The Cultural Policy in France under the Mitterrand Administration
(Summary)
by Kobata Rika
My subject is the cultural policy in France under the Mitterrand administration. A cultural policy is a public policy toward arts and culture. To put it simply, a cultural policy contains three aspects.
First, Encouraging artistic creations. This often takes the form of financial aid or official commission of works. Second, preserving cultural properties, such as old buildings, paintings, music, literature and language. And third, diffusing culture. That is, promoting cultural activities and enabling people to access culture.
President François Mitterrand was in office from 1981 to 1995. And from 1981 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1993, Jack Lang was the Minister of Culture. During this period, the cultural policy marked a very important development.
First, culture was redefined. As a result of this, popular culture was officially recognized as culture. Before then, only high culture was enjoyed the benefit of the cultural policy. So this redefinition of culture brought a big change for the French cultural policy. Second, because of the development of the cultural industry, the government could no longer ignore its significance. So, the government more and more took part in the cultural industry. Third, under the Mitterrand administration, many massive architectural programs were carried out. These programs are called “Les Grands traveaux”. By these programs, many famous and monumental buildings were made.
In short, the cultural policy under the Mitterrand administration was very positive. Compared with the former administration of Giscard d'Estaing, its positiveness is very striking. What made such positive policy possible was the increase of cultural budget. In 1982, the budget of the Ministry of Culture was doubled. And after 1983, its budget increased gradually toward a target of 1% in the whole national budget. Before 1982, the French government could not achieve many of its cultural policy, because of the lack of money. So, increase of the budget brought a big progress in the French cultural policy. But in 1980’s, France experienced economic stagnation, and the government reduced the national budget. So, in national assembly in 1982, Jack Lang said “Is it very sensible to double the budget during the economic crisis?” This is my question, too.
Then, how can the cultural policy under the Mitterrand administration be justified? The first possible answer is the cultural policy can be justified by the idea of cultural democracy. Cultural democracy is one of the purposes of the French cultural policy since the Ministry of Cultural Affairs was established in 1959. This is aimed at enabling all people to access culture equally. But this purpose have not yet achieved even now. According to some statistics, French people are less inclined to participate in cultural activities than they used to be. I think cultural democracy have some problems. First, I think it is impossible to enable all people to access culture equally. Second, I think the democratization of culture is obscure idea. It can be the forcing of the culture which was accepted by government. So, cultural democracy is not enough to justify the cultural policy.
The second possible answer is the cultural policy can be justified by soft power of culture. Jack Lang adopted the slogan: "economy and culture: it's the same fight". He regarded culture as the essential for national strength. French government tried to construct the image as a cultural superpower. In 1980’s, the domination of American culture was further established. For example, McDonald’s and Hollywood movies. And the international political position of France more and more declined. In these context, I think French government tried to reestablish its international position by using soft power of culture. Although France could not reestablish its national position, this strategy seem to somewhat successful.
Questions and Answers Session summerized by Mr Shibu
Ms Kobata’s presentation is about The Cultural Policy in France .
Following questions and answers are today’s discussion about that.
Q 1, About the Cultural Policy in Mitterrand Administration, is it the first Cultural Policy ?
A 1, No, in 1959, they have already experienced the another Cultural Policy.
Q 2, Are they same, both Cultural Policy in Mitterrand and in 1959?
A 2, They are difference, because the definition of the “culture” is difference .
in Mitterrand ・・・popular culture
in 1959・・・high culture
Q 3, Before 1959, is there no Cultural Policy in France ?
A 3, No, in the Third Republic, they have had.
Q 4, Why do you pick up 1959, as the Cultural Policy year?
A 4, Because the Ministry of Culture was organized in this year.
Q 5, France has already had high culture and large soft power. Is it not enough?
A 5, Not enough, to against America, France have to more soft power, and its soft power must be new power. France cannot against America in economic field, so they must against America in cultural field.
Q 6, What kind of budget was decrease in Mitterrand Administration ?
A 6, I don’t know.
Q 7, Before 1983, what is the international position of France ?
A 7, France had the economic advantage in the world at that time.
Q 8, Do you think did the project success?
A 8, It was successful, because the image of France has became better, and get some soft power.
Q 9, Dou you think the Ruble Pyramid is necessary ?
A 9, Necessary. The Ruble Museum get the nice entrance ！
Q 10, You have to show the special character of the Mitterrand age .
A 10, I will.
Q 11, Please show the example of soft power in France.
A 11, Fashion, or museum, or ・・・circus.
Q 12, Now, does the Cultural Policy last ?
A 12, Yes .
The thread of Ms Kobata's argument was very clear, so I think her presentation was very good. I got interested in the relation between financial policy and cultural policy in modern France.
by Kazuha Okimoto
I think her presentation was good. Nowadays, in newspapers, we can see various articles about cultural policy in the world. Her topic is so significant for modern society.
by Shoji Tsumura
I noticed culture is essential for national power. Certainly, nations who have extended culture provide strong influence in the world. (For example, America, Japan, China, France etc.) I think Russia is a big nation, but their culture doesn’t expand widely. So this is one of reason for Russia didn’t get hegemony.
by Takuya Khomoto