Resources

Essay Questions

Click on the bar below to jump to each question or scroll to the bottom to download this page.

1. French political traditions in a changing context

How has the political division between Left and Right in France developed since the nineteenth century? Does it still correspond to any real issues?

In what ways have long-standing political traditions in France been challenged since 1945, and with what results?

'La fin de l'exception française.' How far have France's economy and society become less 'different' since 1945?

Websites

The single major portal for France's public institutions:
http://www.vie-publique.fr/sites_references/institutions.html

The leading Paris research institute on French politics is the Centre d'Études sur la Vie Politique Française (CEVIPOF):
http://www.cevipof.msh-paris.fr/

The major French statistical institute is INSEE:
http://www.insee.fr/fr/home/home_page.asp (available in English)

International economic and social comparisons are best sought from the OECD:
http://www.oecd.org/home/0,2605,en_2649_201185_1_1_1_1_1,00.html

France's leading national dailies:
Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/
a 5-euro monthly subscription includes access to the paper's whole post-1987 archive
Libération: http://www.liberation.fr/
Le Figaro: http://www.lefigaro.fr/

2. From Fourth to Fifth Republic

Why did President Coty ask General de Gaulle to form a government in May 1958?

To what extent was the popular consensus in favour of the Constitution of the Fifth Republic bought at the cost of ambiguity?

Websites

Conseil Constitutionnel:
http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/

Constitution in French:
http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/textes/constit.htm

Constitution in English:
http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/langues/anglais/cst1.pdf

3. Presidents and prime ministers: the personal factor

To what extent, if at all, is the personality of individual political leaders more important in France than in other political systems?

In opinion polls, the French have generally considered de Gaulle to be the best president of the Fifth Republic. At the start of 26, Mitterrand became the front-runner. Evaluate the claims of both men to this accolade.

Websites

The three deceased presidents of the Fifth Republic are all commemorated by associations of a more or less hagiographical type:
Fondation Charles de Gaulle: http://www.charles-de-gaulle.org
probably the best site on a president, and available in English
Association Georges Pompidou: http://www.georges-pompidou.org
also available in English
Institut François Mitterrand: http://www.mitterrand.org/spip/sommaire.php3

No comparable websites exist for living presidents.

4. The sources of executive power

'La monarchie républicaine' (Duverger). How accurate is this as a description of France under the Constitution of the Fifth Republic?

Compare and contrast the resources available to the President and the Prime Minister of France to exercise leadership in government.

Websites

The website of the President:
http://www.elysee.fr/

The Prime Minister's website, also leading to all government ministries:
http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr

For polling institutes, see Chapter 9.

5. Executive policy-making: the variable diarchy

What difference does 'cohabitation' make to the workings of the French executive?

'Cohabitation is simply a tougher version of what usually happens' (Pierre Servent). How accurate is this view of conflicts between the President and the Prime Minister under the Fifth Republic?

What makes it difficult for France's political executive to act with a common purpose?

Websites

See Chapter 4.

Download these essay questions