French Politics

This textbook introduces readers to the various aspects of the French political system, from institutions to parties, as well as the cultural aspects needed to understand day-to-day French politics and recent developments. How powerful is the French president? What do French elites and citizens think about the EU? Is the far right now a key player in the party system? These are some of the questions that this book answers. Designed to meet the needs of students of political science and law, as well as interested professionals, the book aims to make the latest research on French politics accessible and understandable to a wide audience, and to improve the public s understanding of current events.

Part I: Institutions. - 1. The origins of the Fifth Republic, a historical overview. - 2. The Executive - President and Prime Minister. - 3. The Legislative Branch - National Assembly and Senate. - 4. The Judiciary - The Judicial System and the Constitutional Council. - 5. Multi-level politics - the local and regional levels. - Part II: Political culture. - 6. Citizenship, the Republic and secularism. - 7. Attitudes to Europe. - 8. Elections, electoral behaviour and the organisation of political life. - Part III: Political parties. - 9. The historical development of the party system. - 10. The left: la France Insoumise, the Parti Communiste, Europe Écologie, the Parti Socialiste and their alliances. - 11. The centre-right: Renaissance, MoDem, Horizons. - 12. The Conservative Party: Les Républicains. - 13. The Rassemblement National and the rise of the extreme right.