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THE BUREAUCRACY |
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Policy making in the French political system is strongly influenced by an elite corps of former and current civil servants. Whereas in England the bureaucrats seldom held elected governmental or outside positions, in France political parties, the National Assembly, the Cabinet, and big business are dominated by former civil servants. The elite, or "political
class", in France are a relatively small group
(15-20,000), the top level of which are sometimes
called The Grands Corps. The vast
majority of the current political decision makers
are drawn from the The Grands Corps. The
recruitment base of the highest levels of civil
service is extremely narrow, and even though the
government has attempted to broaden the base, the
ranking bureaucracy has formed a virtual hereditary
class. The recruitment process for the highest levels of the bureaucracy invariably includes an education in one or more of the grandes ecoles, particularly the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA) and Ecole Polytechnique. The Grands Corps is a highly competent, well educated group of administrators that frequently serve special missions or assignments. Many of their careers continue as deputies, cabinet members, and/or business leaders. The elite is highly integrated and plays a major role in decision making in and outside of government. Each cabinet member is advised by a personal staff of top bureaucrats, who advise him/her on policy and party matters, and informally supervise the bureaucracy in the minister's name. The entire French bureaucracy is
huge, including today about 2 1/2 million people.
The strength of the bureaucracy is historical,
going back to the days of the absolute monarchs,
and its influence is reinforced by the tradition of
statism. 
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