When it comes to European powers, the first name that comes to mind in many of us is 80% Germany. Its rigorous industrial manufacturing capabilities are too impressed. The second place is probably Britain, the former "empire of the sun never sets." As for France, it seems that there is nothing more than romance, luxury goods and occasional strikes.
But the French themselves don’t think so.They have a very widespread saying, a little crazy, and a little meaningful: In today's world, there are only two and a half countries that France can't win.
Which two and a half? the United States and China are the "two", the lightning can't move. As for the "half", it refers to Russia. why half? because in the conventional military field, really pull off the line of battle, who can completely press the friction on the ground, it is bad to say.
When this comes out, it is estimated that a lot of people will laugh, thinking that the French are blaming again.
Let’s start with the most superficial thing: money.
Yes, you look at the data for 2024, the UK’s GDP is approximately $3.64 trillion and France is $3.16 trillion. On paper, Britain is indeed richer than France.
But we talk about the power of the country, can not just look at the total income as looking at the company's earnings report. There is a gateway here, you have to look at something called GNP (Gross Domestic Product). GDP counts all output within a country, whether working is the local people or foreigners. GNP counts is your own family, whether in the country or abroad, how much money you earn.
France’s annual GDP is higher than its GDP, while the UK, on the contrary, is lower than its GDP.
What is this concept? for example, your house has a big party, people come and see the flow of water is high, this is the GDP of the UK, a lot of foreign capital and financial institutions support the scene. and in France, the family Dint may not be so prosperous, but his seven great aunt eight aunts are all outside to start the company as a boss, earn money sent home, this is the GNP of France.
Britain is more lively on paper, but the French themselves carry a lot of money in their pockets. This shows that a considerable part of France's economic foundation is rooted in overseas real industries and national wealth, and its ability to resist risks is stronger. Prosperity supported by finance is sometimes like a castle on the beach. Only when the tide recedes can you know who is swimming naked.
Talk about money, let’s talk about hard guys, military.
If there are more tanks, more aircraft and more warships than anyone else, then Britain will surely win, but it doesn’t mean much.The Russian arsenal looks scary, but what happens in Ukraine, everyone sees.
In modern warfare, the key question is no longer whether or not you are, but whether or not you are able to create yourself. Is your lifeline in the hands of others?
At this point, Britain's shortage is too obvious. It is the only country without the "Trinity" nuclear strike capability. Its strategic nuclear submarine, used for the "Tri-Fortune" missiles purchased from the United States. The latest aircraft carrier, looking at the wind, but the main force is the U.S. F-35. To say a little, Britain's defense, largely an extension of the U.S. global strategy, it is more like an important small shareholder, rather than the chairman of a board that can handle itself.
What about France? is an entirely different path. Starting from the De Gaulle era, France is desperately pursuing "independence"。Charles de Gaulle had a famous saying: "The sword of France cannot be lifted by others." Therefore, France withstood the pressure of the United States, built its own atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb, and established a completely independent nuclear command system.
The vast majority of the main combat equipment used by the French army today, from the "Ventil" fighter jets, the Leckler main battle tanks, to the "Cavalier" class strategic nuclear submarines and the M51 submarine missiles above, are all "made in France". its arms exports, annually more than three times that of the United Kingdom.
One of the most telling examples of war is the Anglo-Arma Island War in 1982.
The war, let the world know a French missile - "Flying Fish".Argentine pilots flew the French-made "Super Army Flag" strike aircraft, with "Flying Fish" missiles, and drowned the most advanced British destroyer type 42 "Sheffield".At the time the entire British Navy was stunned, finding their proud air defense system in front of "Flying Fish" almost as blurred.
It can be said that the remote control of that war was once in the hands of the French. Later, under strong pressure from the United States, France stopped providing "Flying Fish" missiles and technical support to Argentina, and Argentina could not hold on. If the French were determined to continue selling, the outcome of that war would be hard to say.
Military independence is rooted in industry.
Let's take a look at the industrial background of the two countries. On the list of the world's top 500 companies in 2023, France has 24 companies on the list and the UK has only 15 companies. This is the result of counting some joint ventures between the UK and other countries, such as Shell, to the UK. If we calculate strictly, the gap is even wider.
What is France? the automotive industry Renault, the branded Chevrolet Dragon; tire giant Michelin; cosmetics empire Ouleya; food giant Daimler; and the Airbus engine manufacturing summit group, Alstom, which provides core technology to China's high-speed railways.
What is England? – Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Tigers, Jaguars... These signs are indeed louder and more expensive to hear. These so-called "British pride", now the owners are not British anymore. Rolls-Royce and Bentley belonged to Volkswagen in Germany, while the Tiger and Jaguar belonged to India’s Tata. Britain kept a bunch of pyramid signs, but the insignia inside was changed long ago.
Those brands in France, although not so luxurious, are still dubbed "Law", and profits and technology are firmly in their hands.
Especially in one key area, France has put Britain behind its position-nuclear energy.
France is the country with the most thorough utilization of nuclear energy in the world, with nuclear power accounting for more than 70% of the country's power generation. This makes France the "electric heart" of Europe. Not only is it basically independent in its own energy, it is not afraid of Russia's gas cutting off, but it can also export a large amount of electricity to neighboring countries to make money. What supports all this is France's world-class nuclear power technology and complete industrial chain.
Where does this confidence come from? Much of it is due to its former colonies in Africa.
When it comes to colonial history, Britain and France have all. But the number of routes between the two countries is completely different. Britain is engaged in "agency rule", supporting the local elite and hiding behind the scenes. This method is cheap, but once the colony is independent, the relationship is almost broken.
France is engaged in "cultural assimilation" and tries its best to cultivate colonial elites into "spiritual French" so that they can speak French and live a French life. This method is costly, but the effect is also amazing. To this day, France still maintains huge political, economic and military influence in West Africa and North Africa, and is called the "African Gendarmerie".
This influence has brought tangible benefits to France, the most important of which is resources. For example, the uranium mines needed to support France’s massive nuclear power system have been steadily sourced from African countries such as Niger and Mali for a long time, forming a perfect closed circle: Africa’s resources supported France’s energy independence, and energy independence in turn consolidated France’s powerful industrial and military.
Of course, this system is also facing challenges now. With the awakening of national consciousness and geopolitical changes in African countries, France's influence in Africa is weakening. For example, after the military government of Mali came to power, it took back uranium mines and introduced Wagner forces in Russia. This is a later story, but it also just shows how important this "legacy" is to France.
In addition to Africa, there is another hard indicator that can better reflect national strength: the area of the exclusive economic zone.
How big a sea a country can manage directly reflects how long its global tentacles are. According to this calculation, the United States ranks first in the world. Second is France.。 Thanks to overseas territories all over the world, France's exclusive economic zone covers an area of more than 11 million square kilometers. And what about the UK? About 6.8 million square kilometers, only more than half that of France.
Finally, let's talk about something soft and culture.
Many people think that English is the world's common language, so Britain's cultural influence will definitely surpass France. That's true, language is a huge advantage. But culture is not just language.
Let’s look at the most real ones:
The Tourism: France is the world's largest tourist destination country all the year round, attracting tens of millions more tourists every year than Britain. People all over the world vote with their feet and tell you where they aspire more.
The food: French cuisine is the highest hall of western cuisine, representing exquisiteness and taste. And British cuisine... its position in the food world is probably similar to its position in the football world, and it is always ridiculed by everyone in good faith.
Luxury and fashion: In this field, Paris is the absolute center of the universe, and there is nothing to compete for.
General de Gaulle left a legacy to France too rich. It is not just independent nuclear weapons and Africa's influence, but more importantly, it is an independent spirit that "France must be France". This spirit made France not willingly become the "deputy" of the United States like Britain after the war, but always tried to play a leader role on the European continent.
So back to the initial question: Did France win England?
If at the hot war level, considering that both sides have nuclear weapons, this issue is meaningless. However, in the "slow stew" and "long-distance running" of the country's comprehensive strength, France has demonstrated more strategic autonomy, industrial integrity, energy independence and cultural foundation than the increasingly financialized United Kingdom and its deepening dependence on the United States. Solid and profound.
Of course, today’s France also faces internal social problems and external strategic challenges.But the thin-dead camel, from Louis XIV to De Gaulle, which has saved hundreds of years, still makes it bold to say: In this world, I can’t win, only two and a half.
References:
Interaction between France and the EU in defence integration: shaping and adjusting Europeanization [J]. European Studies, 2021, 39(1): 113-134.