France: the construction and reconstruction of the centre, 1945-86

In: West European politics, Band 10, Heft Oct 87

Abstract

Osmotic relations lie between local and national elites, and the presence of a powerful central state administration at local level has generally ensured politics of compromise, collaboration and pragmatism. The Socialist government reforms of 1981-86 are a clear illustration of this: far from being radical and socialist, they reflect the consensus within the political elites and the constant search for a mythical reconciliation between local diversity and republican uniformity. (Abstract amended)