A few things strike me about France's 'cultural preservation' type approach - firstly, in preventing change a decision is being made that a period in time repre

A few things strike me about France's 'cultural preservation' type approach - firstly, in preventing change a decision is being made that a period in time represented the high water mark for France's development, and that change from that point can only be negative; given that before this period change was allowed, and that indeed it was change that led to the perceived high point, isn't it strange to now say: 'no more change, change is bad!'. Secondly, who gets to determine what industries/culture gets preserved, and what process is used? I'd be surprised to find out there is any kind of consistent process behind this. Thirdly, aren't these booksellers supposed to be businessmen after all?! Perhaps if they are so attached to a goverment-protected role involving culture they would be better off in a library or museum.