France Is America and America Is France

Something has just occurred to me about the nature of the French Republic and that of the American Republic. They seem to be very, very similiar in their ethos. This strikes as fascinating because many Americans, American Francophiles and Frenchmen can remember when hating France was the popular thing to do in the United States. From mocking it's military history to naming French Fries, "Freedom Fries" the toxic relation between Bush and Jacques Chirac became Nationalist fodder, especially for the Fox News crowd within the United States. I wonder what's the French equivalent? Whatever Jean-Marie Le Pen happens to watch in Brittany I suppose. Let's take a look at the United States and France.

The United States was forged from wars against the tyranny Britain to be an independant nation of rugged individualism for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness against the threats of British Imperialism and the Natives. American ingenuity and good luck forged a global empire which is the most powerful nation which has ever existed following victory in the Second World War.

Modern France was forged from revolutionary wars against the tyranny of the Bourbons to be an independant nation for liberty, fraternity and equality against the threats of Britain, Austria, Prussia and a whole bunch of European nations whom it deemed as "despotic savages". French elan and shrewdness formed a global empire which collapsed following the Second World War.

You want more evidence of the similarity?

French always try and pin themselves to be anti-globalist and anti-American and pro-French when their policies and economy (not to mention the zest of the nation seems to be pseudo-American or very French; more on this further down). French business is good business for Europe. The Fifth French Republic has a bigger economy than the UK and when coupled with that of Germany it forms the Economic Heart of Europe just like how the United States and Canada are the economic heart of North America. (Interesting considering how the US and France has invaded both Germany and Canada. Not to mention their other neighbours). If French trailer trash had a main shopping destination it'd be Carrefour, the second biggest retailer in the world after Wal-Mart and they'd probably eat at McDonald's too considering that the McDonald's franchise in France is one of the most profitable in the World. Both Carrefour and Wal-Mart have been accused of undermining Capitalism, such is hypershopping.

The rhetorical nonsense that both nations spew is nearly identical. Both view themselves as a beacon to civilization and view their accomplisments whether it be in the arts or in technology as the ultimate contribution to humanity. To paraphrase a certain French foreign minister "Both France and the United States in the face of history before mankind". I guess fighting Muslims whether they be in Algeria or Iraq pays.

Look at the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and then take a look at parts of Lebanon, Senegal and French Polynesia. Both have left their colonial markings. It seems that burgers and croissants do fill bellies just as easily as anything else.

Comparisons aside, the national psyche of both these nations comes off as arrogant. To the point annoyance, which is why it's extremely humourous to hear diplomatic shouting matches from Paris and Washington. If the United States is France, then what lessons can it gleem from the Fifth French Republic. After all, both were at the apex of power (and third largest population behind the same two nations who are number one and two today). The United States could learn to avoid messy revolutions, class warfare and wars against a perceived national enemy whom you could squeeze money out of rather then squeeze blood and your own national treasure in the process. The United States could learn that sometimes giving up is the best thing to do when a future Chinese Army of 1 million troops lands on the Western Seabord, or if you're fighting a protracted war in Iran for nearly 20 years (my future scenarios sounds awful don't they?). Realizing that if you're a Super or Hyperpower now, it's most likely you're still going to be a "Power" 200 years from now is a good step in the right direction.

Hopefully, the United States of America concentrates on it's current Republic. Five seems too many.