COMPARATIVE POLITICS France History History of discontinuity and disruptions: five democratic republics, three monarchies, two empires,

one fascist regime and several provisional governments. History divides the French: virtues and excesses of the French Revolution of 1789 remain a topic of discussion Two separate Frances Red France (the France of the Revolution) and Black France (the France of the old monarchy and the Church) The State LEtat, cest moi King Louis XIV. An abstract entity representing the overall public interest Rousseaus general will It is embodied in the administrative services of the bureaucracy, which was well developed by the time of 1789 Revolution. the pervasive power of the Napoleonic civil service [made] the empire prevailed below while the Republic is above the surface Centralization: 1. autocratic monarcy of the ancien regime, 2. Jacobins of the First Republic breaking old provinces into new administrative units departments, 3. prefectoral control instituted by Napoleon ensuring the dominance of the state over local officials. Strong involvement in the social and economic life of the nation: interventionist approach to the economy; states effort to promote industrialization; proof is price control on bread from 1789 without interruption to 1979 Nationalism Prerevolutionary prde in French cultural achievement (propagated by French Enlightenment thinkers; manifested in exporting liberty and equality) Mass based nationalism replacing mercenary armed forces of the past with popular armies mobilized by the desire to spread the Revolution France could not be France without grandeur (greatness) Charles de Gaulle. Manifesting in: messianic fervor of the revolutionary era, expansionist eras of Napoleons, refusal to surrender to the Prussians, 3rd Republic seeking revenge for the defeat by the Prussians civilizing mission of French colonialism, jingoism of the the 1930s, and Gaulles reaffirmation of France greatness. Political Pluralism Large number of political factions competing for public office: Bonapartists (those who wish to restore the empire), fascist and monarchists, Trotskiites and Maoists of the far left, anticommunism, anti-Gaullism, anticlericalism French political leaders showing great skill in compromising theire ideological beliefs when circumstances demanded it; but compromise is not considered heroic or desirable. Fidelity to ideology hindering compromise much of the time (3rd and 4th Republic) Authoritarian pattern of political power Stresses the integrity of the state, the need for the government to govern and the citizens to obey, the rejection of political controversy in favor of a search for the general will, the exercise of power by a relatively small group of leaders with a limited role for the citizens and a paternal concern by the governors for those they govern. Authoritarian elements in the French state: the supremacy of the state, its aloofness from the contention of divisive and self-serving interests, and its identity with general will. Such pattern reinforced by the bureaucracy. Authoritarianism present in both Red and Black France: authoritarianism alternating from national (Black) to local (Red). Authoritarian pattern also in local government: rule of a paternalistic indispensable man as mayor prevailing Stalled or stalemate society: apartness from the citizens of political authority. Reinforced also by authority relations in home and school. Mildly authoritarian brand of democracy A propensity to revolt

Resistance and obedience are the two virtues of citizen. By obedience he guarantees order, by resistance he guarantees liberty. A tradition of revolt against tradition started in the French Revolution Historical precedents that future generations draw upon as patterns for future revolts: 1789 Revolution, 1848 Revolution, Paris Commune of 1870-71, General Strike of 1936 events of May 1968, all imbued with a mystique of revolutionary camaraderie, spiritual uplift and glamour. Events of May 1968 Student unrest caused by seriously overcrowded university facilities, archaic university procedures, aloof professors State Foreign policy: making France as autonomous and powerful as possible French nuclear arsenal: force de frappe Free france of American tutelage (improving Franco-Soviet relations, rejected NATO, but 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia made necessary for France to join the Atlantic alliance) Empowering France through European integraton Maintain economic and cultural influence with its former colonies

Single member district two ballot system The implication on left and right politics: gaullist winning more than the socialist and communist The fifth republic President chairing the cabinet and naming the premier Emergency powers of up to six months Calling a referendum on certain bills President elected by electoral college of more than 80000 members, initially but in a referendum, direct election by the people approved Weakened national assembly Bureaucratic political elite ENA and grandes ecoles Decentralization and the power of constitutional court Former civil servants dominating political parties