Bourgeois Politics in France, 1945–1951

This 1995 book is a pioneering study of the defence of French bourgeois interests and the nature of French conservatism.

Richard Vinen (Author)

9780521522762, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 July 2002

316 pages, 2 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.47 kg

"...Vinen's special focus on the connections among the middle-class political parties, important business organizations...and the upper reaches of the civil service is unique...The great merit of Vinen's account, however, is to show that the post-World War II reconstruction of France began as a class affair in which, for a time, the bourgeousie triumphed over all others." The Historian

This 1995 book is a general study of politics and society in the Fourth Republic and is founded on extensive primary research. It approaches the period in terms of successful conservatism rather than thwarted reform, maintaining that conservatism in France was a more subtle, dynamic force than has previously been appreciated. Not the preserve of any one single party, conservative ideas were often defended by institutions outside the realm of explicit politics altogether, such as business associations, civil service departments and the law courts. It is proposed that conservatives did not simply return to French politics in 1945 untouched by the events of the previous five years. The experiences of Vichy, the occupation and the purges produced new kinds of political synthesis, making conservatives more dynamic and receptive to change than their 'progressive' opponents.

1. Introduction
2. Historiographic overview
3. International comparisons
4. Notables
5. Bourgeois parties and the female electorate
6. Organized business and politics
7. Administration
8. Opposition nationale
9. The Parti Republicain de la Liberté
10. Machine á ramasser les Pétainistes?
11. The Rassemblement des Gauches Républicaines
12. The Rassemblement du Peuple Français
13. Independents and Peasants
14. The Groupement de Défense des Contribuables
15. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000 [HBLW3], European history [HBJD]