The French Defence Debate: Consensus and Continuity in the Mitterrand Era [Hardcover]

The French Defence Debate examines assertions of consensus and continuity in, and surrounding, France's defence since 1958, with primary reference to the political career of Fran?ois Mitterrand. Mitterrand's influence over defence and security, before and after his election to the presidency, is often underestimated. Nonetheless his impact was substantial, if ultimately for his lack of concern to preserve consensus and his reluctance to instigate necessary changes in France's defence - despite the end of the Cold War, and the military deficiencies and limitations of national independence it exposed.List of Abbreviations PART I: MITTERRAND AND DEFENCE Years of Discord Towards a Defence Consensus? Mitterrand and Defence: An Overview PART II: DEFENCE DEBATE DURING THE MITTERRAND PRESIDENCY Defence Planning in the First Term Military Intervention in Lebanon and Chad The Security Challenge of the 1980s The End of the Cold War: A Crisis for French Military Planning? Towards a European Defence? The New French Interventionism Conclusion Notes Bibliography IndexRACHEL UTLEY was educated at the University of Leeds, where she was awarded her doctorate in 1998. She has previously taught at the Universities of Leeds and Leicester, and has published a number of articles relating principally to France's external military interventions during the presidency of Fran?ois Mitterrand.