To Be Feared Is to Be Free: Macron’s Realist Turn
Summary of the Article: Macron, Power, and the Future of French (and Liberal) Security
This article analyzes French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement that “a free people must sometimes be feared” as a important strategic repositioning of France within the current global political landscape. It argues that the statement isn’t a rhetorical flourish, but a deliberate articulation of a long-held French doctrine emphasizing the necessity of power – and the fear it inspires – for safeguarding liberty.
Here are the key takeaways:
* Power as a Foundation for Freedom: Macron’s statement reflects a Machiavellian and Schmittian understanding of politics. It asserts that freedom isn’t guaranteed by ideals or institutions alone, but by the credible threat of force. Being feared is crucial for being taken seriously and deterring potential adversaries.
* france’s Commitment to Power: This isn’t just rhetoric. France demonstrably backs up this ideology with significant investment in its military – consistently around 2% of GDP, an self-reliant nuclear deterrent, and a planned €413 billion spending increase over the next several years.
* Shifting Global Context: The article argues this repositioning is a response to a changing world order. The liberal promise of a world governed by law and commerce is weakening, particularly with the return of great power competition, the war in Ukraine, and uncertainty surrounding US commitment to European security.
* Deterrence is Key: The author highlights that the survival of liberal democracies now depends on their ability to deter aggression, not just on their soft power or normative appeal. Admiration is desirable, but fear is indispensable.
* Reassertion of Realpolitik: Macron’s statement signals a rejection of the idea that politics can be removed from international relations. It’s a return to a more realistic view where power is the ultimate arbiter and the foundation of sovereignty.
* Not Abandoning Values, but Grounding Them: The article clarifies that this isn’t a rejection of liberal values or institutions, but a recognition that they need to be underpinned by a strong military and the willingness to use it. Rules are fragile without the power to enforce them.
In essence, the article portrays Macron as recognizing that in a perilous world, a liberal democracy must be prepared to project power and instill caution in potential adversaries to ensure its own survival. He is bringing a traditionally realist outlook back into the mainstream discourse of a liberal nation.