Abstract:

Well versed in international affairs, the French foreign ministry and France’s external services should be less sensitive than others to the difficulties that pervade the civil service. They are unable, however, to avoid the inflexibility of its bureaucratic rules or those inherent in French society. On the other hand, they do have the capacity and the will to reform. Several courses could be set thanks to the putting in place of a culture of appraisal: systematic dissemination of information to the public, a more open dialogue with society, and a better sharing of tasks between external postings and the central administration that would allow the latter to play more effectively its role in definingpolicy and co-ordinating foreign action.

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