Description
Book Synopsis The notion of French exceptionalism is deeply embedded in the nation's self-image and in a range of political and academic discourses. Recently, the debate about whether France really is "exceptional" has acquired a critical edge. Against the background of introspection about the nature of "national identity," some proclaim "normalisation" and the end of French exceptionalism, while others point out to the continuing evidence that France remains distinctive at a number of levels, from popular culture to public policy. This book explores the notion of French exceptionalism, places it in its European context, examines its history and evaluate its continuing relevance in a range of fields from politics and public policy to popular culture and sport.
Trade Review "[A] thorough cut at the notion of French exceptionalism, and it should be useful for French specialists as well as scholars of other areas who wish to study France in comparative perspective." H-France
Table of Contents Foreword
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
PART I: PROBLEMATISING EXCEPTIONALISM
Chapter 1. France and Exceptionalism
Nick Hewlett
Chapter 2. Exceptionalism and Universalism: The Uneasy Alliance in the French-speaking World
Margaret A. Majumdar
Chapter 3. The Elusive French Exception
Sue Collard
PART II: EXCEPTIONALISM IN POLITICS AND POLICY
Chapter 4. French Communism: An Exceptional Orthodoxy
David S. Bell
Chapter 5. Does it Make Sense to Treat the Front National as a ‘French Exception’?
Emmanuel Godin
Chapter 6. The French Administrative Exception: Change and Resistance
Anne Stevens
Chapter 7. French Industrial Relations – Still Exceptional?
Nick Parsons
Chapter 8. The French Socialists, Dirigisme and the Troubled Europeanisation of Employment Policy
Ben Clift
Chapter 9. French Foreign and Defence Policy: Exceptional in Methods and Rhetoric?
Janet Bryant
PART III: EXCEPTIONALISM IN FRENCH CULTURE, THE MEDIA AND SPORT
Chapter 10. Presidential Debates in France: An Example of Americanisation?
Sheila Perry
Chapter 11. The Myth of Exceptionalism? French Television in a West European Context
Raymond Kuhn
Chapter 12. Cultural Exception(s) in French Cinema
Brigitte Rollet
Chapter 13. Sport and Politics: Another French Exception
Patrick Mignon
Chapter 14. French Intellectuals: the Legendary Exception
Michael Kelly
Bibliography
Notes on Contributors
Index
