A President leaves a mark by the course of action that he takes, and/or by the way he handles the historical problems in which he is entangled by happenstance. In both cases, it is by constantly thinking about his legacy in thirty years that he is most useful to the country: wanting to leave a mark is not a megalomaniac and selfish act; on the contrary, it is the best criterion for evaluating what needs to be done in order to serve the long-term interests of the people.
More specifically, there are five ways for a political leader to leave a mark:
1. By waging war or dealing with a tragic situation: one can only hope that the current president, or his successors, will not have to demonstrate their lucidity and courage through these types of ordeals, whether it be military or terrorist related. It is up to them, however, to prepare the French people by constantly reminding them about the dangers of the world, as well as about its potentials, and by making sure our military is strengthened, especially with the weapons of the future, which are often neglected.
2. Clearly articulating a social project, which is capable of giving meaning to the history of a nation, well beyond a mandate. A project that is clearly focused on future generations; a socially and ecologically altruistic project. President Kennedy had succeeded in doing this, which is why we remember fondly his tragic but meteoric presidency.
3. Implement deep-reaching reforms of French society, by communicating his ambition. For example, today, by making access to knowledge, for all and at all ages, the highest priority of the mandate. Or by undertaking a great sweep of all of our laws in order to erase the innumerable remaining traces of machismo in it.
4. Build a new institution: Cultural buildings have gone out of style. On the other hand, a president could be remembered by history today if he created a great research centre of global dimension, in order to attract scientists from the five continents. This research centre would be publicly and privately funded.
For example, in the field of neuroscience, (including artificial intelligence, biology, biomimicry, and educational sciences), on which economic growth in the second half of the 21st century will depend.
Or on the climate: there is no physical place, anywhere in the world, which brings together all those who are working, exchanging and fighting to save the climate. And Paris is beautifully well situated to be such a place.
Both are absolute emergencies. And I believe that it is more important to do everything possible to welcome foreign scientists, rather than the often cynical and ephemeral bosses of American multinationals, whose sole ambition is too often focused on profits, without any moral or civic convictions. And for whom France is only one hunting ground among others.
5. A major international project: Along with the European project, though hopeless, and in particular the Europe of Security, of which every French President must be a champion; we should also oversee the launch of a major project towards the African continent.
Similar to the Chinese president’s launch of the extraordinary “New Silk Road,” which structures the international ambitions of China over a thirty-year period, a French president should also launch a “New Mediterranean Road’” that would connect Europe and Africa, in a thirty-year project, for the benefit of all. This project would entail the mapping and planning of all infrastructures that would allow for the joint development of both continents. Otherwise, the New Silk Road will do it, and Europe, already moribund, will be definitively counted out of history.
If power is to be useful, it must create the conditions for it to be remembered with gratitude rather than being cursed. This is as true for a President of the Republic, as it is for a mayor, teacher or parent: each and every one of them is responsible, in one way or another, for the destiny of the future generations.
j@attali.com