Local Politics and Participation in Britain and France

This book provides a unique comparative study of the involvement of average citizens in local politics and government between national elections.

Albert Mabileau (Edited by), George Moyser (Edited by), Geraint Parry (Edited by), Patrick Quantin (Edited by)

9780521345767, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 February 1990

288 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.55 kg

Local participation can and does influence the political process. Local Politics and Participation in Britain and France, first published in 1990, provides a unique comparative study of the involvement of average citizens in local politics and government between national elections. The work of Professor Mabileau and his colleagues will illuminate the nature of contemporary processes of participation at a time when the local level of government, administration and participation democracy are topics of renewed interest in all Western democracies. French and British teams explore the salient differences between the two local government systems - both of which have been reformed. Through a series of local case studies, they examine levels of individual and group participation, mobilisation into single-issue protest groups, links between councillors and the local electorate, and the importance of local context in participation patterns. Local Politics and Participation in Britain and France is a product of collaborative research carried out at the Universities of Manchester and Bordeaux. The results are based on surveys of ordinary people as well as on interviews with local leaders. They will be equally of interest to academics - students and specialists of British and French politics, local government, participation and democratic theory - and to local party workers and activists.

List of figures and tables
Preface
Part I. Scope and Context: 1. People and local politics: themes and concepts Albert Mabileau, George Moyser, Geraint Parry and Patrick Quantin
2. Local government in Britain and local politics and administration in France Albert Mabileau
Part II. Participation: Introduction
3. Participation and non-participation in a French town Patrick Quantin
Conclusion
Part III. Political Mobilisation: Introduction
5. Political mobilisation in France: a study of local protest Philippe Garraud
6. Local political mobilisation: a case study of a Welsh community David Cleaver
Conclusion
Part IV. Local Elites, Groups and Citizens: Introduction
7. Councillors, issue agendas and political action in two French towns Richard Balme
8. Councillors, citizens and agendas: aspects of local decision-making in Britain George Moyser and Geraint Parry
Conclusion
Part V. Community or Locality?: Introduction
9. Community, locality and political action: two British case studies compared George Moyser and Geraint Parry
10. In search of community spirit Patrick Quantin
Conclusion
Part VI. Conclusions: 11. Participation and the local polity in France and Britain Albert Mabileau, George Moyser, Geraint Parry and Patrick Quantin
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Regional government [JPR]