European Socialism and the French-German reconciliation

Through a comparative approach, the author analyses the considerations and concrete attitude of French, German and Italian socialist parties towards French-German relations until the signature of the Elysée Treaty. It argues that, despite a stated desire for reconciliation, considered a necessary but insufficient condition for the establishment of a peaceful and democratic order in Europe, divergences and mutual distrust prevailed mostly on the convergence of opinion. It analyses how reconciliation – and European integration as the framework of this reconciliation - had to deal with contentious memories, different - even opposed – national interests, and political domestic calculations. Last, it wonders if the experience of the wars, and of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, contributes to the creation of a generation effect and a new, common, political culture.