Is there such a thing as the "French model"? If yes, is it really something tangible and understood abroad - or is it merely a caricature of the French? How is the "French model" different from what is referred to in France as the "Anglo-Saxon model"? Can it protect the country from economic crisis? Does French-style racial integration ignore the issue of “diversity”? Should freedom of expression be unlimited? Is France's secular ethos at odds with religion? Is multi-culturalism in crisis? And does xenophobia threaten European identity?<br><br> For many, these issues are the subject of passionate debate. They also breed misconceptions and misunderstandings from one side of the Mediterranean to the other and, perhaps even more so, further afield across the English Channel and the Atlantic.<br><br> FRANCE 24 examines the issues in a special series of 36 Face-Off debate programmes in English, French and Arabic. The series begins on September 30 at 7pm (GMT+2).