On January 6, 2025, Emmanuel Todd, author of "La Défaite de l'Ouest," featured on Le Figaro TV's "Points de Vue," expressed his assessment of American dominance as one built on the weakness and passivity of Europeans, particularly the French. Todd insists this dynamic necessitates self-reflection and action from the French, urging them to reclaim their independence and sovereignty. He argues, "We must not wait for other Europeans to act stronger for us. It is up to us, here in France, to think about our own independence. We need courage, starting with the courage to tell the truth." This perspective echoes through Todd's critique of the prevalent American worldview.
Todd contrasts this with Elon Musk's unfiltered behavior. Musk, currently the world's richest man and head of Tesla and SpaceX, recently made headlines with disparaging comments aimed at the Germans and the English. Todd highlighted this, stating, "Elon Musk is the guy who sh*ts on the Germans and the English. But the truth is, this is what American geopolitical analysts think of Europeans: they despise us for our servility!" Todd’s comments suggest Musk's behavior is indicative of broader American attitudes toward Europe, exposing the underlying sentiment of American superiority.
Todd’s sharp critique extends to the economic realities tied to this sentiment. "It’s important to see what’s behind this facade of success," Todd reflected, noting the stark financial contrasts within the aerospace industry. Starlink generates $7 billion, SpaceX $9 billion, whereas the collapse of Boeing has cost $65 billion. "What matters right now to the United States is not Musk's success but Boeing's failure," Todd observed. This insight frames Musk's triumphs not as isolated incidents of capitalism at work but as part of the frailty inherent within the larger American economic structure.
Returning to the topic of European strength, Todd’s commentary stresses the pressing need for policy adaptations should the region aim for self-sufficiency rather than reliance on American interventions. "We forget the lessons learned from Soviet history, where hard work was viewed as a means to create ambition and strength," he noted, cautioning against the cultural tendency to shirk responsibility. Todd's insistence on confronting the truth of Europe's position is seen as pivotal as he implores, “We should not expect Americans or Germans to take care of the interests of the people of France. We must prepare.”
His comments fall on the back of pressing geopolitical upheaval, such as the situations developing in Ukraine and Taiwan. Todd's reflection on the current tumult describes the West as being in disarray, stating, "Honestly, methodologically speaking, I have been having trouble lately... the West is dislocated, and silly things are happening." This overarching anxiety about geopolitical stability anchors his argument for European autonomy, underscoring the notion of proactive strength rather than passive acceptance.
Engaging with Musk's entrepreneurial narratives, Todd finds merit amid the challenges. He recognizes Musk's return to tangible production as smart, yet cautions about the potential delusions of grandeur surrounding such figures. He argues, "Despite Musk's apparent ingenuity, we should be cautious. The center of gravity for the American economy may be shifting, leaving us with fragile perceptions of success."
The conversation led to Todd's warnings on the broader implications of American contempt, emphasizing the need for Europeans to forge their paths instead of being caught in the wakes of American ambitions. "There is strength to be had—not just from aligning with Musk's vision but from creating our initiatives and authentic identities," he concluded, aptly summing up the urgency of the moment.
The fraught state of Europe's geopolitical relationships with the U.S., amplified through Musk's comments, demands introspection and action. Todd's disciplined response calls for awakening, advocating for France to think critically about its place and role within the shifting dynamics of global power. France, and Europe as a whole, may find resilience not within the dismissal of its own strengths but through the assertiveness of its identity and contributions on the global stage, surpassing the limitations imposed by foreign perspectives.