Classical Western values, such as freedom of expression and tolerance, need all the defenders they can find these days, so congratulations to French President Emmanuel Macron for volunteering for the mission. It is not an easy task, but it is an important one. Mr Macron is right to conclude that it is vital for the future of France – and I would add, for America.
Mr Macron and his government ministers have clashed in recent months with the illiberal philosophers and divisors they say emanate from American universities. In October, Mr Macron condemned the influence of “certain theories of the social sciences imported entirely from the United States”.
He means, in particular, the habit of viewing most problems in racial terms – a central principle of “awakening” – and his government wants educational institutions to avoid it. The Minister for Higher Education, Frédérique Vidal, promised this week an investigation into academics “on everything in terms of the desire to fracture and divide.”
It is part of a broader attempt to reassert French values after many years of Islamist terrorist attacks. Mr Macron is also pushing for a new crackdown on religious extremism, and his law passed a chamber of the National Assembly this week.
Mr Macron’s political and philosophical understanding is to link together the fight against violent extremism outside France and the defense of democratic values inside. His October speech detailing his new plan to fight Islamism included a warning that focusing on “post-colonial or anti-colonial” discourse is a form of France’s “self-hatred” that allows Islam to flourish. Officials such as Ms Vidal also warn against the “Islamo-left”.