Democratizing France
The Political and Administrative History of Decentralization

This 1991 book focuses on the decentralization reforms legislated by the Socialist government in France from 1982 to 1986.

Vivien A. Schmidt (Author)

9780521391566, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 March 1991

420 pages, 11 b/w illus. 18 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm, 0.79 kg

"...a comprehensive and thoroughly documented treatment of decentralization--its history, its ideology, its political consequences, and its shortcomings. In its sweep and detail, it complements, updates, and goes beyond existing studies...." The Review of Politics

The focus of this 1991 book is on the decentralization reforms legislated by the Socialist government in France from 1982 to 1986. These reforms redefined the role of the central state in the periphery and gave extensive new powers to territorial governments. Vivien Schmidt examines these reforms and their impact in comparative historical perspective. Tracing the history of decentralization from the French Revolution to the present, the book highlights the significant reforms at the beginning of the Third Republic in the 1870s. It then analyses the actual impact of the reforms of both the 1870s and the 1980s on local government institutions and processes. Professor Schmidt uses an innovative mix of methods borrowed from political sociology and cultural anthropology, combined with historical analysis and extensive interviews with national and local politicians and civil servants. She provides important theoretical insights into the changing nature of the French state in addition to revealing significant historical patterns.

Preface
Part I. The Political History of Decentralization from the French Revolution to the Present: Introduction: when political interest leads to disinterested politics
1. The legislative history of recurring centralization from the French Revolution to the Third Republic
2. The triumph of decentralization during the Third Republic
3. The unsuccessful push for decentralization from the Fourth Republic through the conservative Fifth Republic
4. Legislating decentralization in the administration of local government: the reforms of the socialist Fifth Republic
5. Legislating decentralization in the politics of local government
Part II. The Impact of Decentralization on Local Politics and Administration: Introduction: when informal rules become formal roles
6. When informal rules counter formal roles: local government before the socialist reforms of the Fifth Republic
7. Rhetoric versus reality in local government: local politics and administration before the socialist Fifth Republic
8. When informal rules become formal roles: the new pluralism in the institutions and processes of local government
9. Unblocking society by decree: the transformation of the politico-administrative system
10. A new rhetoric and a new reality in local government: local politics and administration in the socialist Fifth Republic and beyond
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Central government policies [JPQB]