How do European states adjust to international markets? Why do French governments of both left and right face a crisis of public confidence? In this book, leading experts on France chart the dramatic changes that have taken place in its polity, economy and society since the 1980s and develop an analysis of social change relevant to all democracies. Exploring immigration, industrial relations, generational conflict, and politics, they find the roots of discontent in the transformation of a society exemplifying a "new" Europe.

How do European states adjust to international markets? Why do French governments of both left and right face a public confidence crisis? In this book, leading experts on France chart the dramatic changes that have taken place in its polity, economy and society since the 1980s and develop an analysis of social change relevant to all democracies.