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Lecture 7: France 1 The French search for stability. France - 12 different regimes since 1789. In 4th Republic, 1946 1958, governments had average life of 6 months, yet only 3 general elections. The tradition was to have the legislature dominate the executive. 1958 General De Gaulle came to power and oversaw the drawing up of constitution which profoundly altered the relationships of Frances political institutions. Cconstitutions meaning not always precise, leads todifferent interpretations of e.g. powers of president. A semi-presidential system. Biggest change made executive dominant over legislature. Executive has 2 posts, an executive President and Prime minister. Since 1962, president directly elected for 7 year term, now reduced to 5 years. Ggives presidency enormous political legitimacy, as he is choice of over 50% of electorate. Presidency is most single important elected post in French political system. The Powers of the President. Cconstitution states president is guardian of constitution and arbiter ensuring regular functioning of public authorities and continuity of the state. Lots of room for interpretation. He chooses Prime Minister, and can accept his resignation, in practice, sacking PM. He can dissolve parliament, not obliged to present himself to parliament to answer questions. He can only be impeached by parliament for ill health or high treason. He can call for a referendum, by-passing parliament and political parties. He signs treaties - dominates foreign affairs. The powers of the Prime Minister. Depends in on whether majority in Assembly is same political tendency as president. I.e. Pres of right & Assembly of right. If yes, President dominates, PM is expendable. Pres can interfere in day to day politics. If no, i.e. Pres of right & Assembly of left (e.g. 1997-2002) Pres is weakened, cohabitation exists. PM as stipulated by constitution: shall direct the operation of the government. Pres less likely to intervene in day to day politics, concentrates of foreign policy and not able to dismiss PM. The powers of the government. Members of government cannot be MP. Government cannot pass laws without parliament, but some laws not detailed, government who decides what these should be. If parliament is slow, government can enact legislation via decree. Government can oblige assembly to vote on a law as a matter of governments responsibility; the deputies have to pass law, or the govmnt will fall. Used to prop up small majorities. Assembly is not allowed to propose or amend a law changing governments budget. The Powers of Parliament. Compared to US Senate, very weak. Committees scrutinise proposed laws, but only number 6, have too many deputies and have no powers to compel ministers or civil servants to testify. Ministers question time by written questions only, no follow up questions allowed, media and public are not interested. A parliamentary career not seen as worthwhile in itself. Only time censure motion worked in 1962, PM Pompidou and his Govmt resigned, reinstated by president following day.

Parliament more important in times of cohabitation. The French State and Society. 1789 revolution established state as only entity that could ensure creation of society based on Liberty, Fraternity and Equality. Reality was France was and still is very divided. State acted for general good, unlike organised interests within society - driven by personal interest and tended to divide society. Le Chapelier law passed in 1791 outlawed all intermediary bodies, trade unions, trade associations, political parties etc. State developed tradition of training its own experts, little need for outside consultation prior to passing laws, severely limited growth of a civil society - no tradition of negotiation. The Associative movement. Loi Chapelier repealed 1884, right of association passed 1901.

If organisations satisfied criteria, had proper statutes and non-profit motives - could

receive state subsidies. They had to register with state. Given statist tradition and cultural distrust of private interests, union movement, political parties etc remained weak. State intervened in all realms of society, e.g. education system, health, economy etc, could be argued it left no room for civil society. Post WW2, with industrialisation & urbanisation state had to consult more. A weak civil society? Associations of all sorts of interests do exist, but with a few exceptions, their influence on state remains low. Most successful those representing well organised economic interests, big business and farmers, or professional bodies e.g. medical. Problem is that governments always question Associations claims of being representative versus the state acting for the whole. Civil society most potent & successful at local levels, where it is easier, because of effective local politics e.g. elected mayors, to apply meaningful pressure. Means French society has developed other mechanisms to influence state a revolutionary tradition? Political culture reflects tradition of the state and revolutionary activity as being a ligitimate form of political activity?