An Analysis On Chirac Government's Policy On European Union

The relationship between France and EU is one of most major issues in French postwar political life.The EU policy is the core to France's diplomacy.France has played a leading role and always spared no efforts to carry forward European integration.After cold war,with the disintegration of the Soviet Union,the end of the bi-polar pattern and the reunion of Germany,France' diplomatic environment has changed tremendously.Consequently,adjusting to the changed situations,Jacques Chirac revised France's diplomacy significantly and thus opened up a new epoch. Chirac' diplomacy was heavily influenced by Gaullism,nevertheless,it is neither similar to De Gaulle' pure political diplomacy nor Mitterrand' Human rights diplomacy.Instead,it is a new Chirac Doctrine featured flexibility and pragmatism. During Chirac' 12 years in Elys(?)e Palace,this diplomatic character has melted into his EU policy and has a profound impact on European integration process.This thesis tries to analyze the characteristics,motivations and specific behaviors of Chirac'EU policy.This thesis is mainly composed of four chapters.The first chapter illustrated the hardcore status of France in the process of European integration. France hopes to restore its glories and major power status through European economic and political integration.The second chapter focused on the causes of Chirac' EU policy adjustment,both from home and abroad.And analyzed the core and features of Chirac' EU policy.The third chapter manifested the features of Chirac' EU policy through four typical cases,which is the relationship between France and Germany, return to NATO to promote Europe independent defense system,upholding European eastward enlargement and the adjustment of the policies toward U.S.A.The forth chapter compared Chirac' EU policy with predecessor Mitterrand's and successor Sarkozy's hoping to demonstrate the uniqueness of Chirac' diplomatic style.