Democracy in Modern FranceBloomsbury Academic, 2003 - 221 pages With its unique blend of political history and political theory, this book is a welcome addition to the series on Politics, Culture and Society in the New Europe. Nick Hewlett begins his fascinating study with a discussion of the various ways in which the concept of democracy has been interpreted. He continues by tracing the effect of France's revolutionary tradition on the theory and practice of democracy since the Enlightenment, looking in particular at both republican democracy and direct democracy. Hewlett examines the implications for democracy of profound social and political conflict in France and offers an unusual critique of the institutions and structures of formal politics, suggesting that their relationship with democracy is more tenuous than is often assumed. The political philosophy of `new liberals' such as Luc Ferry and Marcel Gauchet is also discussed in detail. Thought-provoking, original and closely-argued, this book explores some key aspects of politics in France whilst making a strong case for greater direct participation of ordinary people in politics. Nick Hewlett is Professor of French Studies and Director of the Centre for European Research at Oxford Brookes University. He is author of Modern French Politics. Conflict and Consensus since 1945 (1998), co-author of Contemporary France (with Jill Forbes and François Nectoux, 1994 and 2001), and co-editor of Currents in Contemporary French intellectual Life (with Christopher Flood, 2000) and Unity and Diversity in the New Europe (with Barrie Axford and Daniela Berghahn, 2000). |
From inside the book
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Page 44
... France's passage to and consoli- dation of modernity . It has come closest to offering enduring gov- ernmental stability , in particular in the Third and Fifth Republics , where the Constitutions and main political parties have been ...
... France's passage to and consoli- dation of modernity . It has come closest to offering enduring gov- ernmental stability , in particular in the Third and Fifth Republics , where the Constitutions and main political parties have been ...
Page 67
... France's modern history as a whole , there has been a trad- ition on both the Marxist and republican left to view France's revo- lutionary , conflictual past as one which embodies democratic urges , and indeed as one which has ...
... France's modern history as a whole , there has been a trad- ition on both the Marxist and republican left to view France's revo- lutionary , conflictual past as one which embodies democratic urges , and indeed as one which has ...
Page 118
... France's political tra- ditions on the one hand and the philosophy of liberalism on the other . I then discuss the reasons for the relative absence of a real tradition of liberal political philosophy in France , despite the fact that ...
... France's political tra- ditions on the one hand and the philosophy of liberalism on the other . I then discuss the reasons for the relative absence of a real tradition of liberal political philosophy in France , despite the fact that ...
Contents
Democracy and the legacy of revolution | 29 |
Conflict coercion and violence | 61 |
The institutions and structures of formal politics | 91 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
advanced capitalist societies Alain analysis arguably argued authoritarian become Bourdieu capitalism certainly coercion Communist conflict consensus Constitution contemporary liberal corruption coup d'état crucial debate deeper democracy defend democratic demos depoliticization direct democracy dominant economic established example extreme right Fifth Republic formal political forms of democracy Fourth Republic France France's François François Furet freedom French history French political Furet Gauchet Gaulle ideology important individual rights influence institutions intellectual Jacques Jacques Chirac Jacques Julliard Julliard labour less liberal democracy mainstream Marcel Gauchet Marxist modern movements nature of politics neo-liberal ocracy ordinary organization parliamentary participation particular parties philosophical Pierre Pierre Rosanvallon political science political scientists political system politicians politique popular sovereignty practice radical Raymond Aron regimes representative democracy republican revolution revolutionary role Rosanvallon Rousseau social and political Socialist sphere structures struggles suffrage theory tion Tocqueville tradition twentieth century violence vote whilst widespread