France, ?Root Causes?, and ESDP.

Elites in France often qualify their understanding of insecurity, especially terrorism, by pointing to ?root causes?. This paper proposes to examine the meanings and implications of ?root causes? for French security policy and, in this respect, France?s influence on European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). What issues can be located under ?root causes?? For example, what is the French view of the relationship between security and issues such as economic deprivation, human rights violations, and the lack of democracy? What is the role of human security in French security thinking? What security threats are best addressed by focusing on ?root causes?? What are the means of addressing this new category of threats? Is the source of the emphasis on ?root causes? France?s proximity to the South? In the final analysis, is France moving from a security strategy based on definite strategic space to one that gives priority to global issues, especially the issues that cause so much insecurity in the South. If so, is France moving Europe towards a similar approach to security? ..PAT.-Conference Proceeding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]