Politics in France and Europe (Europe in Transition: The NYU European Studies Series)

This book offers an in-depth analysis of political life in France and Europe at the beginning of the 21st century at a time of change and crisis. Encompassing questions about values, political actors and electoral choices, it is dedicated particularly to scholars and students enrolled in comparative politics programs. Readers will find scientific answers to the highly debated question both in Europe and elsewhere: in what way are the French different from other Europeans? Using comparative surveys, the authors carry out an empirical examination on the very specific nature of French politics as well as on convergent trends in Europe. Each chapter is based on a double scientific approach: the first assesses what distinguishes France from other major European countries. The second measures political homogeneity in Europe. Each chapter makes systematic use of the results of the first two waves of the European Social Survey , whose scope is unprecedented and whose methodological rigour ensured that it was awarded one of the most prestigious academic prizes in Europe - the Descartes prize - in 2005. In total, France is thus compared to Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Sweden. This book offers an in-depth analysis of political life in France and Europe at the beginning of the 21st century at a time of change and crisis. Encompassing questions about values, political actors and electoral choices, it is dedicated particularly to scholars and students enrolled in comparative politics programs. Readers will find scientific answers to the highly debated question both in Europe and elsewhere: in what way are the French different from other Europeans? Using comparative surveys, the authors carry out an empirical examination on the very specific nature of French politics as well as on convergent trends in Europe. Each chapter is based on a double scientific approach: the first assesses what distinguishes France from other major European countries. The second measures political homogeneity in Europe. Each chapter makes systematic use of the results of the first two waves of the European Social Survey, whose scope is unprecedented and whose methodological rigour ensured that it was awarded one of the most prestigious academic prizes in Europe - the Descartes prize - in 2005. In total, France is thus compared to Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Sweden Contents......Page 6 List of Figures and Tables......Page 8 List of Contributors......Page 12 Introduction......Page 14 1 The Crisis in Political Representation......Page 16 2 Political Values and Attitudes in Europe......Page 28 3 Religion and Politics......Page 44 4 Gender and Politics......Page 64 5 Young People and Politics......Page 82 6 Interest Groups in France and Europe......Page 100 7 Trade Unions and Politics......Page 118 8 The Political and Administrative Elites......Page 134 9 The Media and Searching for Political Information......Page 156 10 What Remains of Class Voting?......Page 180 11 The Green Movement......Page 196 12 French Socialism: An Exception in Europe?......Page 212 13 Right-wing Parties in France and in Europe......Page 230 14 The Extreme-Right in Europe......Page 248 Conclusion: France in Europe......Page 260 Bibliography......Page 270 E......Page 284 L......Page 285 S......Page 286 Y......Page 287 This text offers an in-depth analysis of political life in France and Europe at the beginning of the 21st century at a time of change and crisis. Encompassing questions about values, political actors and electoral choices, it is dedicated particularly to scholars and students enrolled in comparative politics programmes