Liberty, Equality, Fraternity from a Franco-American perspective

“Love-hate” between French and Americans?

Given current events in the United States, we question ourselves every day, as consultants, about how we are going to approach our intercultural training on the United States and France without triggering passionate and heated debates due to the very special relationship that reigns between these two countries. The Franco-American relationship is often described as “love-hate”.

In this article, we have chosen a deliberately intercultural approach by bringing the debate back to the level of values ​​which make it possible to explain the impact on mentalities and therefore on behavior. This “cow love” can partly be explained by the fact that we have three values ​​in common, those of freedom, equalityand fraternity (relationship to the collective), but that the meaning and combination between the three translate in different, even opposite, ways.

A little history

An unlikely friendship

Nearly 250 years ago, the French and Americans forged an unlikely friendship against a common enemy: the English. When General de Lafayette crossed the Atlantic to fight for the American cause, and subsequently, when Thomas Jefferson exerted influence on the writing of the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, inspired in part by the American Declaration of Independence, the fate of the two countries is then sealed forever.

However, despite these points of convergence between modern France and the newly established United States, both defining themselves as fierce defenders of equality and freedom, their respective visions of these values ​​are enigmatic to one another. other.

The role of the state

Although the French Revolution eradicated France's feudal past and the Monarchy became a Republic, the state remains centralized and the head of state still enjoys unequivocal power. Equality certainly becomes a real rallying cry, but authority remains in the hands of the elites and the much-maligned system of privileges is maintained in new forms.

This elitism still persists today through the education system. Even if the Grandes Écoles system is the subject of numerous debates, in the collective unconscious, admission to one of these establishments still seems to condition access to positions of economic or political power for young French people.

Education is certainly cheaper than in the United States, even free, but academic requirements and a form of self-censorship make access to these elite schools difficult for certain children from families from lower social classes. favored. Meritocracy is mainly academic in France: the diploma is seen as the sine qua non condition for success in life.

Different interpretations of identical values

Two conceptions of equality

In the United States, the Declaration of Independence proclaims that “all men are created equal”, therefore meritocracy was inscribed from the founding of the country by the first settlers. This belief, more ambitious than realistic, nevertheless attracts populations from all over the world, who immigrate to the United States with the hope of starting their lives again without their social or economic class ,their ethnicity, their religion or their political affiliation preventing their success.

Millions of people are risking their lives, abandoning their families and their roots to live the “American dream”. They come with the hope that hard work and unwavering determination will be enough to improve the future of their children. Social stratifications are not determined by birth but by money and success: You just have to want it, it's American meritocracy.

Two conceptions of freedom

This American egalitarian system was fueled by a strong ideal of freedom. The Declaration of Independence states: “Americans are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights; among these rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

These words still resonate with Americans today, but a large part of them are also aware that a segment of the population has not benefited from these fundamental rights because of their race or ethnicity. Many realize that these fundamental ideals do not apply to the entire population and how “discolored” the collective perspective is. They are demonstrating today in the streets so that the principles of the Founding Fathers apply to all Americans without exception.

Likewise in France, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, written partly inspired by the philosophers of the Enlightenment, proclaims: “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions can only be based on common utility. All citizens are eligible for places and jobs, without distinction other than that of virtues and talents. ".

However, the French system, paralyzed by centuries of social stratification, mainly benefits the elites. Added to this are the colonial heritage and the impact of globalization which has changed the face of the French population, which is increasingly multicultural. A large number of its citizens felt abandoned leading to an identity crisis which manifested itself in the Yellow Vest movements.

The relationship with the collective

Thus, in both countries, we are attached to the notions of freedom and equality. An area of ​​reflection to explain the difference in interpretation of these values ​​is the relationship with the collective.

In fact, the French state was built on the preponderance of the community. Fraternity is institutionalized. The system is based on the sharing and redistribution of wealth by the State, which makes it possible to offer all citizens free access to education and healthcare. We believe in the welfare state whose role is to protect its citizens and thus ensure their freedom and equality.

In the United States, the Founding Fathers wanted to mark a break by limiting the role of the State to sovereign functions. The current of thought is deliberately liberal and anti-interventionist in principle. According to Americans, the market and the private sector constitute the best solution to guarantee individual freedom. Thus, education and health are essentially private domains.

Americans do not want to pay taxes to finance the needs of the community as the French understand it. American logic is to pay individually according to their respective needs, which explains the importance of philanthropy in this country. Historically, the richest Americans have no objection to redistributing their wealth, but they wish to do it themselves in the name of freedom but also of a fundamental value which is the belief in the individual and his responsibility.

Fraternity is ensured by individual initiatives. Equality is not guaranteed by the American state but everyone has a chance to succeed, you just have to take your destiny in hand and want: we talk about equal opportunities. Only minimal government intervention can ensure the full development of Americans, and too much government could be the main threat to the country.

Two approaches to the pandemic

The two approaches in how the pandemic is managed are a good illustration of this. In France, we confined ourselves on a national scale, decisions were taken from Paris by the centralized state. When the government proposes to decentralize by leaving it to prefects to make decisions adapted to their context to avoid a second wave of Covid-19, voices are raised accusing the government of not taking its responsibilities. And yet, the recent measures announced by the Minister of Health requiring the closure of all restaurants and bars in Marseille have triggered a real war between Paris and its territories .

In the United States, confinement and its rules vary from one state to another to preserve federalism. While Washington underestimates the effects of the virus, California is confined in March. Initiatives are carried out at the local level and on an individual basis: certain American brands such as Staples decide to donate their drive-in infrastructure to allow the state of Massachusetts to carry out its free screening campaign. Certain personalities are mobilizing to act in place of the government. Last April, Lady Gaga, supported by the Global Citizen movement in collaboration with the World Health Organization, hosted an 8-hour live virtual concert, “One World: Together at Home.” ). Major international stars performed from their homes and raised $128 million for caregivers and local NGOs.

Evolution of cultures

Thus these two countries are linked by this love for democratic ideals, but the historical roots give a different interpretation to the notions of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Yet we find similarities in the response to current events: identity crisis, demonstrations against police violence and racism, anti-mask movements and freedom to work on both sides of the Atlantic. So, love-hate or just different in the way they face current global upheavals?

Looking to the past, we note that serious crisis situations constitute key moments for a culture to evolve. Thus we notice that some Americans see the benefit of institutionalized solidarity, and the French are beginning to notice the benefits of power closer to the ground. Will our two great transatlantic democracies emerge stronger from this?