First published in 1977, France 1870-1914 combines an outline of events with an analytical treatment of the main political institutions and forces of the Third Republic, relating them to their social context. After an introductory narrative chapter, Dr Anderson discusses the social bases of politics, regional variations in political behaviour, parties and political leadership, and the parliamentary system. There are sections on the Republicans and Radicals, the Right, and the working-class movement, and a separate chapter is devoted to foreign and colonial policy. The success of the Third Republic as a working political system and a distinctive form of parliamentary democracy is emphasized. The author also provides a framework of interpretative ideas which makes the book stimulating as well as informative. This is a must read for scholars and researchers of French history and French politics.
Preface Introduction 1. The evolution of the Republic 1870-1914 2. The social foundations 3. The map of opinion 4. Elections, deputies, and parties 5. Parliamentary Politics 6. Republicans and Radicals 7. The Right 8. The working-class movement 9. France and the world Conclusion Appendix 1: Political evolution Appendix 2: Socialist and trade union organizations Appendix 3: Political geography of Paris Notes Bibliography Index
Biography
R. D. Anderson
