Maine Law Review Volume 58 Number 2 Symposium: French and American Perspectives Towards International Law Article 7 and International Institutions June 2006 Commentary: Convergences and Divergences: The United States and France In Multilateral Diplomacy André Lewin Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mainelaw.maine.edu/mlr Part of the International Law Commons Recommended Citation André Lewin, Commentary: Convergences and Divergences: The United States and France In Multilateral Diplomacy, 58 Me. L. Rev. 395 (2006). Available at: https://digitalcommons.mainelaw.maine.edu/mlr/vol58/iss2/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at University of Maine School of Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Maine Law Review by an authorized editor of University of Maine School of Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. COMMENTARY:CONVERGENCESAND DIVERGENCES: THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE IN MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY Andre Lewin• Despite the divergences that have regularly separated the United States and France, or at the very least their officials-who unfortunately influence public opinion as well-there are, in my opinion, more similarities than differences than one would believe between these two countries' approaches to international relations. They both feel that they have a calling to defend the advancement of universal values in the world in order to further humanity along the road of peace, democracy, happiness, and justice. The United States, which can be considered a relatively new country, values respect for human rights, free enterprise, equal opportunity for everyone, individual freedom, religious faith, a beliefinjustice, and constitutional rights.