From State to Market?
The Transformation of French Business and Government

From State to Market examines the changing role of the French state in the economy between 1981 and 1995 and its impact on business.

Vivien A. Schmidt (Author)

9780521555531, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 April 1996

494 pages, 13 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm, 0.72 kg

"...this is an excellent book that presents a great deal of information about the transformation of the French economy in the 1980's and early 1990's and provides a starting point for future research. Anyone interested in French political and economic development and the prospects for European economic integration will profit from reading it." Michael S. Smith, Business History Review

The Mitterrand years saw the transformation of business and its relationship to government. From State to Market, first published in 1996, details the governmental policies toward business that went from nationalization to privatization, deregulation, and ever-increasing European integration, bringing with them the move from a dirigiste, or state-directed, economy to a more market-oriented one. Professor Schmidt profiles the players, the interpenetrating elite of top business and government officials who share common state educational history and career track and who, as the beneficiaries of the all-pervasive culture of the state, have managed not only to maintain their hold in the ministries but also to colonize industry. This book, which spans the fields of public policy and political economy, contains both empirical information - the results of over forty interviews with top business and government officials - and a theoretical framework that sets French state-society relations in comparative perspective.

Foreword
Introduction: Modernizing France
Part I. Restating Public Policy: France in Comparative Perspective: 1. Between states and society
2. The statist pattern of policymaking
Part II. Modernizing Government: the Policies Toward Business: 3. Building the dirigiste state
4. From dirigisme to disengagement
5. Dirigiste disengagement
6. Everyday disengagement
Part III. Between Ministry and Industry: the Process of Policymaking: 7. In the ministries
8. Between ministry and industry
Part IV. Elites in Ministries and Industries: the Players in the Policymaking Process: 9. Elites in the ministries and industries
10. Explaining elite dominance: the idea of the state as state of mind, or esprit d'état comme état d'esprit
Part V. Modernizing Business: The Changes in Economic Profile and Management Practice: 11. Revitalizing the economy
12. Restructuring French capitalism: the impact of changes in state ownership and control
13. Reforming managerial practice
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP]