Don't get me wrong, though. I know France well enough to believe that it's national fabric and infrastructure, and some of the central cultural mores, are very strong and offer conditions amenable to a productive and fruitful life. And it may just be, given the major turmoil in developed economies around the world, that some of France's "stodginess" and (at least in Americans' eyes) tendency towards socialist policies may turn out to be an enviable virtue. contrary to Francis Fukuyama's decade-old premise, the end of history is not in sight, yet.

On the world stage, France has had to swallow a lot of criticism about not being "flexible" and "dynamic" enough, especially in comparison to the USA. Hey, look at where "flexibility" and dynamism" have gotten the USA

And yes, of course, I am being overly simplistic.

But I continue to believe that France has a lot of strengths, some of which it and it's citizens don't easily acknowledge.

However it might be a very long time before that happens. A nation's attitude, way of life, culture, etc., can't and will not change unless that nation is forced (by outside influences beyond their control) to either change or die. In my opinion, France is at a state where its' society is content with what they have; technology, culture, lifestyle, etc,. They don't see the need to be the top dog. They don't need to prove that they're the best.

America is different and unique due to it's cultural belief, ideals and values that anyone can be an elite (with all rights and privileges, whatever that may be) if they work hard enough, are smart enough, rich enough, etc.. therefore competition (greed, pride, bragging rights, etc…) will always prompt them to do more, be more.

Examples: Obama, Bill Gates, the Kennedys, etc..

Another good example is Japan. After WWII, Japan as a nation, forced itself to change. It has to or it would have become just another third world country. Honda, Toyota, Sony, Samsung, etc… need I say more?

Great article thank you.

Of course I do not know well the historic path and mental models underneath French organizations, although with yours and others help I am learning fast.

I suspect that you are (quite) correct.

I also think … or hope … that the above blog post contains enough caveats and mere opinion that it can be seen just as an encouragement. But if there are some of the important changes made, or desired, then what I was trying to say is that it is my general impression, from a small amount of familiarity with some aspects of French culture etc. that there is some interesting potential.