In order to exist, a State needs three elements: territory, nation and
political power. In order to have a complete existence, a State must be
internationally recognized. Into a State it has been common practice to
point out all three powers which must be independent of each other. This
is the principle of the separation of powers:
- legislative power makes laws;
- giudicial power ensures the laws are observed;
- executive power enforces laws.
The relationship between State and culture has always occupied a
singular place. The history of French cultural politic is often identified by
two ministers: André Malraux and Jacques Lang which continue today to
influence people’s opinions and the cultural heritage. The
“pantheonization” of André Malraux has contributed to offer a
hagiographic perspective of whom, who has created the Ministry of
Cultural Affairs in 1959. The cultural politics of Jacques Lang are valued, if
not judged on the basis of his actions during François Mitterrand’s two
seven-year periods in office.
The diffusion of French overseas offers a meeting and even a “linguistic
shock” that naturally creates multilingual situations in which French is in
contact with English, Spanish, Creole, Arabic, Berber, Wolof, Malinké,
Malgasy, etc. Francophone literatures of Antilles, Maghrebi and sub-
Saharan Africa are the evident sign of a linguistic and cultural exchange
and of a conflict sometimes cruel. Of course the histories of both worlds
cross together but they produce several different situations, creating in
turn different relations with French language and culture, which strongly
influence the literary production.
It’s fundamental to outline how railways have improved the rural’s life
and system, which was deeply anchored to local lands, and how the
incredible speed of this new mean of transport can turn everything into a
poetic and abstract vision.
The 1842 law provides for long-term concessions and the financial
support of the State for the realization of a railway system pointing to
Paris. The final aspect of national railway is based on Paris, as well as
national road system.