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LINK TO...
FRANCE HOME
PAGE
SOURCES OF
POWER
COMPACTS AND
CONSTITUTIONALTY
HISTORICAL
INFLUENCES
POLITICAL CULTURE
POLITICAL
CHANGE
SOCIETY
AND POLITICS
CITIZEN AND
STATE
POLITICAL
FRAMEWORK
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ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND GEOGRAPHICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
French political culture is greatly influence by
economic, social, and geographical characteristics
of France.
Important characteristics of the French
population have shaped the political culture.
France is the least densely populated country in
Europe, with an approximate population of 60
million. Although the typical French citizen lives
in an urban area today, the agricultural areas of
France remain strong. A big social and economic gap
exists between Parisians and the rest of the
country with per capita income in Paris about 60%
higher than in the rest of the country. The
Northeast Quadrant around Paris is highly urbanized
and industrialized, while the west and the south
remain rural and agricultural. France is famous for
its wine, produce, poultry, grains, and geese.
The geography of France has influenced its
political, economic, and cultural development. Its
fertile soil has played a large role in the
country's reputation as a world culinary center.
France has extensive coastal areas on the Atlantic
Ocean, English Channel, and Mediterranean Sea, so
fishing and shipping play a significant role in the
French economy.
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IMPORTANCE OF IDEOLOGY AND HISTORY -The
French are fascinated with their own history and
love abstract and symbolic discussions. Perhaps
this modern characteristic has its roots in the
days of the absolute monarchs when intellectuals
and bourgeoisie had no status, and in response to
their demands, the monarchs gave them the right to
discuss abstractions freely.
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DISTRUST OF GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS - The
modern tendency to distrust government probably has
its roots in the French Revolution and the
resulting conflicts between monarchists and
republicans. The tendency to think that centralized
government is not to be trusted does not affect the
loyalty that the local government officials or
representatives inspire. The citizen seems to
believe that all deputies to the National Assembly
are not to be trusted, with the exception of
his/her own.
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NATIONALISM - The legitimacy of the
government is based largely on a broad-based
nationalism, a pride in France, love of history,
and instinct to preserve French culture that is
alive in the hearts of most French citizens.
Despite the conflict and disagreements, French
political culture is held together by this very
important nationalism.
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CONFLICTUAL POLITICAL CULTURE - A very strong
characteristic of the French political culture is the
agreement to disagree. The division in political opinions
into "left" and "right" goes back to the French Revolution,
and remains an important force today. Consensus often has
been reached by uniting behind a strong, charismatic leader,
only to be lost when the leader dies or goes into disfavor.
Cycles of consensus followed by alienation seem to be
typical of the French political culture.
Visit a site with lots of
facts
and figures about
France...
Or, for a taste of nationalism, listen to
the French
national anthem...
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