This volume analyzes the notion of the French exception & the ways in which it has informed both academic analysis & political commentary on France today. Adopting a comparative & interdisciplinary approach, the book examines the resilience of the notion of French exceptionalism & evaluates its relevance in a changing global context.

Challenging the notion that there was no "popular imperialism" in France, this book examines the importance of France's colonial role in the development of French society and culture after 1870. It assesses the impact of colonial propaganda on public attitudes and the relationship between imperialism, republicanism, and nationalism. It analyzes the representations of empire, traces the development of a colonial "science" and discusses the enduring importance of images and symbols of empire in contemporary France.

Challenging the notion that there was no 'popular imperialism' in France, this important new book examines the importance of France's colonial role in the development of French society and culture after 1870. It assesses the impact of colonial propaganda on public attitudes in France and the relationship between French imperialism, republicanism and nationalism. It analyses metropolitan representations of empire, traces the development of a colonial 'science' and discusses the enduring importance of images and symbols of empire in contemporary France. It will be of interest to students of imperial, social and cultural history as well as to historians of contemporary France.

Analyzes the notion of the French exception and the ways in which it has informed both academic analysis and political commentary on France today. Adopting a comparative and interdisciplinary approach it examines the resilience of the notion of French exceptionalism and evaluates its relevance in a changing domestic and global context.