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Testimony: France in the Twenty-first Century
“This book presents my analysis of the difficulties France faces. It outlines my proposals for putting France back on the path toward economic growth, social justice, and modernity. And it addresses many of the common domestic, international, economic, and social challenges that advanced democracies like France and the United States must confront.” So writes Nicolas Sarkozy–France’s outspoken and controversial minister of the interior and a leading presidential candidate–in the new preface to the American edition of his best-selling memoir.
He analyzes the difficulties facing France–social tensions, inadequate education, high unemployment. But far from drawing fatalistic conclusions, he demonstrates that France does not suffer from an identity crisis but from a crisis of political debate. He accuses French political figures, sometimes harshly, of having deprived the public of their own say in government, leading to pervasive suspicion of elites, the state, and proper governance. This book is a testimony to how Nicolas Sarkozy has evolved over the past twenty years as the only French political figure across the entire spectrum to broaden public debate, to confront idées reçues, to seek a new direction for France–in short to re-empower the French in their own political deliberations. In Testimony, for which he has drawn fire, Sarkozy issues a wake-up call to his people and the world, setting forth his iconoclastic views on such hot-button issues as international relations vis-à-vis the United States, the Arab world, and Africa; globalization; cultural chauvinism; immigration; the welfare state; education; and law and order.
Extraordinary for its candor regarding Sarkozy’s political as well as personal life, Testimony gives us an unsparing critique of contemporary French society and its leaders even as it champions a sharp break with the past. Sarkozy’s is a brave, new vision for France as it engages the world of the twenty-first century.
He analyzes the difficulties facing France–social tensions, inadequate education, high unemployment. But far from drawing fatalistic conclusions, he demonstrates that France does not suffer from an identity crisis but from a crisis of political debate. He accuses French political figures, sometimes harshly, of having deprived the public of their own say in government, leading to pervasive suspicion of elites, the state, and proper governance. This book is a testimony to how Nicolas Sarkozy has evolved over the past twenty years as the only French political figure across the entire spectrum to broaden public debate, to confront idées reçues, to seek a new direction for France–in short to re-empower the French in their own political deliberations. In Testimony, for which he has drawn fire, Sarkozy issues a wake-up call to his people and the world, setting forth his iconoclastic views on such hot-button issues as international relations vis-à-vis the United States, the Arab world, and Africa; globalization; cultural chauvinism; immigration; the welfare state; education; and law and order.
Extraordinary for its candor regarding Sarkozy’s political as well as personal life, Testimony gives us an unsparing critique of contemporary French society and its leaders even as it champions a sharp break with the past. Sarkozy’s is a brave, new vision for France as it engages the world of the twenty-first century.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
5 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Nicolas Sarkozy
45 books19 followersNicolas Sarkozy, born Nicolas Paul Stéphane Sarközy de Nagy-Bocsa) is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on May 16, 2007 after defeating Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier.
Before his presidency, he was leader of the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). Under Jacques Chirac's presidency he served as Minister of the Interior in Jean-Pierre Raffarin's (UMP) first two governments (from May 2002 to March 2004), then was appointed Minister of Finances in Raffarin's last government (March 2004 to May 2005) and again Minister of the Interior in Dominique de Villepin's government (2005–2007).
Sarkozy was also president of the General council of the Hauts-de-Seine department from 2004 to 2007 and mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine, one of the wealthiest communes of France from 1983 to 2002. He was Minister of the Budget in the government of Édouard Balladur (RPR, predecessor of the UMP) during François Mitterrand's last term.
Sarkozy is known for wanting to revitalize the French economy. He has pledged to revive the work ethic, promote new initiatives and fight intolerance. In foreign affairs he has promised a strengthening of the entente cordiale with the United Kingdom and closer cooperation with the United States. He married Carla Bruni-Sarkozy on February 2, 2008 at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
Before his presidency, he was leader of the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). Under Jacques Chirac's presidency he served as Minister of the Interior in Jean-Pierre Raffarin's (UMP) first two governments (from May 2002 to March 2004), then was appointed Minister of Finances in Raffarin's last government (March 2004 to May 2005) and again Minister of the Interior in Dominique de Villepin's government (2005–2007).
Sarkozy was also president of the General council of the Hauts-de-Seine department from 2004 to 2007 and mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine, one of the wealthiest communes of France from 1983 to 2002. He was Minister of the Budget in the government of Édouard Balladur (RPR, predecessor of the UMP) during François Mitterrand's last term.
Sarkozy is known for wanting to revitalize the French economy. He has pledged to revive the work ethic, promote new initiatives and fight intolerance. In foreign affairs he has promised a strengthening of the entente cordiale with the United Kingdom and closer cooperation with the United States. He married Carla Bruni-Sarkozy on February 2, 2008 at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 11, 2024
A great milestone in my Master’s degree is reading this book. Nicolas is absolutely the man of his people, climbing the ranks of French politics with sincerity. I always remember his results-based policies as minister of several ministry. His humane approach to the people, and his ability to be a moderate rightist, is an exceptional spectacle.
August 23, 2012
He may havevlostvthevelection, but he may have the last laugh (not that he wants it, I'm sure).
France, and the French are complicated...no argument there. But the transition from a post WW II society to the 21st century France that, in spite of best efforts against it, is happening with chilling effects on her residents. Sarkozy's blueprint, aaIMHO, is just what France needs, rather than the 75% income tax his successor is putting on the wealthy, who appear to be leaving, with their assets, in droves...
France, and the French are complicated...no argument there. But the transition from a post WW II society to the 21st century France that, in spite of best efforts against it, is happening with chilling effects on her residents. Sarkozy's blueprint, aaIMHO, is just what France needs, rather than the 75% income tax his successor is putting on the wealthy, who appear to be leaving, with their assets, in droves...
February 25, 2015
I read this book to learn more about France without having to read a tome of French political history. Sarkozy focuses on several of France's modern problems, how he thinks they should be solved, and how he he has tried to solve them in his various government positions. Very interesting! The only problem is that it is outdated in terms of what has happened recently in France, such as Sarkozy becoming President.
November 27, 2007
The writing could be better and a bit tighter (it is repetitve in spots). But if you want to know the current French president's vision for his country, you should definitely read this book. No one should be surprised by what Sarkozy proposes because it is all laid out clearly in print.
March 11, 2008
It's too bad we don't have this kind of innovative leadership in the United States.
June 3, 2012
The State. The State, the State, the State. What is the solution to every problem? The State.
February 1, 2016
A good read into both the thinking of the French president as well as an eye opener on some of the issues confronting France
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews