This article was originally written for The Vibe and can be found here In 2002, Jean-Marie Le Pen surprised many by making it through to the second round of the French presidential elections with 16.86% of the vote, beating Lionel Jospin, then leader of the French Socialist Party. The results caused serious shock, and seemedContinue reading “The return of the Front National”
Tag Archives: Politics
Off the mark
A comment on french TV
Although I said I would not be writing whilst I was away, I could not help but pick up an edition of Le Monde before I took off and find the most interesting article! A while back I had written an article about the use of media by politicians and the importance that existed in this relation. Be it hidden or not, there is a definite link between the image that is portrayed of politicians and their popularity. In my opinion, they subtly use TV and other forms of media to their advantage, through personal links that they have. I particularly feel that Nicolas Sarkozy for example, who loves being in the spotlight, has managed to manipulate the media to his advantage. This is difficult to prove however…So imagine my surprise when I came upon the article in Le Monde!
Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the greatest of them all?
Or in other words, the power of the media in political and public relations
Le Monde of November 5th has an interesting article (that I can’t actually find online) on how Obama’s campaign inspired Mr. Sarkozy’s counsellors. The reason this draws my attention is because for quite a while now I have been interested in the link that exists between the mass media and politics. In my undergraduate dissertation, I tried to prove that the reason Jean-Marie Le Pen had managed to reach the second round of the French presidential election in 2002 was because of media coverage and the effect it had on the voters.
On tenterhooks
Who will be America’s next president?
It’s time for Americans to go out and VOTE!!!
I cannot urge you all strongly enough to go and vote and remind you how important this is. Today is election day in the US, and we are looking at what most newspapers and sites are calling the most historical election in US history. If Barack Obama wins this could also make history in terms of international relations.
Chicken or Ostrich?
Or why it is that the leaders of Israel and Palestine can never bring themselves to make bold statements whilst they are in office.
With the latest “Yom Kippur Riot” in Israel, we are brought back to the harsh reality that the conflict is not yet solved and far from being so. Sadly, this also reminds us of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, when the Arabs attacked the Jews on their day of rest, on which the whole country grinds to a holt, hoping this would give them the upper hand. Why bring us back to such an image, remind us of the past woes, when they world is desperately trying to bring this conflict to an end?
Smart Alecs and Mavericks
Having mentioned my previous lack of interest in American politics, I felt the need to dispell the rumour and make a few brief comments on the latest debate. After all, as I said last time, who America choses for president will affect us all, and the election is now creeping up on us quite fast, so it’s best to stay informed!
Of French fries and TV shows
In other words, thoughts on the American presidential debate…
I have never been one much interested in the politics of the American presidential race. Of course, who the Americans will choose as their president affects us all, but the interminable run-up to the election, in which so much back stabbing goes on you can hardly keep track, just bores me no end! However I did think it was important to reflect upon the just gone debate between this year’s two candidates.
Rock Paper Scissors
Or how the French interior Minister thought a handbook would save the day…
This week’s Economist, or should I say this week’s just gone, features an interesting article entitled “Jailhouse Jihad”. It mentions the fact that in France, there is an active recruitment of radical Islamists in overcrowded prisons. I found this article quite interesting as terrorism has now become a day to day reality for all of us, and our countries strive hard to keep it under control. Since “the Economist” referred to an article published in the french newspaper “Le Figaro”, I decided to follow up this path and see what more I could find out on the matter.
Emma Brooks 