French democracy in Distress

“This book tackles the contemporary democratic malaise in France head-on. It presents an impressive collection of conceptual and empirical analyses of the increasing gap between the French citizens’ aspirations and their unresponsive and increasingly insulated political elites.”

—Hanspeter Kriesi, European University Institute, Italy

“This groundbreaking book offers a brilliant analysis of France’s democratic challenges, masterfully combining elite and citizen perspectives. The authors not only diagnose and deconstruct the growing divide but propose to study innovative solutions to reconnect politics and society.”
—Jean-Benoît Pilet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

“Bringing together leading scholars, this book provides a timely and essential analysis of the strains confronting democracy in contemporary France. The volume offers a vital resource that illuminates not only the French case but speaks to the wider challenges facing democracies today.”
—Natasha Wunsch, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Authoritarian populism is challenging contemporary democracies, prompting concern about their resilience. Using France as a magnifying lens, this book adopts a cautiously optimistic perspective. It argues that the gap is widening between political elites and ordinary citizens, the French remain strongly committed to democratic values  Far from turning away from democracy, they call for greater participation and responsiveness from their institutions. French democracy is on a razor's edge, as frustrated citizens' expectations mount and attainable reforms await implementation.

Élodie Druez is F.R.S.-FNRS Research Fellow at the GERME, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.

Frédéric Gonthier is Full Professor of Political Science at Sciences Po Grenoble, University of Grenoble-Alpes, Pacte CNRS, France.

Camille Kelbel is Scientific Advisor at the Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS), Belgium.

Nonna Mayer is CNRS Research Director Emerita at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics of Sciences Po (CEE), France.

Felix-Christopher von Nostitz is Associate Professor in Political Science, ESPOL-LAB, Catholic University of Lille, France.

Vincent Tiberj is Full Professor of Political Science at Sciences Po Bordeaux, Centre Emile Durkheim (CED), France.