France

France 3rd largest country in Europe after Russia and Ukraine 2X the size of Great Britain, yet only 4/5 of Texas Population: 58,000,000 GDP $31,000 Life expectancy: 74/82, Literacy 99% 90% of population is nominally Catholic(2% Protestant, 1% Jew, 5% Muslim, 2% No affiliation 1/4-1/3 live around Paris Dirigisme--state interferes in political, cultural affairs. French bureaucracy a stabilizing factor; higher civil service members come from technical schools (ENArchues like Ecole Nationale d’ Administration. Educational system sorts people. French claim there are no lobbyists or “interested members” lobbying. Unemployment 12%, rising crime Eager to promote EU expansion, integration

French History Before 1789 France was a monarchy 1789—French Revolution 1870-71—Franco-Prussian War 1940-44: Vichy Regime 1946-58: 4th Republic. Legislative branch had too much power, wasn’t efficient. Proportional representation. Electoral system allowed for a large # of parties that didn’t work together. DeGaulle asked to help w/gov’t and prevent split with Algeria. Strengthened executive… 1958—5th Republic 1969-De Gaulle retires 1981- Mitterrand elected, reelected 1988 1995-Chirac elected, re-elected 2002 2007: Sarkozy defeats Royal

The Mixed French System Voters in France vote 2 ways: Nationally for President Regionally for National Assembly members Dual Executive system: President and PM 2 ballot system for President. Two weeks apart, on Sunday. No need for 2nd ballot if a candidate gets 50% on 1st ballot. In Presidential election, only top 2 candidates advance to 2nd ballot 2002: Chirac 20% LePen 17% Jospin 16% French politicians may retain administrative local positions, but if elected to cabinet must resign their seat. 50% of NA “double-dips”

The French Electoral System Primarily single member district representation Any # of candidates can run on the first ballot. If a candidate wins an absolute majority, he wins seat in Parliament If not, 2nd ballot 1 week later. Any candidate with 12.5% of the vote may run again. Lots of coalition building and deal cutting Partisan politics shows up particularly at 2nd level

The French Parliament Senate (274) National Assembly (577) Senators elected for 9 yr terms Electoral college of NA and 100,000 regional representatives “Voice of rural France” Staggered terms; 1/3 up for reelection every 3 yrs Expected to agree with NA, NA can override Senate on urgent matters National Assembly (577) Deputies directly elected for 5 year terms Must authorize declaration of war If Parliament is unhappy with Prime Minister or if Parliament has a problem (lack of leadership), PM can be subjected to a “vote of confidence.” 10% required to put on agenda, 2 day cooling off period. If vote is against gov’t, it must resign. Voted 40 times since 1958, successful once in 1962. (DeGaulle dissolved Parliament and reappointed Georges Pompidou) Debates in subcommittee hearings are not as important as in the US Constitutional Council determines the Constitutionality of laws

The French President Currently Nicholas Sarkozy (elected 5/07) Serves a fixed 7-year term, no term maximum (5/w amendment Names PM (not a real power) Presides over the cabinet Commands armed forces Concludes treaties Submits issues to national referendum (1950s: French withdrawal from Algeria) Can dissolve National Assembly (except in 1st yr. Of new assembly). 1983 poll—58% favor this power. 5 times since 1958. Subject to removal only if indicted by conventions of both houses for high treason. Chirac “blunder” of 1997; thought if he waited to call elections, his party would sink…turned out he lost anyway to Socialists and Jospin. Cohabitation resulted…really a division of labor Can proclaim “State of Emergency” and rule by decree (DeGaulle 1961 Algeria situation)

The French Prime Minister Currently Francois Fillon Head of Government Determines government policy Proposes bills, laws implemented through bureaucracy Female Prime Minister Edith Cresson lasted 10 months, 1991-92

French Political Parties RPP (Gaullist) “Movement for the Republic” formed 1958, named after DeGaulle. Conservative, but not as conservative as Republicans in the U.S. Socialist (PS)--Liberal party. Attracted former PCF members, party of Mitterrand National Front (FN)--led by Jean Marie Le Pen. Nationalistic, anti-immigration, extremely conservative. Xenophobic. Union for French Democracy (UDF)--liberal democrats’ arm of conservative party Coalition gov’t after winning ‘86 and ‘93 elections Socialists are a success story in contemporary European politics--unemployment brought them to power Minor Parties: Communist Party, Green Party

French Political Culture Stereotypes: French rude, love to argue politically, deeply divided hostile society with lots of strikes DIRIGISME “Protest” political culture PANTOUFLAGE: “Putting on the glass slipper.” French politicians frequently become “captains of industry” Higher voter turnout than rest of Europe Women received right to vote only in 1945 2/3 of population (poll late 70s) support Presidency and think politicians care about commoners Trustful of politicians; no one questions mixed system Believe in “right to have a job” Strong framers’ union in France 3 most deeply divisive issues in France: Racism/illegal work, post-material cleavages (environment, education, women’s rights), European integration EX: Maastricht Treaty (1991) 52% vote in FRA

France: Foreign Policy DeGaulle’s Policies (1958): French forces never integrated in NATO (now are) Never abandon nuclear weapons to int’l control Play an intermediary role between East and West French foreign policy has fewer overlaps with American foreign policy than Britain French invested $2 bil w/ Iran (natural gas/petroleum) French are arms merchants, sold to Iraq Maintains ties with colonies and the third world.

Why France is a 1st-Tier Power Permanent member of UNSC with absolute veto Member of NATO, disapprove of American dominance, trying to get southern command relocated 1 of 2 leading EU powers (Germany) Jacques de Loire basically set up EU and Maastricht Treaty--single currency, single bank

Why French leadership in Europe? National Pride It’s the best way for the French to control Germany (by leading European integration) French priorities: Keep Germany in check Exploit markets of developing countries (Iran, Malaysia, Russian oil)

Learning Objectives After mastering the concepts presented in this chapter, you will be able to: Gain detailed knowledge of the history of the political system, economic development and statehood formation of France. Recognize the importance of French Revolution of 1789 on the formation of republican form of governance in France. Understand the concept of ‘dual executive’ governance while analyzing the development of French political system. Define civic culture and civil society and assess the importance of both in French political system. Discuss the impact of the history and magnitude of mass and student protests on the development of political culture in contemporary France.

Learning Objectives After mastering the concepts presented in this chapter, you will be able to: Recognize the position of French voters on the European Union development and further France’s integration into the EU. Define the formation and the role of France’s National Assembly. Describe French executive branch of government. Recognize the specification of French electoral system. Comparatively analyze the electoral system in France while using few other countries for your comparison. Understand the impact of privatization on economic and political development of the French state. Forecast challenges and expected changes in France’s political system, economic development and political culture in light of the Nicolas Sarkozy’s political victory.