Review by Choice Review
In this erudite study examining Franco-American relationships in the 1980s-90s on foreign policy, economics, and popular culture, Kuisel (Georgetown) shows that US domestic and foreign policies were a deterrent to France's national identity. The French response was anti-Americanism, but not against Americans. France perceived the US as a "hyperpower" that promoted cultural/economic imperialism; Disney, McDonald's, and Coca-Cola were Americanizing French society. Resistance came from competitors and farmers who protested that French cuisine was in jeopardy. But US industries were successful since they maintained a "tight ship and monitored standards." Intense rivalry permeated economics and culture. France accused the US of exporting cultural imperialism; US cinema, television, and popular music were undermining French society. But these social outlets were popular with the French people. France's foreign policy supported multipolarity to contravene US unilateralism. France wanted to be equal partners with the US in Bosnia and in Israeli-Palestinian and German unification negotiations. France attempted to have a peacekeeping security defense plan as a counterpart to NATO, but the plan failed without endorsement from the US, which favored NATO expansion. The paradox is in the contrasting sets of behavior: anti-Americanism with the Americanization of French society in accepting US values and economic models. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. C. A. Gliozzo Michigan State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
