Eurodisney, French Politics, and the American Dream.

N

10

Business; Cultural Differences; Cultural Influences; Cultural Maintenance; Financial Support; Foreign Countries; French; Investment; Learning Strategies; North American Culture; Political Power; Political Socialization; Second Language Learning

This paper summarizes the past, present, and future of Eurodisney in France from cultural awareness and cultural business ethics viewpoints, suggesting that although the French have not bought into the American dream that is Disney, they are so heavily involved in Eurodisney from a financial angle that they can do naught but continue to provide financial support. Eurodisney is a European business in trouble; it had tremendous national and local backing and continues to receive local financial support as a matter of cultural obligation to local business and banks. Even though it was 5 billion francs in debt, Eurodisney received renewed financial support from European, and especially French, businesses and banks. It is suggested that Eurodisney brings a conflict between the French and European and the American cultures to the forefront. This is a conflict between the old and the new in an age where the service industries are growing at an unprecedented rate. Entertainment is now a product that must be marketed and sold on a world-wide basis, American style, despite France's desire to control it in a more European business style. (Contains ten references.) (NAV)

1996

ED396577