Chapter Nine

Politics in France

Comparative Politics Today, 9/eAlmond, Powell, Dalton & Strøm

Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman © 2008

Country Bio: FranceCountry Bio: France

Pop: 60.4 million Territory: 211,208 sq.

miles Year of Independence:

486 Year of Current

Constitution: 1958 Head of State: President

Jacques Chirac Head of Government:

Prime Minister Dominque De Villepin

Language: French 100%

Pop: 60.4 million Territory: 211,208 sq.

miles Year of Independence:

486 Year of Current

Constitution: 1958 Head of State: President

Jacques Chirac Head of Government:

Prime Minister Dominque De Villepin

Language: French 100%

Religion: Roman Catholic:

89.5% Muslim: 7.5% Protestant: 2% Jewish: 1%

Religion: Roman Catholic:

89.5% Muslim: 7.5% Protestant: 2% Jewish: 1%

Current Policy ChallengesCurrent Policy Challenges

2006: French voters were worried about unemployment, crime, and urban violence. Have had high unemployment rates Questions regarding French membership in

the European Union Concerned about political corruption Issues of multiculturalism Anti-American sentiment

2006: French voters were worried about unemployment, crime, and urban violence. Have had high unemployment rates Questions regarding French membership in

the European Union Concerned about political corruption Issues of multiculturalism Anti-American sentiment

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective

One of the oldest nation-states of Europe French Revolution began with the

establishment of a constitutional monarchy in 1791 (the First Republic) Three more constitutions Napoleon Restoration of Bourbons House of Orleans Paris Revolution in 1848

One of the oldest nation-states of Europe French Revolution began with the

establishment of a constitutional monarchy in 1791 (the First Republic) Three more constitutions Napoleon Restoration of Bourbons House of Orleans Paris Revolution in 1848

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective

Second Republic (1848-1852) Universal male suffrage Napoleon III Franco Prussian War

Third Republic (1871) WWII deeply divided France Charles de Gaulle

Fourth Republic (1946-1958) 24 governments in 12 years

Fifth Republic (1958 onward)

Second Republic (1848-1852) Universal male suffrage Napoleon III Franco Prussian War

Third Republic (1871) WWII deeply divided France Charles de Gaulle

Fourth Republic (1946-1958) 24 governments in 12 years

Fifth Republic (1958 onward)

Economy and SocietyEconomy and Society

Mixed geography More than 3.6 million non-citizens live in France (North

Africa and Africa) 2 million French citizens are foreign born Urbanization came slowly Most of the urban population lives in and around Paris Strong economic development

Ranks among the wealthiest of advanced industrial countries

Inflation and unemployment Labor force changes Agriculture Privatization

Mixed geography More than 3.6 million non-citizens live in France (North

Africa and Africa) 2 million French citizens are foreign born Urbanization came slowly Most of the urban population lives in and around Paris Strong economic development

Ranks among the wealthiest of advanced industrial countries

Inflation and unemployment Labor force changes Agriculture Privatization

Constitution and Governmental StructureConstitution and Governmental Structure

Constitution of 1958 Parliamentary government

The Executive President of the Republic

Placed above parties Worked with Parliament, the Cabinet, the people Could appeal to the people in two ways:

Submit legislation to the electorate for referendum Could dissolve Parliament and call for new elections

Presidential powers used sparingly Emergency power

Direct popular elections Prime minister

Constitution of 1958 Parliamentary government

The Executive President of the Republic

Placed above parties Worked with Parliament, the Cabinet, the people Could appeal to the people in two ways:

Submit legislation to the electorate for referendum Could dissolve Parliament and call for new elections

Presidential powers used sparingly Emergency power

Direct popular elections Prime minister

The LegislatureThe Legislature

Composed of two houses National Assembly

577 members Elected directly for 5 years by all citizens over 18 Committees/specialized deputies

Senate 331 members Elected indirectly from department constituencies

for a term of six years Half every three years Two houses are not equal in either power or

influence

Composed of two houses National Assembly

577 members Elected directly for 5 years by all citizens over 18 Committees/specialized deputies

Senate 331 members Elected indirectly from department constituencies

for a term of six years Half every three years Two houses are not equal in either power or

influence

The JudiciaryThe Judiciary

Until the Fifth Republic, France had no judicial check on the constitutionality of the actions of its political authorities.

Constitutional Council Safeguard against legislative erosion Constitutional amendment in 1974

Until the Fifth Republic, France had no judicial check on the constitutionality of the actions of its political authorities.

Constitutional Council Safeguard against legislative erosion Constitutional amendment in 1974

Political CulturePolitical Culture

Themes in political culture The burden of history Abstraction and symbolism Distrust of government and

history

Themes in political culture The burden of history Abstraction and symbolism Distrust of government and

history

Religious and Antireligious TraditionsReligious and Antireligious Traditions

Both Catholic and “dechristianized” Conflict between the two Revolution of 1789 Political right and left determined by

attitudes toward the Catholic Church Secularization French Jews Protestants Muslims

New immigration

Both Catholic and “dechristianized” Conflict between the two Revolution of 1789 Political right and left determined by

attitudes toward the Catholic Church Secularization French Jews Protestants Muslims

New immigration

Class and StatusClass and Status

Social class Workers/working class Strong feelings regarding belonging

to a social class Class conscious Willing to demonstrate Traditional class differences

reinforced by growing sense of racial and ethnic differences

Social class Workers/working class Strong feelings regarding belonging

to a social class Class conscious Willing to demonstrate Traditional class differences

reinforced by growing sense of racial and ethnic differences

Political SocializationPolitical Socialization

Family Associations Education

Baccalaureat Open admission Grandes ecoles

Socialization and communication Mass media Decline in newspaper readership Television

Family Associations Education

Baccalaureat Open admission Grandes ecoles

Socialization and communication Mass media Decline in newspaper readership Television

Recruitment and Style of ElitesRecruitment and Style of Elites

Political class Modest social origins Changes in political recruitment Civil service

Grand corps Hereditary class

Tight network

Political class Modest social origins Changes in political recruitment Civil service

Grand corps Hereditary class

Tight network

Importance of GenderImportance of Gender

Low representation of women among French political elites

Political advancement requires deep investment in parties Segolene Royal

Graduate of the ENA Member of the Council of State

Dearth of women’s representation recognized but not addressed

Low representation of women among French political elites

Political advancement requires deep investment in parties Segolene Royal

Graduate of the ENA Member of the Council of State

Dearth of women’s representation recognized but not addressed

Interest Groups: The Expression of InterestsInterest Groups: The Expression of Interests

No more than 8 percent of workers belonged to trade unions Decline

Economic groups surge during dramatic moments in history

Most groups have limited resources Labor movement Business interests Agricultural interests

No more than 8 percent of workers belonged to trade unions Decline

Economic groups surge during dramatic moments in history

Most groups have limited resources Labor movement Business interests Agricultural interests

Means of Access and Styles of ActionMeans of Access and Styles of Action

Parliament Most convenient means to access Constitution of 1958

Neocorporatism Professional organizations versus

interest groups State interest group collaboration French state subsidizes interest groups Protests

Parliament Most convenient means to access Constitution of 1958

Neocorporatism Professional organizations versus

interest groups State interest group collaboration French state subsidizes interest groups Protests

Parties: The Traditional Party SystemParties: The Traditional Party System

Right and left Electoral system of the Fifth Republic favors

simplification of political alignments French party organizations skeletal

Fragmentary Modest linkage between national and local Party membership low

Party system became more competitive in 1980s Main political parties dominate the organization of

parliamentary work and the selection of candidates Less important as mass membership organizations

Right and left Electoral system of the Fifth Republic favors

simplification of political alignments French party organizations skeletal

Fragmentary Modest linkage between national and local Party membership low

Party system became more competitive in 1980s Main political parties dominate the organization of

parliamentary work and the selection of candidates Less important as mass membership organizations

The Main Parties: The Right and CenterThe Main Parties: The Right and Center

Union for a Popular Movement Union for French Democracy The National Front

Union for a Popular Movement Union for French Democracy The National Front

The LeftThe Left

The Socialist Party Lionel Jospin Plural left Cumul des mandats

The Communists French Communist Party Georges Marchais Marie-George Buffet

The Socialist Party Lionel Jospin Plural left Cumul des mandats

The Communists French Communist Party Georges Marchais Marie-George Buffet

Patterns of VotingPatterns of Voting

France- unitary state Elections held with considerable

frequency at every territorial level Communes First European country to enfranchise

a mass electorate Women age 21 and older granted the

vote in 1944 Voting age lowered to 18 in 1974

France- unitary state Elections held with considerable

frequency at every territorial level Communes First European country to enfranchise

a mass electorate Women age 21 and older granted the

vote in 1944 Voting age lowered to 18 in 1974

Electoral Participation and AbstentionElectoral Participation and Abstention

Rising abstention Voters’ confidence in all parties has

declined Abstention cyclical Few permanent abstainers

Voting In parliamentary election In referendums In presidential elections

Rising abstention Voters’ confidence in all parties has

declined Abstention cyclical Few permanent abstainers

Voting In parliamentary election In referendums In presidential elections

Policy Processes: The ExecutivePolicy Processes: The Executive Two-headed executive

President derives authority from direct popular elections Prime minister from majority support in the National

Assembly Long years of political affinity between the holders of the

two offices solidified and amplified presidential powers and shaped constitutional powers that had a lasting impact

From the beginning of the Fifth Republic, the president was not only formally appointed to Parliament the prime minister proposed to him, but he also chose the prime minister and the other Cabinet ministers.

Since all powers proceeded from the president, the government headed by the prime minister became an administrative body until 1986.

Council of Ministers – chaired by the president

Two-headed executive President derives authority from direct popular elections Prime minister from majority support in the National

Assembly Long years of political affinity between the holders of the

two offices solidified and amplified presidential powers and shaped constitutional powers that had a lasting impact

From the beginning of the Fifth Republic, the president was not only formally appointed to Parliament the prime minister proposed to him, but he also chose the prime minister and the other Cabinet ministers.

Since all powers proceeded from the president, the government headed by the prime minister became an administrative body until 1986.

Council of Ministers – chaired by the president

Policy Processes: The ExecutivePolicy Processes: The Executive Prime minister is more than first among equals Cohabitation 1986-1988 and from 1993-1995: conservative

majority controlled Parliament and the president was a Socialist

1997 to 2002: left held parliamentary majority and the president was from a conservative party

President continued to occupy the foreground in foreign and military affairs.

Prime minister became the effective leader of the executive and pursued government objectives.

Prime minister is more than first among equals Cohabitation 1986-1988 and from 1993-1995: conservative

majority controlled Parliament and the president was a Socialist

1997 to 2002: left held parliamentary majority and the president was from a conservative party

President continued to occupy the foreground in foreign and military affairs.

Prime minister became the effective leader of the executive and pursued government objectives.

Policy Processes: The ExecutivePolicy Processes: The Executive Limits to executive power

Role of policy failures Other ministers’ involvement Role of networks

Two different patterns exist for sharing executive power When majorities are identical; prime

minister is subordinate Under conditions of cohabitation, the prime

minister clearly gains dominant authority at the expense of the president.

Limits to executive power Role of policy failures Other ministers’ involvement Role of networks

Two different patterns exist for sharing executive power When majorities are identical; prime

minister is subordinate Under conditions of cohabitation, the prime

minister clearly gains dominant authority at the expense of the president.

Policy Processes: The ParliamentPolicy Processes: The Parliament Constitution curtains the powers of

Parliament: As a source of legislation As an organ of executive control Blocked vote, Article 44 Ordinances, Article 38 Motion of censure, Article 49, Section 3

Used infrequently; virtually excludes Parliament from meaningful participation in the legislative process

Constitution curtains the powers of Parliament: As a source of legislation As an organ of executive control Blocked vote, Article 44 Ordinances, Article 38 Motion of censure, Article 49, Section 3

Used infrequently; virtually excludes Parliament from meaningful participation in the legislative process

Policy Processes: The ParliamentPolicy Processes: The Parliament Devices for enhancing the role of Parliament

Extended sessions Weekly question period Television cameras Power to amend General support that French citizens give their

elected deputies Role of Senate

Delay legislation Some situations where their accord is necessary

Constitutional amendment Criticisms of the Senate

Devices for enhancing the role of Parliament Extended sessions Weekly question period Television cameras Power to amend General support that French citizens give their

elected deputies Role of Senate

Delay legislation Some situations where their accord is necessary

Constitutional amendment Criticisms of the Senate

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

No tradition of judicial review Constitutional Council

Considerable impact Judicial restraint

Council of State

No tradition of judicial review Constitutional Council

Considerable impact Judicial restraint

Council of State

The State and Territorial RelationsThe State and Territorial Relations

Unitary state France divided into 100 departments

(about the size of a U.S. county) Each is under the administrative

responsibility of a prefect and has a directly elected general council.

Grouped into 22 regions Centralization versus the process of

decentralization Powers

Unitary state France divided into 100 departments

(about the size of a U.S. county) Each is under the administrative

responsibility of a prefect and has a directly elected general council.

Grouped into 22 regions Centralization versus the process of

decentralization Powers

Performance and Prospects: A Welfare StatePerformance and Prospects: A Welfare State

France has a mediocre record for spreading benefits among all its citizens.

Emergence of long term unemployment

France has a mediocre record for spreading benefits among all its citizens.

Emergence of long term unemployment

Performance and Prospects: A Welfare StatePerformance and Prospects: A Welfare State

Concentration of wealth Distribution of taxes: the share of indirect

taxes – such as the VAT and excise taxes- remains far higher in France than in other industrialized countries

Indirect taxes not only drive up prices but also weigh most heavily on the poor.

Most effective in the area of social transfers

Relatively low poverty rates High level of quality medical services and public

services

Concentration of wealth Distribution of taxes: the share of indirect

taxes – such as the VAT and excise taxes- remains far higher in France than in other industrialized countries

Indirect taxes not only drive up prices but also weigh most heavily on the poor.

Most effective in the area of social transfers

Relatively low poverty rates High level of quality medical services and public

services

Nationalization and RegulationNationalization and Regulation Government-operated business enterprises

Railroads; almost all energy production; and much of the telecommunication; most air and maritime transport; most of the aeronautic industry; 85 percent of bank deposits; 40 percent of insurance premiums; one-third of the auto industry, and one-third of the housing industry

Privatization Deregulation of the economy Other areas of regulation

Environment immigration

Government-operated business enterprises Railroads; almost all energy production; and much of

the telecommunication; most air and maritime transport; most of the aeronautic industry; 85 percent of bank deposits; 40 percent of insurance premiums; one-third of the auto industry, and one-third of the housing industry

Privatization Deregulation of the economy Other areas of regulation

Environment immigration

Outlook: France and the New Architecture of EuropeOutlook: France and the New Architecture of Europe

Main concerns that dominated French politics 30 years ago have changed dramatically.

Political cleavages based on new conflicts are emerging.

Immigration Cold War Common Market Rejection of the European Constitutional

Treaty Problem of identity in an expanding European

Union and an independent world

Main concerns that dominated French politics 30 years ago have changed dramatically.

Political cleavages based on new conflicts are emerging.

Immigration Cold War Common Market Rejection of the European Constitutional

Treaty Problem of identity in an expanding European

Union and an independent world