Third & Fourth Republics: Parliamentary systems with Prime Minister responsible to Parliament. Typical of Parliamentary democracies, P.M. could be replaced by a simple majority vote of no confidence in the Assembly. All governments were coalitions since no party controlled a majority. Result: Frequent changes in P.M. since relatively minor defections from the governing coalition resulted in lack of majority support.

1958 Fifth Republic Constitution: drafted by de Gaulle, approved in referendum as a condition for his becoming leader during Algerian crisis. Proposed a more powerful President; President could dissolve Par liament; submit legislation directly to the people through referenda; rule through emergency powers during a crisis. National Assembly (lower house of the bicameral legislature) elected every five years if not dissolved. President chooses Cabinet. Parliam ent can try to remove P.M. through censure vote, but result will be new elections.

• Family
• Associations
• Education
• Communication Media

• Elections are frequent at both national and local levels
• France was first country in Europe with mass franchise
• Women’s suffrage granted in 1944
• Traditionally high level of voter turnout
• Increasing level of non-voting over last twenty years

1. How does the structure of French government reflect both recent French historical experience and the realities of French political culture?
2. Which elements of French political culture do you consider as supportive of democracy? Which elements of the structure of French government reflect these democratic principles?

• For the National assembly, candidates compete in 577 electoral districts. Candidates who win more than 50% of votes cast, win. This is rare. More normally, there is a second round where candidates with less than 12.5% of th e vote are eliminated. Through agreements between parties, other weaker candidates frequently withdraw, usually leaving only two or three candidates competing. In this run-off, the candidate with the most votes wins.
• Senate—elected by an electoral college that represents localities.
• Presidential elections—Many candidates tend to contest the first round of direct Presidential elections. If no candidate receives 50% of the vote, the top two candidates meet in a run-off election two weeks later.

Political Parties

• Role of Executive: The executive has the primary role in making policy in the French political system. If both P.M. and President are of the same party, the President has traditionally played the dominant role. If there is cohabitation, the P.M. has been dominant in domestic policy while the President has focused on national symbolism and to some extent on foreign policy. Policy proposals go from the Cabinet to the legislature. Generally, legislation is broad and is impleme nted through directives designed by the executive after the passage of the enabling legislation.
• Role of Parliament: Parliament must pass legislation, but much government control over important measures. Government can prohibit amendments; government can label bill "government responsibility," thereby forcing the Assembly to acquiesce to the bill or face new elections [actually, the bill is assumed to be passed unless the assembly adopts a motion of censure which would disapprove of the bill and probably lead to new elections]. The Senate can delay the implementation of a law that the Assembly ha s passed, but cannot prevent its application. The delay is cased because when the Senate does not approve a bill it is returned to the Assembly for further consideration. If the Assembly passes the bill again it becomes law without the Senate’s approval. Its assent is, however, required for passage of constitutional amendments.
• Role of the Judiciary: The 1958 Constitution established a Constitutional Council which may review the constitutionality of some legislation if requested by the heads of the Assembly, the Senate, the President or a group of 60 legislators. In practice , this provision has been used frequently and the Council has frequently declared parts of laws invalid. The Council of state provides recourse for citizens who feel that laws may have violated the constitution; it can provide for damages and annul the de cisions of government officials. The council of state is also regularly consulted before the government sends bills to the Parliament.

1. Why does the French legislative electoral system not lead to a two party system as in the US?
2. What elements of the French legislative process seem less democratic? Explain.
3. How have the British and French historical experiences led to differing roles for political parties, the legislature and the judiciary?

• Unitary state
• 22 Regions
• Prefect ("governor")
• Regional assembly
• 100 departments
• Prefect ("governor")
• Department councils
• Communes

Distribution of wealth: despite government efforts, extensive inequality exists. Now poorest seem to be the young rather than the old, particularly single parents.

• Heavy reliance on indirect taxes (sales rather than income).
• Extensive social welfare programs and health and social security.
• Programs are supported by most parties.

• Economy
• Education
• Immigration
• European Integration.