Assignment: In Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong, read
the chapters assigned below. Write a response, following the
Reader Response Guidelines (above). React to and comment upon
at least two of your classmates responses.
Chapter 10: What did you
learn about jobs in France?
This chapter was a follow up to the last chapter about General Charles de Gaulle. He has a major influence on the French and still does to this day because of his courage. He led the Free French, something that is taught to children in elementary schools all over France. In fact, this man is such an influence that even though he is dead, people occasionally ask themselves if “his spirit is alive.” I liked that quote because it’s exaggerated so much so that you can’t help but think, “Wow, he must have been some kind of man.” De Gaulle has a master plan that he created to remove power from Parliament because they were seen to take advantage of their power. A new constitution for France had to be created that gave power to the people. It was such a popular idea that 78 percent of the population were fond of De Gaulle’s new constitution referendum. Political instability was a huge concern for France and a new Constitutional guideline for those in power was exactly what was needed. De Gaulle opened up so many doors to make politics in France legitimate. I applaud his efforts and he is considered a hero in France, so obviously they highly regard his efforts too.
RépondreSupprimerI agree that Charles de Gaulle was a great man, and he was such a visionary. His ideas were also so widely accepted by the public that it becomes hard to admire such a man who essentially saved his country.
SupprimerChapter 10 is essentially all about the State of France. No I did not type that wrong the State not states. France has many regions or provinces that people live in, but these regions are nothing like the 50 states in the U.S.A. Each one of our 50 states, in addition to the District of Colombia all have their own governments that are ultimately regulated by the federal government. Just because the taxes in one state are a certain amount, does not mean that all the other states pay the same amount. This is not the case in France. The entire country follows the State, which is what I would compare to our federal government minus the individual state governments. The State creates or abolishes laws depending on what is deemed for the greater good of the people of France. I can easily see how this chapter ties in with the previous chapter where de Gaulle set up the semi-absolutist government. His goal was to give the power to a central figure, and this figure would ultimately run the State with the help of parliament. There are a few things in this government that I approve and disapprove of. One thing I do admire is the process to become and advance as a civil servant. These jobs hold a lot of power in France, and in order to obtain that power and the perks associated with the position, I feel that is more than fair that rigorous testing is given to find worthy candidates. I also really liked that the French State takes care of its civil servants, including providing housing. One thing that I frowned upon was the social control that France decided it would have over its people, such as deciding if a woman can work a night shift. I feel like these are decisions that should be made by the people, not dictated by a government.
RépondreSupprimerI just realized I posted the wrong chapter by accident, but I do agree with you that it's great that candidates are put through more rigorous challenges before they can hold a position in office. People should know exactly who they are getting to represent them. The French really seem to cater to these people by even caring for their personal needs. I think this says they truly value government.
SupprimerI think that the testing and scenting for the civil servant jobs is very good. it really gets the best people for the job. however if we tried to implement that in the US i feel that a lot of people would discouraged from applying for the job because our society especially our generation has a an ideal that if it's a lot work then it's not worth pursuing. but perhaps thats why we should have the testing and the scanning because then we would only get people will want to work really hard.
SupprimerI also thought the civil servant aspect in France is interesting. The example in the book about police officers killing or being killed was an interesting way to think about it, as I never would have thought about civil service like that before.
SupprimerI find the whole French application process fascinating, it's odd, but much more beneficial to have the employees continuously studying within their field. The grading scale is also helpful in that it shows who deserves a promotion and better pay.
SupprimerThis chapter was all about the meaning of State in France. This chapter also talked about civil servant jobs in France. The way that France enforces their laws is by making every state go by the same laws. In America we have laws that are followed by the entire country but because the country is so large we also have some laws and are set by each state. This concept is terrifying for the French. They couldn’t imagine have so many different rules for different places. The US system probably wouldn’t work very well in France anyway because the country is much smaller than the US. The French don’t just look to the meaning of State for laws; State also represents the French Identity. Part of the French identity is that everyone is French. If you are French citizen then you are French and speak French and nothing else. The French Republic looks over the fact that there are people with different cultures and ethnicities. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. The bad way to look at is that no one has an individual identity and some people are angry that the French republic wanted to mush everyone together. The good part about it though is that this ideal reduces discriminating minorities. The French have “one for all and all for one” attitude. In America if you donate you old clothes to charity then you get a reduction on your taxes. In France no one donates to charity because part of their tax money goes to the poor and the needy. The French have really high taxes but they don’t mind. The French would never ask for the taxes to be lowed because they know it’s for “ the common good.”
RépondreSupprimerIn France they have magazines that advertise job openings to become a civil servant. This sounds convenient but its not. To become a civil servant you have to go through a very intense screening process. First you have to take many exams with thousands of other people for under two hundred positions, after the first round you must then take an oral exam. After they are hired they still have to go through extensive training. After all this hard work civil servants get many benefits. The women training to be a nurse didn’t have enough money to get a house so the hospital let her and her daughter live there until they had enough money to get their own place. This was not a special case either, the hospital has housed many people.
I am torn by the idea of having all the states follow all the laws that a federal government puts into place. I whole heartedly admire it, but I think growing up in a country where there is one government to oversee 51 other governments has clouded my vision. It is interesting to think how this system would work if applied to the U.S., but I believe that we are so ingrained into this system that a change that drastic would never happen.
SupprimerI also agree with Rachel; I think that all the regions in France following the same laws can be easier, but each region will vary with needs from one another, and their needs may not be accommodated if they hold the same laws as everyone else.
SupprimerI believe that if the U.S were to follow France's lead we would experience better prosperity because, once we're all operating under one law, then the inter-state conflicts will fade, allowing us much more growth ability.
SupprimerThe french mentality towards taxes is really interesting. It sounds like the people demand what the states puts their tax money to and they don't mind paying the taxes so long as it's being used appropriately. This being the case, tax money is used for things like charities and such. In the States pretty much everyone gripes about taxes:both amount paid and what the government spends it on. And to be honest I have no clue what the governments uses my tax money for, i'm not entirely convinced it's going to charity, thats for sure.
SupprimerThe chapter begins by explaining what the French refer to as Etat, which is very similar to what the Constitution is to Americans. The Etat is looked up to for stability in France, and was built upon the differences between people and their ideals in history, and has since improved. Since the Vichy regime, the French have referred to the State as the Republique Francaise. The State was created to “make France,” and while the author was in France, the United Nations rated their health care system as number one, while the United States was at number thirty seven. A lot of this is due to the high priorities of the French and high expectations of the State. Interestingly enough, all decisions made by the system go through Paris, either literally or metaphorically, because the government is there. I quote the author, “centralization works because the French embrace three principles: assimilation, the general interest, and equality.” Of course, the regions within France may have their own disputes, but being able to have one government throughout the country with the same values and laws for everyone makes things much easier, rather than here in the United States where we have laws that can vary state-to-state.
RépondreSupprimerI think France has the right idea in having one government. While absolute authority isn't something I agree with ideologically, politically it makes more sense then having multiple governments as is the case in the US. America should've made a choice between state governments or federal governments; having both is confusing. Why is something that is legal in one state illegal federally? Why is thats illegal in some states legal federally? Who holds the power? It just doesn't make sense, it totally skews a persons interpretation of right and wrong and is a really impractical way to govern. State or federal, it should be one or the other; having both is just too conflicting.
Supprimerdon't get me started on political reform.
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RépondreSupprimerSean M. Taylor
RépondreSupprimerFrench 101
October 31, 2014
Reader Response #9
Chapter ten of, Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong, dealt specifically with the French State, or État; however, it is not referred to as the État anymore because of its relation to the Vichy regime. The government is now called the République, which has a similar meaning to its Latin origins as a, “public thing.” The chapter more precisely explored France’s internal mechanism… it’s civil servants. Compared to all other countries, France has the highest ration of civil servants, more than twice the size of the French army. Like an army civil servants are ranked and subject to universal rules about salaries, benefits, and promotions. The ranking of civil servants is an A, B, C scale. C civil servants are the rank and file members, B rank civil servants are technicians, and A rank civil servants are the officers. Then, there are a select number of A+ civil servants, theses servants are the equivalent of staff officers or executives. However, the selection process for France’s civil service jobs are severe, employees still have to meet high levels of training even after they have been hired. This, in addition to the rigorous application process, determines the success rate for all jobs in France, which is between 1 and 12 percentile. Yet, for those who make it into civil service, the perks can be quite rewarding. One example is that employees receive job security for life. Many employees are even housed at the expense of the French State. Nevertheless, even when civil servants obtain their job, they must then be wary of the grading system that is in place. Civil servants who are marked well by their employers will receive better pay and promotions, but they must be marked bien note, well-marked.
Chapter 10 is basically about France’s government and how that government came to be. Unlike the United States, France’s “State” consists of just one unified government. Here in the United States, we have 50 states, each with their own government. France has one State and government that governs everything from schools to all civil services so all of their laws are uniform and don’t vary throughout the country. Although, it took France a very long time to develop its government into its current state, it is more successful than the American government. They may have higher taxes, but their job securities are very good. France is very dedicated to their workforce. In fact, they have different categories for all of their civil servants. C is for those who are generally lower class workers who may or may not have college degrees. B is for middle class workers with college degrees and often include tax controllers and teachers. The A class workers generally consist of high class citizens with post graduate degrees and high paying jobs. However, in order to obtain these jobs each applicant must go through a long process just to get 1 of 140 available jobs and still have to go through training even if they have the qualifications.
RépondreSupprimerThis chapter describes the political structure of France and the role the "Etat" and civil servants play in maintaining the structure. France has just one government, which in my opinion gives them more stability than the US because there are then much fewer contradictions, what's the law in one place is the law everywhere. Becoming a civil servant is no east task, but once you are the perks are well worth the struggle, including job stability for life. The state makes sure its workers are properly taken care of, like the case with Isabelle and her daughter who were housed by the hospital she worked at for 10 years until she could afford her own living place.
RépondreSupprimerI liked how Nadeau and Barlow talked about the French people's relationship to taxes. They pay much more than North Americans but seem to complain less about it so long as the state is spending money on things the people think is important. They trust the state to do the right thing because the state has usually done the right thing in the past (with exceptions of course)