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France

GOVT 122: Comparative Politics
Sweet Briar College
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Clem
For use of enrolled SBC students ONLY.

Years Leader(s)
1950- ???
1955- ???, De Gaulle
1960- De Gaulle
1965- De Gaulle
1970- Pompidou
1975- d'Estaing
1980- Mitterand
1985- Mitterand
1990- Mitterand
1995- Chirac
2000- Chirac
2005- Chirac, Sarkozy

Years indicated above are approximate. For more detail, see the Foreign Leaders page, with a year-by-year chronology.

Basic facts:
Political system:Semi-presidential republic
National leader:Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy (2007-)
Structure:Unitary
Regime founded:1958
Democracy:Established
Population:59 million
Per capita GDP:$26,052

Distinctive features:

  • Confusion over powers of president vs. premier
  • "Mission civilizatrice" -- French cultural imperialism persists.
  • Class conflict, absence of political compromise.
  • Immigration
  • Economic nationalism vs. pragmatic adaptation
 France map

To see a continental-scale map, roll the mouse over the map above.
Click on it to see a key that explains the map symbols.

Political parties:

Name Misc. left Socialist Others Union for a Popular Movement
Seats*: 30 186 45 313

NOTES: * Seats in lower house.
SOURCES: Mark Kessleman, et al., Introduction to Comparative Politics; CIA World Factbook, various newspapers.

Web links

Embassy of France in the U.S.

Paris Post Election Riot (youtube.com)