Charles de Gaulle's Political Philosophy – a View from the 21st Century International Dimension

Abstract

The historical and political visions of France's greatest statesman of the 20th century Charles de Gaulle resonate in present controversies over essential topics including prospects for nation states and civilizations in globalization era, the concept of European integration, structures and norms of the 21th century international order and more. The value of de Gaulle's political philosophy is not in the originality of underlying theoretical ideas, but in an uncommonly harmonious dualism of fundamental antithesis applied to the changing concrete realities and political action strategy. His foreign policy thinking combined recognition of the continuing role of nations with globally scaled and universalist approach, historicism – with attention to recent and upcoming shifts; realism – with values and principles; pragmatism in tactics – with strategic vision and political will. De Gaulle’s “national idea” is aware of the line that separates constructive national ambitions from destructive ones and is balanced by the European and global dimensions of his concerns and motivations. National interests, being the core priority for de Gaulle as head of state, were conceived not in a standard way but within the framework of rebuilding the Cold War bipolar system into a more plural and cooperative international order with a "true" Europe of Nations as an independent center of power. Of particular importance in today's context are the humanist aspect of de Gaulle's views on civilization and technological progress and his recognition of ideological pluralism in international relations.