In France, the government, industry, and the people have helped the country make itself to what it is known to other countries today. They “acquired a sort of monopoly on culture, style, and luxury living” (DeJean, 3). However, other factors, such as extravagant food, high fashion, and luxury items, are things that that allowed the country to remake itself. This lead to tourism for people who want to experience the high life in society and the recognition of elegance, glamour, and romance. These specific factors have made France achieve “national aesthetics” status since the time of Colbert and King Louis XIV. During the seventeenth century, France was competing against England and Holland and was feeling the stress of not doing as well as these two countries (Usher, 237). This lead to the general industrial program where new industries were formed and the existing ones continue to produce their products. Also, Colbert’s ministry codes were put on a small number of basic industries (Usher, 239). Along with this, France exported than imported more goods to help the country grow and become what it is today. For my nation/state/area of my interest, I have not decided on a country yet, but I think food and fashion can work with any nation. The reason is that many countries have food as their national aesthetics, and many people like trying new types of food in other countries. On the other hand, fashion is different in many countries, and it help defines their culture. Therefore, it can help a nation remake itself and grow.
Question: Why is food one of the common national aesthetics around the world?
Works Cited
DeJean, Joan. 2005. The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chi Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour. Free Press: New York.
https://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/2548939/455633221/stock-vector-hand-drawn-vector-illustration-of-popular-french-food-varieties-croque-monsieur-croque-madame-455633221.jpg
Usher, Abbott Payson. “Colbert and Governmental Control of Industry in Seventeenth Century France.” The Review of Economics and Statistics, vol. 16, no. 11, 1934, pp. 237–240. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1927041.
Nation branding is like finding special/ different things about a nation and advertise it to the world. Each region/ nation has its own kind of food, different taste, different food culture. And it is easy to try, just eat it. That's why food one of the common national aesthetics around the world.
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