The Mediterranean Region in French External Relations: Historico-Cultural Background and Security Culture

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Other Title
  • フランスの対外政策における地中海の存在意義
  • フランスの対外政策における地中海の存在意義 : 歴史的文化的背景と安全保障文化
  • フランス ノ タイガイ セイサク ニ オケル チチュウカイ ノ ソンザイ イギ : レキシテキ ブンカテキ ハイケイ ト アンゼン ホショウ ブンカ
  • 歴史的文化的背景と安全保障文化

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Abstract

In recent French external relations, not only Europe but the Mediterranean region has also been attached with great importance. Its background can be found through geopolitical reasons, historico-cultural reasons, and global strategic reasons; however, how can we recognize characteristics of the French security policy in the Mediterranean region? This article attempts to clarify these characteristics through analyzing French security policy in this region from the viewpoint of the study of security culture.<br>French national security culture is analyzed in this article from three viewpoints: 1) an external view of the world's environment, 2) in terms of instrumental preferences for security maintenance, and 3) in terms of interaction preferences with other states. For the first point, though the foundation has carried the perspective of realism since de Gaulle, it can be also confirmed that in the multi-polar world, securitization has developed wherein non-state actors have become a target of security. The second point refers to the preference of preventive diplomacy and peace building through non-military means which is increasingly taken into focus. However as the exercise of military force is still considered superior in the protection of citizens, there is a continuing clash between the use of military means and the use of non-military means. For the third point, the French preference is to criticize unilateralism, while having the highest regard for security actions based on multilateralism.<br>The manifestation of French security culture in the Mediterranean region can be confirmed with the above stated orientation. Gradually raising the awareness of the importance of regional security in the Mediterranean, successive presidents of the Fifth Republic not only have securitized various sectors involved in the transformation of the entire international community, but also have put importance on regional stability through international institutionalization based on multilateralism, thereby strengthening the orientation to ensure the safety of France. Concrete manifestation of their security activities can be understood through the non-military means of strengthening cooperation with southern Mediterranean countries, through the military reform in France based on the changing situation around its Mediterranean neighbours, the development of regional security mission of European Union CSDP, while taking advantage of the Union for the Mediterranean that was launched in 2008, and through verifying how France has exhibited its leadership. In the Mediterranean region, France is promoting multilateralism based on international institutionalization in terms of all aspects ranging from the military to non-military aspects, which promotes the strengthening of France's political leadership.<br>In the external policy of France in the Mediterranean region, although the realistic Gaullist attitude is still deeply rooted in the foundation, the French have gradually come to focus more on realistic political responses focusing on non-military means in adapting to the changing era of security, while utilizing a multilateral concept of framework of international relations which also supports this kind of political orientation.

Journal

  • International Relations

    International Relations 2012 (167), 167_102-115, 2012

    JAPAN ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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