Politics in France and Europe

PASCAL PERRINEAU is Professor and head of the Centre for Political Research
(CEVIPOF) Sciences Po, Paris, France.

LUC ROUBAN is CNRS Research Director at the CEVIPOF, Sciences Po, Paris,
France.

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:
Political Representation in Crisis; P.Perrineau
Political Values and Attitudes in Europe; E.Schweisguth
Religion and Politics; J.Donegani
Gender and Politics; J.Mossuz-Lavau
Young People and Politics; A.Muxel
Interest Groups in France and in Europe; E.Grossman
Unions and Politics; G.Groux
Political and Administrative Elites; L.Rouban
The Media and the Search for Political Information; A.Mercier
What Remains of the Class Vote?; N.Mayer
The Green Movement; D.Boy
Socialism in Europe; H.Rey
The Political Right in France and Europe; F.Haegel
National-Populism; P.Perrineau
France and Europe; L.Rouban