MACRON HEDGES FUTURE

FRENCH PRESIDENT CALLS FOR ASSERTIVENESS AMONG NATION STATES

By PETER THOMAS BUSCH

E

urope needs to pull the muster inward from all 27 nation states to meet the ever present burden that surviving the future entails, at least according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a wide ranging, 1h 48 minute and 9 second, speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris on April 25, 2024, Macron defined the present state of Europe so as to preserve the future for generations.

The next decade will be the most difficult for France and Europe as the Continent transitions through a turning point in history, according to the French President.

Macron also spoke of the need to modernize defensive weapon systems, such as building a missile shield, and merging forces through enrolment in a common European military academy.

The Russian war in Ukraine has made France realize the need for a missile defense shield similarly used by Israel, whose military adversaries are nearby neighbours and bordering states.

Russia, in the process of the war, has again underscored the difference between East and West, and that the East is a more permanent economic and political system seeking alliances with similar models in the East, such as with China and Iran.

Creating bridges between Eastern European nations within the European Union and Central European nations within the European Union is not enough, Macron stated. The Continent must reach out to other continents such as Africa, and in this way define itself as a unified political democratic entity.

WITHOUT UNIFIED ACTION, EUROPE RISKS BECOMING FRAGILE AND INCONSEQUENTIAL

MACRON

‘Without unified action moving forward as a Continent, Europe risks becoming fragile and inconsequential.’

Macron also stated that the social political model, currently used in Europe, is the best in the world with the pillars of democracy, human rights, and soft power creating a rich social cultural fabric – but this way forward comes at a high financial cost while also having lost a bit of attractiveness for people.

Macron blamed the erosion of basic cultural values on the influence of American and Asian models. The core values of the youth of the nation are constantly challenged by contrary views found in social media.

At the same time, Europe is a common destination for the world’s refugees whose presence on the continent ultimately challenges existing belief systems.

Macron stated that to remain sovereign, Europe needs to reduce dependency on other industrialized nations for green products and microprocessors. Macron wants to break the cycle of dependency by simultaneously reindustrializing and decarbonizing the economy.

A green future is not contrary to industrialization. Macron stated that the economy can become self sustaining in the manufacturing of batteries and semi-conductors.

Macron at times spoke for France and at times spoke for all of Europe, and then, every now and then spoke for France within Europe before becoming theoretical, intelligent, and somewhat sentimental – and even at times a bit obtuse.

The goal, or so the story goes, is to become the least polluting continent by decarbonizing and by producing zero plastic waste.

Macron concluded by referring to the existential problem of people harboring many more doubts and less and less self love than the hopes and dreams shared by previous generations.

But in defence of European humanism, Macron declared that all generations have previously embarked on a common adventure involving a vigorous defence of critical thinking in humanism and freedom of research in the sciences.

Macron also stated that the increased dominance of society by the global technology corporations threatens freedom and democracy, as well as individual nation sovereignty.

EUROPE MAY HAVE TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE ‘SOCEITY OF ALGORITHMS’

MACRON

The threat is so pervasive that France and Europe may have to take control of the society of algorithms, a task found possible by China, Macron stated.

The digital age of information, controlled by large global high technology foreign corporations, threatens core values of society through the unedited publication of information regardless of the truth or falsehood of the information.

Macron emphasised the “need to make sure that the digital space is more civilized, otherwise there will be uninhibited hatred.”

To survive this irreversible digital technology age, the society must be able to transmit the values and uniqueness of society to future generations, with the same important emphasis as protecting the forests, and the seas and the oceans, according to Macron.

Macron stated: ‘This is a decisive moment – this is a turning point – and people must take control of their destiny’.