The relationship entertained by French elites to their homeland is very different from their English counterparts. ‘England is perhaps the only great country whose intellectuals are ashamed of their own nationality’, wrote George Orwell in 1945. That derisory sentiment continues today among Britain’s urban elites.
French elites by contrast – though they can be highly critical of their country among themselves – do not shy from exalting its status abroad.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 10 issues
for $20
Subscribe to The Spectator Australia today for the next 10 magazine issues, plus full online access, for just $20.
- Delivery of the weekly magazine
- Unlimited access to spectator.com.au and app
- Spectator podcasts and newsletters
- Full access to spectator.co.uk
Or
Comments
Don't miss out
Join the conversation with other Spectator Australia readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.
SUBSCRIBEAlready a subscriber? Log in