The Government and Politics of France

Since its first publication in 1978, this has established itself as the leading textbook on the government and politics of France. The new edition has been fully revised and updated to take account of events up to and including the presidential elections of 1988. The main purpose of the book is to examine the major political institutions and arrangements of the Fifth Republic, and it emphasizes the diffuse, fragmented, complex and elusive quality of political power. Since the last edition, there have been many important changes in France, which are now covered by the author. France experienced alternance in 1981, cohabitation in 1986, and the situation of a government without a majority in 1988. Review of the first edition: "With any introductory text one is left with two questions: can I recommend to students; should I read it myself? The verdict on Wright's book is Yes on both counts. It is a spirited and intelligent introduction to the Fifth Republic which gets the tricky balance between factual grounding and analysis about right. Yet even the specialist on France will find the discussion of staple issues profitably cogent." Martin Harrison, Political Studies