member states to pass and eventually signed "Lisbon Treaty" to promote the European integration process, promoting the Mediterranean Union plan to enhance French influence in the Middle East and North Africa; improving French-American relations and achieving full return to NATO; implementing actively the "summit diplomacy", advocating financial regulation and global economic governance; looking for multi-support to constructed a new international economic order under G20, and so on. In the principle of realism, Sarkozy shows flexibility in the implementation of balanced foreign policy between the major powers, during Sarkozy’s era, the relations are enhanced between France and the world’s major powers; the French influence in the strategic region is strengthened. The French-American relations is improved and the Franco-German core is consolidated, the military cooperation with Britain is strengthened, relations between France and Russia are improved, a comprehensive strategic partnership is established with China, a new cooperation with Africa partnerships is established after the new adjustment policy on Africa, a strategic adjustment is realized with the Middle East so that the peace process in the Middle East played a great on French’s influence. Economic diplomacy is very important part to Sarkozy’s foreign policy, Sarkozy’s economic diplomacy can be summed up in two ways:First, "foreign order", second, "summit diplomacy." With the use of economic diplomacy, the French access to economic, political, security and other multiple benefits.This article discusses a series of significant adjustments in international politics and its practical application realized by sarkozy, revealing the French strategic intent of the current diplomatic situation and the aim of French diplomacy in general to grasp the orientation of French Foreign Policy and provide some reasonable proposals to the development of Sino-French relations. Through research, we try to answer the following questions:First, Does Sarkozysm exist? For which signification if it exists? Sarkozysm has which characteristics and substance? Second, Sarkozy’s foreign policy made which substantive changes, which consequence of his policy implementation and which impact on the prospects at the international level? Third, the debate on rupture or succession, Sarkozy inherited or breaks with Gaullism? Are there any breaks or inheritances on foreign policy between Sarkozy and Chirac? Fourth, based on knowledge of French diplomacy, we do a prevision on the orientation of French foreign policy, and give some recommendations on the development of Sino-French relations?The order of this thesis:the background inside and outside→the diplomatic philosophy and style of diplomacy (Sarkozysme)→foreign policy and practice→analysis, discussion and evaluation on Sarkozy’s foreign policy. The first task is to analyze and master it’s background and factors, which constitutes the first chapter; In the second chapter, "Sarkozysm", including Nicolas Sarkozy’s diplomatic philosophy, diplomatic practice and style, etc., "Sarkozysm" is a controversial topic, but also the focus of this thesis, in this chapiter, we will talk about the policy-makers (Sarkozy), his individual factors and decision-making bodies such as political advocates to summarize and analyze the "independent diplomacy and great power status," the Foreign spindle and core objectives; Nicolas Sarkozy’s foreign policy and diplomatic practice is the core part of this paper, in the chapterⅢ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ, we will discuss respectively, from the diplomatic practice, relations among major powers to regional policy, and economic diplomacy. In ChapterⅥis the conclusion of this thesis, firstly, we summarized sarkozysm, and deeply analyses Sarkozy’s voluntarism and realism. Secondly, we comment, analysis the Sarkozysm with the Gaullism, Chiraquism and finally give an answer to the question "inherited or break?" in Sarkozy’s foreign policy.