http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/chirac-and-corruption/ Tim King on French politics Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:13:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/chirac-and-corruption/#comment-31290 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:47:55 +0000 http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/chirac-and-corruption/#comment-31290 There have been a number of articles about this French reality, unfortunately very few in France where there is most often a quest for the optimal scapegoat rather than a quest for truth. There are interesting parallels from the legacy to Eva Joli to Carla Del Ponte...although in theory worlds apart the parallels are terrifying; others deserve to be mentioned. Perception is relative, to mention Clearstream is to fondle the tip of the iceberg, to go after Chirac is yes warranted but not in this context. Within the quest time allows for a shift of focus, to draw a parrallel between Clearstream and Chriac is but a subterfuge, a smokescreen for prior realities that are still politically incorrect - best left unspoken. There have been a number of articles about this French reality, unfortunately very few in France where there is most often a quest for the optimal scapegoat rather than a quest for truth. There are interesting parallels from the legacy to Eva Joli to Carla Del Ponte…although in theory worlds apart the parallels are terrifying; others deserve to be mentioned. Perception is relative, to mention Clearstream is to fondle the tip of the iceberg, to go after Chirac is yes warranted but not in this context. Within the quest time allows for a shift of focus, to draw a parrallel between Clearstream and Chriac is but a subterfuge, a smokescreen for prior realities that are still politically incorrect - best left unspoken.

]]> http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/chirac-and-corruption/#comment-30400 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:55:38 +0000 http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/chirac-and-corruption/#comment-30400 This is an interesting debate which mirrors one that has been going on in Ireland for a number of years. Over here we have tribunals that having been running for years investigating corruption in public office. Over the years there have been some incredible revelations about individuals and the political system as a whole. However, the public seem to be disinterested re electing the past two times the same party that is at the heart of the revelations (this may be about to change as there is a mood in the country that the once untouchable Taoiseach (Prime Minister ) is being caught in the web of corruption). The french editorials mirror the arguments that have been going on in Ireland namely it is all in the past, the politicians are a different breed and lets move forward. Public opinion is also very similar to the French regarding how corrupt they perceive politicians to be. This is all very dangerous for the political system as people become more cynical and thus disengaged the more the tribunals go on and the more they reveal. However, overall they have been necessary in the fight to purge politics of corruption. If as the editorials say that politicians are a different breed today that is largely in part to their previous scams and dodgy dealings being exposed. This is an interesting debate which mirrors one that has been going on in Ireland for a number of years. Over here we have tribunals that having been running for years investigating corruption in public office. Over the years there have been some incredible revelations about individuals and the political system as a whole. However, the public seem to be disinterested re electing the past two times the same party that is at the heart of the revelations (this may be about to change as there is a mood in the country that the once untouchable Taoiseach (Prime Minister ) is being caught in the web of corruption).
The french editorials mirror the arguments that have been going on in Ireland namely it is all in the past, the politicians are a different breed and lets move forward. Public opinion is also very similar to the French regarding how corrupt they perceive politicians to be. This is all very dangerous for the political system as people become more cynical and thus disengaged the more the tribunals go on and the more they reveal. However, overall they have been necessary in the fight to purge politics of corruption. If as the editorials say that politicians are a different breed today that is largely in part to their previous scams and dodgy dealings being exposed.

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