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Abstract
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.
"[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
Emmanuel Godin is Senior lecturer in French and European Studies at the University of Porstmouth
Tony Chafer is Principal Lecturer in French and African Studies at the University of Portsmouth.
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title Page | iii | ||
| Table of Contents | vii | ||
| Foreword | ix | ||
| Introduction | xiii | ||
| Part I: Problematising Exceptionalism | 1 | ||
| Chapter 1: France and Exceptionalism | 3 | ||
| Chapter 2: Exceptionalism and Universalism: The Uneasy Alliance in the French-speaking World | 16 | ||
| Chapter 3: The Elusive French Exception | 30 | ||
| Part II: Exceptionalism in Politics and Policy | 45 | ||
| Chapter 4: French Communism: An Exceptional Orthodoxy | 47 | ||
| Chapter 5: Does it Make Sense to Treat the Front National as a 'French Exception'? | 61 | ||
| Chapter 6: The French Administrative Exception: Change and Resistance | 76 | ||
| Chapter 7: French Industrial Relations - Still Execeptional? | 91 | ||
| Chapter 8: The French Socialists, Dirigisme and the Troubled Europeanisation of Employment Policy | 106 | ||
| Chapter 9: French Foreign and Defence Policy: Exceptional in Methods and Rhetoric? | 121 | ||
| Part III: Exceptionalism in French Culture, the Media and Sport | 137 | ||
| Chapter 10: Presidential Debates in France: An Example of Americanisation? | 139 | ||
| Chapter 11: The Myth of Exceptionalism? French Television in a West European Context | 151 | ||
| Chapter 12: Cultural Exception(s) in French Cinema | 167 | ||
| Chapter 13: Sport and Politics: Another French Exception | 179 | ||
| Chapter 14: French Intellectuals: The Legendary Exception | 193 | ||
| Bibliography | 209 | ||
| Notes on Contributors | 235 | ||
| Index | 238 |